Hoyte Nelson's 

Poems/ Reflections & Biblical Essays

Biblical Essays

Poems & Reflections

Essay

Definitions related to Baptist Doctrines

A - B

1 & 2.  Baptism and the Lord’s Supper:

        A.  Baptism, “Baptizo” in the Greek is the verb form of the word “baptize.” (Meaning to immerse, to dip or plunge as under water). In the New Testament baptism pictures’ the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. The believer, having died with Christ by faith, is buried with Him by baptism (immersion), and raised to walk in “newness of Life.” (Read Romans 6: 3-9)

              In baptism, water is not necessarily the focus; though it is necessary. The focus is the grave from which we will be resurrected when Jesus comes again. The water is only the canvas on which the picture is painted. The picture is the cross, the grave and the glory of the resurrection. (In baptism, we are received into the local body of Christ; just as the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the Spiritual Body of Christ). “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12: 13a).

An Appendix: In reference to Baptism

 Excerpts from “Baptist Outlook” E. T. Hiscox, D. D., New York 1800s

Baptizo, found eight time in the New Testament,  is the only Greek word used in the Bible in reference to Baptism,  meaning  to dip, to plunge or immerse.

Bapto is used three time, meaning to dip, but not used in reference to Baptism

Louo is used six time,  meaning to wash or to bathe, but not used in reference to Baptism

Nipto is used seventeen times, meaning to wash the extremities, as the face or hands, etc. but not used in reference to Baptism

There are two other Scriptures references that need to be clarified relative to these Christian ordinances:

One,  “Baptismal Regeneration” (Mark 16: 16); and the other has to do with the  “baptizing for the dead.” (1Corinthainsss 15: 29)

First, Baptismal Regeneration proponents teach that, in order to be saved, one must be baptized. There are two comments that need to be made at this point: One, there are many scriptural references that speak particularly to the reality of the salvation experience without referencing baptism. (Ephesians 2: 8,9 as an example) Therefore, Baptists believe that one must die with Christ; that is, Christ’s death must be our substitute before we can be buried with Him. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection; knowing this, that our          old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin” (Romans 6: 3-6).

Therefore, we believe that baptism is a picture of that which Christ has done for us, and as believers, we are to obey our Lord in obedience to His command; therefore, we believe that baptism is a Christian ordinance; therefore, only believers can be buried with Christ in Baptism.

The Second point of concern has to do with the question in reference to being baptized for the dead as is referenced in 1 Corinthians 15: 29. The subject under discussion is in reference to Christ’s resurrection; wherein, it is asked, “why would one be baptized for a dead Christ, if “Christ be not raised?” Some think they can be baptized for dead family member and bring them salvation. This Scripture makes no such promise. The point of emphasis is the question of the resurrection of Christ, is it real? If not, thus the question, why baptize for the dead (Christ) if He is still dead?  

        B. The Lord’s Supper: 

The scriptures give us a clear understanding of the purpose for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, both from the mouth of our Lord, and from quotes taken from the Apostle Paul: “And He spoke unto them, saying, this is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22: 19, kjv), and in 1st Corinthians 11: 24,25 it is said, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it (the unleavened bread), and said, ‘take, eat: this is my body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, ‘This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me’” (kjv).

The scriptures also give us instruction as to the place and the people for whom the Lord’s Supper is intended. The place is where the church is gathered together as one in Christ and the people who are to receive the elements are baptized believers in fellowship.

            The problem that has existed for multitudes of believers since the mode of baptism was changed from the biblical mode, “Baptizo” (meaning to immerse) that symbolized the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, to the more convenient practice of sprinkling or pouring. Because of the so-called “marriage” between the state and the church in many countries of Europe in past ages, etc., multitudes have sacrificed themselves even unto death or the death of their families rather than being forced to violate their conviction in this matter. This is where the name “Ana-baptist” (Meaning to re-baptize) became popular in years gone bye.  [Some of the information that I am referencing is from books like: “Baptist History”, by J. M. Cramp, D.D.; “Martin Luther,” Edited by John Dillinberger, and “The Other Side of Rome,” by John B. Wilder, etc., etc.] The second form of persecution was that of disenfranchisement of so many from participating in any form of government by the “State-church” of those who would not receive “communion” at the hands of the un-baptized according to the scriptures, because they held these principles to be dear to their heart.

            (Let me say here and now that Baptists are not altogether without blame in our dealings with other “Christians” in these matters. (We have, in times passed, tried to force others to conform to our position regarding these principles) The question today is not intolerance as we have too often been in the past, but invitation: Whom should we invite to the table? (We plea for all to come to Christ, and invited them who come to join us in fellowship at the baptismal waters, but do we invite those who have not yet been baptized (Baptizo)? into the body of Christ. We believe that all true believers are saved before baptism is administered, but if baptism is the “Prerequisite to church membership and the Lord’s Supper” as started by the “Baptist Faith and Message,” then should we not be faithful to the Baptist Faith and Message if it is to be the test for leadership within our own denomination?  Dr. William Boone, writing for The SS Board of the SBC, says "We believe that the (the Lord’s Supper) is one of the things he (Jesus) commanded us to observe after baptism in the great commission." Specking of the church he says, "The more common use is that of a local congregation of baptized believers. Again he says, "but restricted to believers who have been baptized…" Dr. Boone uses the word "restricted communion" rather than "closed communion" because we are open to all Christians who are scripturally baptized." (Boone, "What We Believe" [1936; reprinted 1959, 1960], Convention Press, pages 79-81).

