Infant Baptism Debate Seeks Baptists

Herb Kraker of Dialogos Studies is in need of Baptists, or at least Baptists learned enough to discuss the covenental aspects of baptism as it relates or doesn't relate to infants:

At first glance the New Testament would appear to teach believer's baptism. The "believe and be baptized" passages seem quite clear. However, closer examination of the Scriptures open up the possibility that baptism could well be the sign of the Abrahamic covenant. Currently, that is the direction the evidence in the examination is pointing.

Is infant baptism in fact the Scriptural form? Is this correct?

More input is needed from Baptists to further test this material to see if it can stand the test.

As Always be charitable when visiting others. Refrain from going in with bible guns blazing and shooting from the hip. This is a serious debate, so please download the papers and provide a well reasoned response.


Related Posts:
Rebaptism: Is A Need for Rebaptism Biblical?
Baptism by Immersion Only
Baptism by Immersion - Clothed or Unclothed?


Source: Infant Baptism - Current Status of the Debate

Didache Text Contradicts Christian Belief?

Does the Didache text contradict Christian belief? That seemed to be the question one visitor to CAS had on their mind this past month when we found "didache contradict christian belief" in our analytics report of keywords.

Our immediate thought was, no, the Didache (pronounced die-dah-kay) does not contradict Christian belief as it was written by 1st Century Christians and was widely circulated and used by the 1st Century Church. In fact, it wasn't until the 4th Century that the Didache was formally and forever excluded from the canon of the scripture, not for being false, but for being a church manual. Personally, we would have liked the Didache to have been included in the Bible as it would have saved centuries of fussing over the mode of baptism and whether abortion is permissable.

The Didache is one of our favorite early Christian writings due to its being short and containing instructions for how Christians are to baptise. We suspect the Didache's forementioned instructions on baptism may be one of the key sticking points as the Didache does not support baptism by immersion only. Readers can find copies of the Didache text in several places including Wesley Center Online (our favorite) and the Calvin Christian Electronic Library (CCEL). If you have never read the Didache, take a moment and do so now. We'll wait as you'll be finished in just a few minutes. Try the Wesley Center Online version, it has fewer distracting footnotes and commentary. We'll get a fresh cup of tea meanwhile...

Oh, good, you're back!

One of the more interesting aspects of the Didache is it seems to have been written about the time of the Gospel of Matthew. There are many parallels between the two documents. In chapter 7 of his book "The Influence of the Gospel of Saint Matthew on Christian Literature", Edward Massaux includes a table with parallel texts from the Didache and the gospels of Matthew, Luke and Mark. Massaux points out that one could easily append the Didache to the end of the gospel of Matthew as the Didache seems to start where the gospel of Matthew ends.

So does the Didache contradict Chrsitian belief? No, we don't find the Didache contradicts Christian belief. We do think that the Didache does contradict many individuals' personal Christian beliefs and personal interpretations of scripture, but those are two entirely different things. So what are some of the seeming contradictions?

Baptism

The Didache is the earliest known Christian writing to detail just how Christians are to baptise. The writers of the books of the Bible seem to have assumed that their readers were already familiar with details of baptism and never provided any instructions. So sola scriptura Christians, who have interpreted various passages in the Bible to mean baptism is by immersion only, will experience dissonance where the Didache states:

7:1 But concerning baptism, thus shall ye baptize.
7:2 Having first recited all these things, baptize {in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit} in living (running) water.
7:3 But if thou hast not living water, then baptize in other water;
7:4 and if thou art not able in cold, then in warm.
7:5 But if thou hast neither, then pour water on the head thrice in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
7:6 But before the baptism let him that baptizeth and him that is baptized fast, and any others also who are able;
7:7 and thou shalt order him that is baptized to fast a day or two before.
The Didache

Thus, we have never had any disagreement with those who prefer to immerse converts in cold river water. That preference seems both Biblical and faithful to 1st Century practice. But to insist on immersion only sems to contradict both the Bible and early Christian practice. For some reason, humans like absolutes and tend to insert "only" at the drop of a hat.

Personally, we see the greatest contradiction between the Didache and baptism being that many Christian congregations immerse only once, where as the Didache and all the early texts on baptism indicate three immersions were/are used.

