Sacred Didactics

By J. W. McGarvey

Chapter 9

BAPTISM

 J. Baptism.

A. The facts:

1. John baptized in Jordan. Matthew 3:6.

2. Those baptized by John confessed their sins. Matthew 3:6.

3. John baptized in water in order to repentance. Matthew 3:11.

4. Christ to baptize in Holy Spirit and with fire. Matthew 3:11.

5. Jesus baptized to fulfill all righteousness. Matthew 3:15.

6. After baptism, Christ came up from water. Matthew 3:16.

7. Holy Spirit given to Jesus after baptism. Matthew 3:16.

8. Last sufferings of Christ called baptism. Matthew 20:22.

9. Believers among all nations to be baptized. Matthew 28:19.

10. Baptism is into name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19.

11. John's baptism was baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3-12.

12. Pharisees baptized themselves. Mark 7:4-8.

13. Salvation promised to baptized believers. Mark 16:15-16.

14. John baptized at Bethany beyond Jordan. John 1:28.

15. John came baptizing in order that Jesus might be manifested to Israel. Mark 1. 74

16. John baptized in Aenon because much water was there. John 3:23.

17. Dispute about purification. John 3:25.

18. Jesus made and baptized disciples. John 4:1.

19. Baptism in Holy Spirit promised to the twelve Apostles. Acts 1:4.

20. All sinners to be baptized for remission of sins. Acts 2:38.

21. The Holy Spirit promised to those baptized. Acts 2:38.

22. Those baptized on Pentecost gladly received the word. Acts 2:41.

23. Three thousand baptized in one afternoon. Acts 2:41.

24. Philip baptized both men and women. Acts 8:12.

25. The Samaritans received miraculous gifts of Holy Spirit after baptism. Acts 8:16; see also 19:5-6.

26. Philip and Eunuch went down into the water and came up out of the water. Acts 8:38.

27. Eunuch rejoiced after baptism. Acts 8:39.

28. The fact that Cornelius received the Holy Spirit proved to Peter that he should be baptized. Acts 10:47.

29. Cornelius and friends baptized in Holy Spirit. Acts 11:15-17.

30. Household baptisms. Acts 10:47; 16:15; 16:31.

31. Jailor and his house were baptized at 12 P.M. Acts 16:32.

32. Jailor rejoiced after baptism.

33. Baptized same hour he believed.

34. Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8.

35. The Holy Spirit was not given in connection with John's baptism. Acts 19:3-5.

36. Paul was baptized to wash away his sins calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16.

37. Paul was baptized, then took food. Acts 22:16.

38. Men are baptized into Christ. Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27.

39. Those baptized into Christ were baptized into His death. Romans 6:3.

40. Buried with Him by baptism. Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12.

41. Object of burial with Him is that we may walk in a new life. Romans 6:4.

42. Assuming a man's name implies baptism into his name. I Corinthians 1:13.

43. Paul sent not to baptize but to preach the Gospel. I Corinthians 1:17.

44. Israel baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. I Corinthians 10:2.

45. By one spirit all baptized into one body. I Corinthians 12:13.

46. Baptism for dead I Corinthians 15:29.

47. Put on Christ by baptism into Christ. Galatians 3:27.

48. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. Ephesians 4:5.

49. Circumcised by Christ when buried with him by baptism. Colossians 2; 11-13.

50. The "doctrine" of baptism. Hebrews 6:2.

51. Divers baptisms in the law. Hebrews 9:10.

52. Baptism an antitype of the water of the flood. I Peter 3:20-21.

53. Baptism now saves us. I Peter 3:20-21.

54. Value not in cleansing flesh, but in seeking good con­science and this through resurrection of Christ

II. Classification:

A. What baptism is. Facts:1, 3, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 17 19. 23, 26, 31, 40, 44, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51.

B. Who is to be baptized. Facts:2, 9, 13, 18, 20, 24, 30, 34.

C. What baptism is for. Facts:3, 5, 10, 11, 13, 17, 20, 22, 27, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 49, 52, 53, 54.