The Lord’s Supper is received when the church, in fellowship, share together in this holy celebration. The Corinthian church was reprimanded for their disrespect, or maybe ignorance of this holy event, “not discerning the Lord’s body,” and so they brought the judgment of God upon themselves. The fact is that we are to come together as a body of baptized believers to commemorate the Lord’s death “till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11: 23- 26). The question is this: What constitutes the Lord’s body as believers?  One can be a believer and not yet a member of the body of baptized believers as were in the days of the Apostles; therefore, should we, as they were then, Baptized before receiving the Lord’s Supper: Thus: “discerning the Lord’s Body.” 

I believe that just as an uncircumcised Jew, though a son of Abraham (or a Gentile), could not partake of the Passover meal in the days of the prophets: “for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof” (Exodus 12: 48b). It is not a fact that Jesus intended for the Lord’s Supper to be for the church what the Passover was in Israel’s day. According to the Baptist Faith and Message, becoming a member of the church by scriptural baptism is the prerequisite to the Lord’s Table today. The “Baptist faith and Message” (revised) says,  “Being a church ordinance, (speaking of baptism), it is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper;” (Highlighted for emphasis) If this is not obeyed, how could the body of Christ be honored. There is no “body” to be “discerned” until one is baptized into it.  “And for this cause” the Bible says, “there are many weak and sickly among you, and some sleep, not discerning the Lord’s Body” (1Corinthians 11: 27). [When Israel crossed over into the Promised Land, before the celebrated the Passover meal, all the male men who were born in the wilderness were required to be circumcised] (Joshua 5:7-10). To have participated in the Passover Meal before being  circumcised   would have brought the judgment of God upon the whole nation.

            Although our problem today, as Baptist, is not the same as it was in the Corinthian Church, it is no less significant!  (They were misusing the Lord’s Supper in the manner in which they conducted themselves); our problem today is that we have drifting away from our scriptural our scriptural foundation, and the truth expressed in our own “Baptist Faith and message” (Paragraph VII). We truly are not doing anyone a favor by inviting them to the Lord’s table until they are a part of the body. To do so is to convey a wrong message about the importance of the local church membership as the body of baptized believers. If one sees the church as only the spiritual body of Christ (1^st Corinthians 12: 13), then the local New Testament churches as recording in the scriptures would be meaningless for us today; only the local church can fulfill the commission of our Lord.

Baptist history, the Scripture, and the “Baptist Faith and Message (2000, etc.), all agree that Baptist cannot be true to our convictions and practice what liberal theology teach across many denominational lines,  “open communion.” We do not have to be mean-spirited (as in the past), but we do have to be obedient to the scriptures and our own confession of faith Baptist Faith and Message, 2000, etc. When the Lord’s Supper is observed, it is an appropriate time to teach the truth about the local body of Christ and the importance of obedience in what Baptist calls “Believers Baptism.” This has nothing to do with our salvation, but everything to do with our obedience to our Lord’s command! Therefore our families members (and others) should be instructed not to receive the elements of the Lord’s Supper until they saved and members of the Local body of baptized believers. If this is done properly and graciously, no one will be offended.

[P.S. The context for 1^st Corinthians 12:13 is about spiritual gifts. The purpose of this passage is to point out a particular truth. This truth is the fact that although the body is made “One” by the Holy Spirit, the “gifts” of the Spirit, like our physical body, are many. (Hand, feet, etc.). This passage has nothing to do with the local church observing the ordinance of baptism or the Lord’s Supper; otherwise, (and God forbid), Baptist would have to revise all of our past confessions of faith wherein it is stated the baptism is a “prerequisite to the privilege of church membership and (a prerequisite) to the Lord’s Supper.”]

 Scriptures that are often confused:

One, the body and blood of Jesus,

                There is another scripture that is often confused with the Lord’s Supper that we need to consider. That is when Jesus said:  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, “how can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whosoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed” (John 6: 47-55, kjv). First, notice the introductory words of Jesus in this passage: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6: 47. kjv). These words are consistent with the whole context of New Testament Theology. (John 3:16, etc.) Salvation is by faith in the finish work of our Lord, plus nothing. (Ephesians 2: 8,9); then what is the biblical meaning of His “flesh” and His “blood” as referenced by Jesus in the above passage? The reference is to the Manna from heaven as the sustaining blessing of heaven on the children of Israel in the wilderness, led by Moses.

It should be remembered that the Lord’s Supper has not yet been instituted when Jesus said to His disciple, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:56). Therefore, this reference has nothing to do with the Lord’s Supper, but has to do with the personal sacrifice of the incarnate Christ, who would offer Himself on the cross for our sins. Remember, Jesus said, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).  Eating His flesh, and drinking His blood is a metaphor depicting our relationship with the incarnate Christ who came from heaven to this earth to provide a living sacrifice for our sins. The Apostle John said, “But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to be called the sons of God, even to them who believe on His name” (John 1: 12).

3.  The Bible:

            The Bible is the Inspired Word of God, made up of the Old and New Testaments.

The Old Testament (Covenant) contains the Law under which the people of God, called Israel, lived until its fulfillment in Christ Jesus. The New Covenant (Hebrews 8: 7-13) is the Covenant of Grace, providing redemption “in Christ” for all of God’s people, Jew and Gentile, as one body in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2: 13-22)

             The Bible is the record of God’s creation, His people and promises. The promise given to Abraham and fulfilled in Jesus Christ is the focal point of it all, and will serve us for time and eternity. (Galatians 3: 29)

RETURN TO DEFINITION'S PAGE