Our blog will share 30 different Bible Contrasts that show distinctions that matter when studying God’s Word. It is important to understand this perspective or we may get confused.
We see a number of dissimilar wordings within God’s Word. Some have seen them as contradictions in the Bible. We prefer the term “contrasts.” The main reason for these differences is that God is setting forth two separate programs (intimated even in Genesis 1:1). The first deals with the earth and Israel. The other concerns the heavens and Christ’s Body Church. It was given to the Apostle Paul to lay out these differences. He is God’s “apostle of the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:13).
So then we must recognize such Bible divisions if we’d truly understand God’s Word and be approved by Him (II Tim. 2:15). Then we must follow the last directives given by God through Paul as “the commandments of the Lord” for this present time (I Cor. 14:37).
Today is Part #17:
WATER BAPTISM for salvation was practiced in the Gospels and early Acts. John the Baptist came “preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Luke 3:3). The resurrected Lord Jesus reaffirmed the necessity of water baptism to salvation when He commissioned the apostles saying, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Spirit-filled Peter at Pentecost repeated the same requirement to “all the house of Israel.” “Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:36-38).
SPIRIT BAPTISM alone puts the believer in Christ for salvation today. Does not God’s Word through Paul’s pen clearly say that “by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body”—the Body or Church of Christ? (I Cor. 12:13). And in a passage where everything is spiritual are we not told that there remains only “one baptism” for today? (Eph. 4:3-6). That one is clearly Spirit baptism.
For more information and understanding, we recommend doing the PMA “Understanding your Bible” our 8 part lesson series available for free download at Free Bible Correspondence – Prison Mission Association
(These points come from Pastor David Adams, booklet, Bible Contrasts used by permission)