D. Peculiarities of John's baptism. Facts:1, 15, 18, 35.

E. Connection of baptism and gift of Holy Spirit. Facts:7, 21, 25, 28, 35.

F. What the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Facts:4, 19, 29, 45.

III. What is baptism?

A. The facts.

1. John baptized in the Jordan. Matthew 3:5-6.

2. John baptized in Bethany beyond Jordan. John 1:28.

3. John baptized in Aenon because much water was there. John 3:25.

4. John baptized in water. Matthew 3:11.

5. Jesus when baptized came up out of water. Matthew 3:16.

6. Philip and the Eunuch went down into and came up out of the water. Acts 8:38.

7. In baptism buried with Christ. Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12.

8. Fathers baptized in cloud and in the sea. I Corinthians 10:2.

9. Christ's last suffering called baptism. Matthew 20:22.

10. Jailor went out at midnight to be baptized. Acts 16:16:33.

11. Baptism for the dead. I Corinthians 15:29.

12. One baptism. Ephesians 4:5.

13. Doctrine of baptism. Hebrews 6:2.

14. Divers baptisms in the law. Hebrews 9:10.

15. Dispute on the subject of justification with baptism. John 3:25-26.

16. Pharisees baptized. Mark 7:4-8.

17. The twelve baptized in the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4; 2:2-17.

18. Three thousand baptized in one afternoon. Acts 2:41.

B. Three theories:

1. Affusion alone.

2. Sometimes affusion, sometimes immersion.

3. Immersion alone.

C. Conditions of proof:

1. The true theory must harmonize with the facts.

2. To prove theory 1, must prove affusion and show that facts do not harmonize with and prove immer­sion.

3. To prove theory 2, must prove that both are contained in facts.

4. To prove theory 3, must prove immersion and show that facts do not prove affusion.

D. Argument for first theory.

1. First theory—affusion alone.

a. Proof of affusion.

(1) Argued first from fact 14 (above) many sprinklings but no immersions in the law.

(a) Answer first: No sprinkling of water alone. Only sprinkling of water mixed with blood or ashes of red heifer. Numbers 19:9; Ezekiel 36:25. With blood in cleansing of lepers. Leviticus 14; with ashes in common purification. Numbers 19.

(b) Answer second: After each of these sprinkl­ings, bathing.

(c) Answer third: Twelve cases (in Leviticus 16, three more cases; in Leviticus 17, one case and two in Numbers 19) which bathing typified sprinkling of the blood of Christ followed by immersion.

(2) Argued second from fact 15 (above.) Jewish purifications were by sprinkling. John baptiz­ed to suggest this—must have been the same action.

(a) Answer first: Prove above that Jewish purification was of sprinkling only so far as used: but by bathing in water.

(b) Answer second: As John's baptism was in water must have been like bathing to sug­gest purification.

(c) Answer third: More likely purification sug­gested by baptism for remission of sins.

(3) Argued third from fact 16 (above.) Absurd to immerse containers, etc., after being in the market.

(a) Answer first: Baptizing these things was some ceremony not needed for cleanliness. Hence was absurd to dip them to wash them.

(b) Answer second. Immersing themselves an extension of the law concerning the unclean mentioned above.

(4) Argued fourth from fact 17 (above.) The bap­tism in Holy Spirit by proving Acts 1:4; 2:2-17. Hence water baptism the same.

(a) Answer first: The baptism and the pouring different for the Apostles were baptized and the Spirit poured.

(b) Answer second: Use of the word pour is not literal for Spirit is not a fluid or liquid.

(c) Answer third: The baptism took effect on the spirits of the Apostles and their spirits were immersed in the Holy Spirit.

(5) Argued fifth from fact 18 (above) Impossible for so many to be immersed in one P. M. by twelve men. Also no water accessible for the purpose.

