John and the Twelve baptized because God commanded a covenant sign that prepared Israel for the nearness of the promised kingdom. John's mission was prophetic and God-sent: he came to make the Lord's paths straight ( Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1; Matt 3:3), and "He that sent me to baptize with water" defined his work ( John 1:33). His baptism was "of repentance for the remission of sins" ( Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3), publicly separating a believing remnant and manifesting the Messiah to Israel ( John 1:31). This fit Israel's priestly calling and cleansing types-washings consecrated service ( Exod 29:4; Lev 8:6), and prophets promised national purification ( Ezek 36:25; cf. Heb 9:10). Jesus then authorized the apostles to carry this forward in the kingdom gospel: "make disciplesbaptizing" ( Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15-16). At Pentecost Peter summoned Israel: "Repent, and be baptizedfor the remission of sins," with the gift of the Spirit and the hope of restoration ( Acts 2:38-41; 3:19-21). In Acts, water baptism identified penitents with the crucified and risen Christ, marked them off from unbelieving Israel, and was confirmed by signs, for "the Jews require a sign" ( Acts 8:12-17; 10:47-48; 22:16; 1 Cor 1:22; cf. Mark 16:17-18). With the later revelation of the Body of Christ, the saving baptism is the Spirit's work-placing believers into one Body apart from rites ( Eph 4:5; 1 Cor 12:13; Titus 3:5). Therefore Paul could say, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Cor 1:17). In sum, John and the apostles baptized in obedience within Israel's kingdom program-repentance, cleansing, identification, and Spirit-attested entry into the remnant-while today the "one baptism" that saves is the Spirit's, not water ( Eph 2:8-9). This preserves Israel's covenant logic with today's grace-salvation rests on Christ's cross-work by faith - not rites, while water witnessed repentance in Israel.
Good question, and thank you for the respectful tone. From a Mid-Acts dispensational view, the tension dissolves once we keep Israel's kingdom program distinct from the Body of Christ. In the Lord's earthly ministry and early Acts, the Twelve were sent to Israel with a priestly commission: preach the kingdom, call the nation to repent, and baptize the believing remnant ( Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15-18; Acts 2:38; 3:19-21). Water baptism there was covenantal identification and preparation for a promised priestly nation ( Exod 19:5-6), accompanied by signs ( Mark 16:17-18) seen functioning in Acts ( Acts 5:12-16).
But when Israel continued in unbelief, Christ revealed to Paul "the dispensation of the grace of God" and the previously hidden "mystery" ( Eph 3:1-9; Col 1:25-27). In this present dispensation, we are now saved by the gospel of Christ's cross and resurrection alone ( 1 Cor 15:1-4; Rom 3:24-28; 4:5; Eph 2:8-9). Entrance is by one Spirit baptizing us into one Body ( 1 Cor 12:13), hence Paul can say there is "one baptism" ( Eph 4:5) and also, strikingly "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Cor 1:17).
What of the Lord's commands in Matthew and John? They stand true for the audience addressed. Matthew 5:18 affirms the Law's authority until all is fulfilled; Christ is its end for righteousness to everyone that believes ( Rom 10:4) and the Body is not under the Law ( Rom 6:14). John 14-15 speaks to kingdom disciples under the New Covenant promises to Israel ( Jer 31:31-34), about abiding in the Vine and keeping His commandments in that program.
Luke 18:17 highlights the posture of faith, not a ritual that secures salvation. Therefore, today water baptism is a good testimony, but it does not add to the finished cross-work nor effect salvation. The saving baptism in this age is the Spirit's, placing us in Christ the moment we believe.
John and the Twelve baptized because God commanded a covenant sign that prepared Israel for the nearness of the promised kingdom. John's mission was prophetic and God-sent: he came to make the Lord's paths straight ( Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1; Matt 3:3), and "He that sent me to baptize with water" defined his work ( John 1:33). His baptism was "of repentance for the remission of sins" ( Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3), publicly separating a believing remnant and manifesting the Messiah to Israel ( John 1:31). This fit Israel's priestly calling and cleansing types-washings consecrated service ( Exod 29:4; Lev 8:6), and prophets promised national purification ( Ezek 36:25; cf. Heb 9:10). Jesus then authorized the apostles to carry this forward in the kingdom gospel: "make disciplesbaptizing" ( Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15-16). At Pentecost Peter summoned Israel: "Repent, and be baptizedfor the remission of sins," with the gift of the Spirit and the hope of restoration ( Acts 2:38-41; 3:19-21). In Acts, water baptism identified penitents with the crucified and risen Christ, marked them off from unbelieving Israel, and was confirmed by signs, for "the Jews require a sign" ( Acts 8:12-17; 10:47-48; 22:16; 1 Cor 1:22; cf. Mark 16:17-18). With the later revelation of the Body of Christ, the saving baptism is the Spirit's work-placing believers into one Body apart from rites ( Eph 4:5; 1 Cor 12:13; Titus 3:5). Therefore Paul could say, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Cor 1:17). In sum, John and the apostles baptized in obedience within Israel's kingdom program-repentance, cleansing, identification, and Spirit-attested entry into the remnant-while today the "one baptism" that saves is the Spirit's, not water ( Eph 2:8-9). This preserves Israel's covenant logic with today's grace-salvation rests on Christ's cross-work by faith - not rites, while water witnessed repentance in Israel.
G&P
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But when Israel continued in unbelief, Christ revealed to Paul "the dispensation of the grace of God" and the previously hidden "mystery" ( Eph 3:1-9; Col 1:25-27). In this present dispensation, we are now saved by the gospel of Christ's cross and resurrection alone ( 1 Cor 15:1-4; Rom 3:24-28; 4:5; Eph 2:8-9). Entrance is by one Spirit baptizing us into one Body ( 1 Cor 12:13), hence Paul can say there is "one baptism" ( Eph 4:5) and also, strikingly "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" ( 1 Cor 1:17).
What of the Lord's commands in Matthew and John? They stand true for the audience addressed. Matthew 5:18 affirms the Law's authority until all is fulfilled; Christ is its end for righteousness to everyone that believes ( Rom 10:4) and the Body is not under the Law ( Rom 6:14). John 14-15 speaks to kingdom disciples under the New Covenant promises to Israel ( Jer 31:31-34), about abiding in the Vine and keeping His commandments in that program.
Luke 18:17 highlights the posture of faith, not a ritual that secures salvation. Therefore, today water baptism is a good testimony, but it does not add to the finished cross-work nor effect salvation. The saving baptism in this age is the Spirit's, placing us in Christ the moment we believe.
Grace and Peace.
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Proverbs 3:5
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
Ezekiel 36:27
"And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."
Blessings
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Just read these two posts today!
I'm trying to keep up before these posts expire.
The harmonize with my post!
One would think I read these posts and followed behind them. lol
Blessings.
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