(a) Answer first: One person a minute ordinari­ly immersed, one man could immerse 270 in four and one-half hours; twelve men could immerse 3,240 in same time.

(b) Answer second: Public pools were abundant. Pool at Bethesda, John 5:2, measured 131 by 365 feet, with a neck 45 by 132 feet; Pool of Siloam, John 9:7-11, on East side of Jerusalem measured 16 by 50 feet; Low­er Gihon, west side of Jerusalem, measur­ed 208 by 315 feet; The Pool of Hezekiah in western part of city measured 126 by 252 feet. See "City of Great King" water supply.

(6) Argued that facts do not prove immersion.

(a.) Affirmative part of theory having failed, not necessary to discuss this.

E. Conclusions as to theories.

1. Facts furnish no evidence for affusion.

2. Second theory of affusion and immersion both. Affusion not being implied in the facts, this theory falls with the first.

F. Third theory—Immersion alone.

1. Proof of immersion.

a. Implied in facts of John's baptism. Facts 1, 3, 4, 5, (above.) These facts cannot be accounted for except by immersion.

(1) Objection first: Much water at Aenon was for stock and purifications.

(a) Answer first: People went on foot. Mat­thew 14:13-21.

(b) Answer second: Text says "baptizing" there because much water was there.

(c) Answer third: Pharisees who used much water in purification rejected John's baptism. Luke 7:30.

(2) Objection second: John baptized in Bethany beyond Jordan, fact 2.

(a) Answer: May have been in Bethany and also in Jordan, Bethany being on bank of Jordan.

b. Second argument: Implied in fact 6; no other way to account for fact.

(1) Objection: Eunuch was reading Isaiah 53. Philip preached from this—sprinkling was in his text. Isaiah 52:15. Therefore must have preached and practiced sprinkling in order to be true to his text.

(a) Answer first: No evidence that Isaiah 52:15 was his text.

(b) Answer second: Christ's sprinkling is the diffusion of his blood. (Albert Barnes).

(c) Eunuch was reading the Septuagint as seen by quotation. This has astonish instead of sprinkle.

(d) Sprinkling could not possibly account for the fact.

c. Third argument: Implied in facts 10, 11, neither accounted for otherwise.

d. Fourth argument: Implied in fact 9. Suffering of Christ could not be metaphorically called an affusion. An Immersion an opposite metaphor. Hence this fact accounted for by immersion.

e. Argument fifth: This the meaning of the word in fact 8. Under cloud and sea was immersion in cloud and sea.

(1) Objection first: Cloud was not spread out. Ex. 14:19, 20.

(a) Answer first: Must have been spread out several miles (three at least) to hide rear of camp. Exodus 14:20.

(b) Answer second: Paul says under cloud, hence spread out over them. (Depth of Red Sea 84 feet, perhaps greater then; breadth twelve miles.)

(2) Objection second: A heavy rain fell which must have sprinkled them. Psalm 77:15-20.

(a) Answer first: They passed through on dry land. Exodus 14:18-22.

(b) Answer second: Cloud over them was a sheet of light. Exodus 14:14-20.

(c) If rain actually fell, it was on Egyptians. Josephus Ant.

f. Sixth argument: Same meaning of the word shown in fact 17 as above.

g. Seventh argument: Immersion actually described in fact 7.

(1) Objection first: If buried like Christ by verse 4, must be crucified like Him by verse 6.

(a) Answer: Not we, but our old man crucified, v. 6.

(2) Objection second: This baptism is the Holy Spirit.

(a) Answer first: Baptism of Spirit is influence of Spirit on the heart.

(b) Answer second: In this no burial or resur­rection.

(c) Answer third: Nothing like burial or resurrection to justify these terms metaphorically.

G. Summary:

1. Circumstantial evidence—force of it.

a. Six circumstances of fact accounted for by immersion, impossible to account for by affusion, facts 3, 4, 5, 6,10.

b. Two circumstances of affusion ditto. Add John 3:5, "born from or out of water." Heb. 10:22, bodies washed in clean water.

c. Two facts showing baptism to be immersion, facts 7,17.

H. Direct testimony.

1. Baptism twice described as burial and resurrection, fact 7.

2. Facts do not prove affusion.

a. Seen above that facts 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, do not.

b. Not proved by any other.

c. Affusion disproved by fact 7.

3. Primary meaning of Greek word baptizo is immerse; this not forbidden by any context hence must be retained. Final conclusion: Theory sustained.

4. There are four points to be made in presenting these facts in the strongest light.

a. Affusion does not account for all these facts.

b. Immersion does.

c. Immersion actively demands these facts.

d. These facts demand immersion to explain them.

IV. Subjects of baptism.

A. Facts:

1. Those baptized by John confessed sins. Matthew 3:5-6.

2. John's a baptism of repentance for remission of sins. Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3.

3. All sinners to repent and be baptized for remission. Acts 2:33-40.

4. Salvation promised to baptized believers. Mark 16:16.

5. Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8.

6. Both men and women were baptized. Acts 8:12.

7. Disciples or an nations to be baptized. Matthew 28:19; John 4:1.

8. Household baptisms. Acts 10:48; 16:15; 16:32; I Corinthians 1:16.

9. Fathers baptized into Moses. I Corinthians 10:2.

B. Two theories.

1. Penitent believers alone.

2. These and their infant children.

C. Conclusions.

1. First theory—affirmative part sustained by facts 1, 7, not offended by 8, 9. Universally admitted. Nega­tive part depends on proof of second theory.

2. Second theory—Part to be proved, that infants are subjects.

a. Argument first from fact 8. Several forms of argu­ment.

(1) "Lydia" such an account of a family baptism on faith of parents. Barnes. Answer true in part, but first, just such an account as of a family without an infant in it, and second, context shows women with her, hence not such an account as is assumed.

(2) "Implies they (infants) baptized because she believed." Barnes.

(a) Answer first:No such implications.

(b) If it were (such implication) it would prove other women baptized because she believed.

3. Real strength of argument not in one case but in repeated mention of whole household as baptized. (Alex. on Acts)

a. Answer first: None of house of Cornelius, Acts 10:46, nor of Jailor, Acts 16:34; nor of Stephanas I Corinthians 1:16; 16:15.

b. To assume any in Lydia's household must first assume Lydia was a married woman and second, she had children, third that some of them were infants.

c. Certain absence from other households establishes presumptive absence from Lydia's.

4. Conclusion.

a. Absence from all; condition of all house being baptized.

(1) Argument second from fact 7. Infants part of all nations therefore the baptized.

(a) Answer first: Argument proves too much— would include wicked and unbelievers.

(b) Answer second: "Them" is masculine; "nations" is neuter, hence reference not to na­tions but those discipled.

(2) Argument third: From tact 9, infants in type therefore must be in antitype.

(a) Answer first: Proves too much. Flocks and herds in type but not in antitype.

(b) Answer second: Wicked men in type but should not be in antitype.

(3) Argument fourth: From identity of Church. Infants in or under old dispensation by express law; must have express law now to exclude them.

(a) Answer first: Churches not identical, but this waived.

(b) Answer second: Terms of new covenant ex­clude them. Hebrews 11:6-12.

(c) Excluded by 11:12. Verse 6 shows this the covenant of which Christ is mediator.

V. Design of baptism.

A. The facts.

1. Jesus was Baptized to fulfill all righteousness. Matthew 3:15.

2. John baptized in water (equals "in" unless forbidden by context or subject) in order to repentance. Mat­thew 3:11.

3. John's baptism was of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3, 12.

4. All sinners to be baptized for the remission of sins. Acts 2:38, 40.

5. Salvation promised to baptized believers. Mark 16:16.

6. Baptism is into name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19. Assuming man's name implies baptism into his name. I Corinthians 1:13.

7. Eunuch rejoiced after baptism. Acts 8:39. Jailor rejoiced after baptism. Acts 16:33. Paul took food after baptism. Acts 22:16.

8. Paul baptized to wash away his sins calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16.

9. Men are baptized into Christ. Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27.

10. Those baptized into Christ were baptized into his death. Romans 6:3.

11. Israel baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. I Corinthians 10:2.

12. Put on Christ by baptism into Christ. Galatians 3:27.

13. Circumcised by Christ when buried with him by baptism. Colossians 2:11-13.

14. Baptism antitype of the water of the flood. I Peter 3:20-21.

15. Baptism now saves us by the seeking of a good con­science. I Peter 3:20-21.

16. Those baptized on Pentecost gladly received the word. Acts 2:41.

17. The fact that Cornelius received the Holy Spirit proved to Peter that he should be baptized. Acts 10:47.

18. Paul sent not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel. I Corinthians 12:13.

19. By one spirit all baptized into one body. I Corinthians 12:13.

B. Conclusions.

1. Necessary in the case of Jesus to fulfill all righteousness, fact 1.

a. Corollary: Equally so with all who are subject to the command.

b. A sin to neglect it.

2. A means of indirectly inducing repentance, fact 2.

a. Corollary: There being no baptism without repentance; design of blessings of baptism prompt­ed to repentance."

b. This not the blessing which follows baptism but an action induced by it.

3. John's baptism for remission of sins, fact 3.

a. Objection: In the expression, "baptism of repent­ance for remission," it is the repentance that is for the remission and not the baptism.

(1) Answer first: Preposition connects its object with leading term preceding. Here it is bap­tism.

(2) Answer second: Parallel passages against the objection. Romans 10:4; Revelation 22:2.

4. Apostolic baptism was in order to remission of sins, fact 4.

a. Objection first: "For" here means "on account of."

(1) Answer first: Suppose it granted "on account of". "It" in reference to a future event is equivalent to "in order to." Remission was yet future to these persons as shown by Acts 2:37, hence "on account of remission."

(2) Answer second: Peter could not possibly have meant because, your sins are remitted for in fact they were not yet remitted.

(3) Answer third:" Repent and be baptized" both sustain same relation to immersion as shown by "unto." Hence if "be baptized" is because sins are remitted; "repent" is also because sins are remitted. This absurd.

(4) Answer fourth: This question if merely one of duty is this; What must believers who are pricked to the heart do?

(a) Answer: Believers who are pricked to the heart must repent and be baptized. But they must have looked to pardon, hence "repent and be baptized" is what must be done for pardon. This follows if for remission erased from the answer.

b. Objection second: They gladly received word, fact 16, hence must have felt pardon before baptism.

(1) Answer: This no proof of pardon but of joy at prospect of pardon. Illustrate by case of a criminal promised pardon upon certain conditions.

5. Salvation promised to baptized believers, fact 5.

a. Salvation is making safe—this only by pardon— hence pardon offered to baptized believers.

(1) Objection: True, but this does not exclude unbaptized believers.

(a) Answer first: Scheme of pardon being one, qualifications once stated always implied; here promised to baptized believers—if given to unbaptized believers—two schemes

(b) Answer second: No reason for saying bap­tized believers if unbaptized the same.

(c) Under commission, Apostles knew their duty only by its terms, hence could promise pardon only to baptized believers. Illustrate by recruiting officers under king. Enlist those only who are eighteen years of age and over five feet, six inches tall.

6. Baptism is in name Father, Son and Holy Spirit, fact 6. "Into name," is "into subjection to anything." None pardoned till subject to this authority, hence none pardoned till baptized (into this authority.)

a. Objection: Not "into" but "in" the name.

(1) Answer first: "In the name' expressed by eis to onoma with dative.

(2) Answer second: No other rendering suits context.

7. First mentioned rejoicing is after baptism, fact 7.

a. But pardon causes joy, hence pardon not received till baptized.

b. Heightened by Saul's case, believed, penitent, prayed three days, yet no peace. Compare Romans 5:1. 8. In baptism, sins are washed away, fact

8. "Washing away" is metaphor for pardon, taken from the washing body in baptism. He commanded to "wash away" because he did the act necessary to it.

a. Objection first: Sins formally and not really washed away.

b. Objection second: If form without reality, then an empty form.

c. Objection third: Sins really forgiven when scales fell off and Spirit given. Acts 9:17, 18.

(1) Answer first: If so, Ananias could not after this say, "Wash away your sins."

(2) Spirit not given before baptism for:

(a) Spirit promised to the immersed. Acts 2:38.

(b). None but Apostles conferred the Spirit. Acts 8:14, 17.

(c) Ananias sent to immerse Saul that he might receive spirit.

(d) All other Apostles and all other disciples received Spirit after baptism, except the household of Cornelius.

d. Objection fourth: Leper formally cleansed after his real cleansing. Matthew 8:1-5.

(a) Answer: Each cleansing was real. First, healing of disease; second removal of legal uncleanness.

9. We are baptized into Christ, fact 9.

a. Those in Christ not condemned, hence pardoned. Romans 8:1. Way into Christ equals way into pardon, therefore, baptized into Christ, baptized into pardon.

b. Fathers baptized into Moses a type of this. As they not out of Pharaoh till into Moses, we not out of Satan till into Christ, hence not far from sin till baptized into Christ.

c. Confirmed by baptism into Christ's death, fact 10. "Into his death" is into benefit of it, this is the remission of sins.

d. Confirmed by fact 12, to "put on Christ" is to come under his protection and control. This implies pardon (and done) in baptism.

10. Circumcised by Christ when buried in baptism.

a. Suntaphi participle buried same time as perietmethente verb circumcise. Colossians 2:11-12.

b. Christ's circumcision is pardon.

c. Therefore pardon and burial at same time.

11. Baptism an antitype of flood.

a. Points of resemblance:

(1) Through water from old world to new.

(2) All wickedness left washed away.

b. Therefore in baptism sin separated and we pass into new state.

12. Baptism now saves being the seeking of a new conscience.

a. Good conscience as soon as pardoned and not before. Baptism is seeking good conscience, hence good conscience not obtained till baptized.

(1) 'Objection: Should be answer and not seeking.

(a) Answer: Noun only one time in New Testament; verb frequently and means ask, hence to seek information. To render noun "answer" reverses action indicated.

13. That Cornelius had received the Spirit was proof that he should be baptized, fact 17.

a. Argument first: Gift of Spirit proof of pardon, hence Cornelius pardoned before baptism.

(1) Answer: Proof should be baptism; this with Peter was for remission. Acts 2:38.

(a) Objection: Then Holy Spirit in unpardoned man.

(b) Answer: This may be as to miraculous gifts. See cases of Balaam and Judas.

b. Argument second: Must have spirit before baptism.

(1) Answer first: If proved by this case, proves miraculous gift (in kind) necessary. But this miraculous and not given.

(2) Answer second: Spirit as now, given them promised after baptism. Acts 2:3ft; Galatians 4:6.

(a) Paul not sent to baptize, fact 18.

(b) Argument: He was sent to do everything necessary to pardon; he was not sent to baptize. Therefore, baptism not necessary for pardon.

(c) Answer: If argument good—still Paul transcends commission rather than omit baptism. I Corinthians 1:14-16.

(3) Major premise false. "Sent to do or cause to be done" would be correct premise. Hence conclusion that baptism not necessary illegitimate. To be good minor premise should be "not sent to baptize or cause to be baptized" which is false.

C. Summary.

1. One fact showing baptism necessary to righteousness, fact 1.

2. Three express declarations of baptism for remission, facts 2, 3, 4.

3. Three statements equivalent to this, facts 5, 18, 13.

4. Seven statements which involve this idea, facts 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15.

5. Three cases which imply same truth, fact 7

6. All other facts collected consistent with it. Therefore proposition sustained by the facts.

D. General objections.

1. Conflicts with the statement, "He that believeth on him is not condemned." Doctrine holds believers condemned till baptized. Hence assumes some be­lievers are condemned.

a. Answer first: Two kinds of believers; obedient, and disobedient. John 12:42; James 2:17, 20, 26.

b. Answer second: Only former condemned.

c. Answer third: Baptism first active obedience commanded, hence disobedient till baptized, hence condemned till baptized.

2. Baptism cannot reach soul to wash away sin.

a. Objection based upon misconception. BAPTISM

b. Remission not change within us but all of God's mind toward us.

c. Baptism merely condition on which forgiven.

3. No condemnation pronounced on those unbaptized.

a. Answer first: There is such condemnation in reference to John's baptism. Luke 7:30.

b. Answer second: If so of John's baptism, much more of Christ's baptism.

4. Doctrine makes salvation by works.

a. Answer first: It does not in sense condemned by Paul. Romans 3:20.

b. Answer second: It does in sense sustained by James. James 2:21-24.

c. Answer third: Both declared by Paul. Titus 3:4-5.

5. Then many of best men have died unforgiven.

a. If true, cannot change truth of scriptures.

b. God is above his own law. If right to forgive, it was done. But is neglect of baptism one of sins to be forgiven?

c. That others without knowledge or opportunity to know forgiven no guarantee for us.

VI. Baptism in Holy Spirit.

A. Facts.

1. Christ to baptize in Holy Spirit and in fire, fact 4. Matthew 3:11.

2. Baptism in Holy Spirit promised to Apostles, fact 19. Acts 1:4.

3. Gave it to them alone on Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4; Compare 1:26.

4. By one Spirit all baptized into one body, fact 45. I Corinthians 12:13.

(Note. Facts mentioned in this section VI are facts at be­ginning of general section on baptism)

B. Conclusion—What is baptism in Holy Spirit?

1. Parties filled with Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4, 11, 14.

2. Spoke with tongues as Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4, 10:46.

3. Spirit came without human agency.

4. Therefore, baptism in Holy Spirit consists in being filled with Holy Spirit so as to speak in other tongues as Spirit gives in utterance; speaking in tongues an effect of the immersion, not a part of it.

a. May be true in narrowest sense of immerse yet not true in scripture usage of the term. Illustrate by water immersion and accompaniment.

C. To whom is it given?

1. Predicted by John in general terms. Matthew 3:11.

2. On Pentecost given to the twelve and rest of one-hundred and twenty excluded. Acts l:5:2:1.

3. Same gift to Cornelius and friends. Acts 10:15-47.

4. Not mentioned elsewhere.

5. All obtained the same benefit as those baptized in Holy Spirit.

a. Revelation through the Apostles.

b. All Gentiles admitted with the admission of Cornelius.

c. This filling up of John's predictions. Therefore fore Apostles and Cornelius alone literally immersed in Holy Spirit. All other Christians received benefit thereof.

(1) Objection first: From John's prediction would unavoidably expect all to receive it.

(a) Answer: True, but this like most prophecy not surely interpreted till fulfilled.

(2) Objection second: Others received the Spirit

and spoke in tongues, why not say they also immersed in Holy Spirit. See Acts 8:14:18; 19:6; I Corinthians 14:26-27.

(a) Answer first: No right to extend the name

(b) Answer second: These received Spirit through Apostles hands, others did not. Therefore no right to call them immersed in Holy Spirit. Illustration; If falling into water called immersion, have no right to call this last immersion.

(3) Objection third: All immersed in one Spirit into one body. I Corinthians 12:13.

(a) Answer first: By immersion in water brought into one body. Matthew 28:19; Ro­mans 6:4.

(b) Answer second; Not by both together for only known cases of immersion in Spirit did not bring into the body.

(c) Common version of passages agree with context. I Corinthians 12:3, 8, 9.