Fasting

Many modern Christian congregations are opposed to fasting, often because it seems Catholic. Thus, those individuals would likely have some discomfort reading:

8:1 And let not your fastings be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and the fifth day of the week;
8:2 but do ye keep your fast on the fourth and on the preparation (the sixth) day
The Didache

1st Century Christians fasted twice weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays. Who knew? One wouldn't discover that reading the Bible alone. Might be interesting to discover when and why Catholics seemed to have dropped fasting on Wednesdays. The Didache also seems to shed some light on why many Christians meet on Wednesday evenings. Might the modern tradition be related to the fasting practices of 1st Century Christians? Hmm...

Lord's Supper

Fencing the table seems to have been the norm in the 1st Century. Those modern Christian congregations that practice open communion ("Everyone is welcome!") seem to be in contradiction to the instructions left by our 1st Century church fathers:

9:10 But let no one eat or drink of this eucharistic thanksgiving, but they that have been baptized into the name of the Lord;
9:11 for concerning this also the Lord hath said:
9:12 {Give not that which is holy to the dogs.}
The Didache

The Didache makes clear that the Eucharist was to be received only by baptised Christians. "Give not that which is holy to the dogs." is a quote straight from Matthew 7:6. No contradiction with scripture there.

Also, the use of "eucharist" in verse 9:10 and the phrase "that which is holy" in verse 9:12 seem to indicate that 1st Century Christians considered the bread and wine to be more than merely symbolic. Some Christians may find this aspect of the Didache to contradict their personal beliefs or what they have been taught by other Christians regarding the Lord's Supper. Those individuals might consider re-reading the gospel accounts of the last supper in light of Isaiah 55:11 and Genesis 1 and ask themselves what happened when the voice of God (Jesus) went forth saying "This is my body." (Matthew 26:26) Why do all the gospel accounts of the last supper use the Greek verb "to be" (is, am are)?

Abortion

The Didache also makes clear that from the 1st century the Christian doctrine concerning abortion is that its wrong, with no exceptions. Those Christians that are pro-choice or make exceptions for rape or incest are likely uncomfortable to read:

thou shalt not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born
The Didache

We find no contradiction with either scripture or Christian belief regarding abortion. Again, there may be some contradiction with personal interpretations or preferences. This is yet another example of why we wish the early church had included the Didache in the canon of scripture. Christian doctrine on abortion would have been firmly set and the early 20th century exceptions on contraception that led to today's abortion controversy would likely have never gained traction.

In closing. We are fond of the Didache as we are of all of God's word. Its easy to to see why the Didache was widely copied and circulated among NT churches and was considered for inclusion in the modern canon of scripture. Does the Didache contradict Christian belief? We don't see it, but your personal interpretations of scripture and the doctrines taught to you by others may prove otherwise. Seek the truth.

Related Posts:
The Geek of Immersion Baptism
Protestants Joining Catholics in Confession Comeback
The Holiest of Nights


Source: The Didache or Teaching of the Apostles

Rebaptism: Is A Need for Rebaptism Biblical?

Michael Spencer, the iMonk, is hosting a very good discussion on rebaptism and questioning the need for rebaptism. Michael plans a multi-post discussion on rebaptism and the many apologies for and against the practice of rebaptism among many Baptist and evangelical congregations. Michaels says the practice of rebaptism is "an issue that has deeply affected and weakened my own denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention,...". With the continuing decline in Southern Baptist adherents and baptisms, Michael's discussion is timely and much needed.

What does the Bible say about rebaptism? Well, rebaptism is not demonstrated in any of the New Testament. There are many examples of baptisms, but no examples of rebaptism. Paul seems to implicitly instruct against the need for rebaptism in one of his letters:

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:4-6

Paul in his letter to the Ephesians seems very clear that there is one and only one baptism. This section of his letter reinforces the oneness of God and the one faith established by Christ. Combined with the fact that there isn't a single example of rebaptism in the Bible, I am unable to understand how sola scriptura Christians can wander into the error of rebaptism and the confusion and doubts it creates in their congregations. But, then again, so many early Christians wandered into the error of rebaptism that the second Ecumenical Council in 381 specfically addressed rebaptism in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381.

In one holy catholic and apostolic Church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381

In the interest of full disclosure, our congregation recites the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381 at most services and also holds the early Christian doctrine of one baptism, as do we.

I encourage CAS readers to click over to the Internet Monk blog and join in the conversation taking place regarding the need for rebaptism. As always, be charitable!

Related Posts:
Baptism by Immersion Only
Baptism by Immersion - Clothed or Unclothed?
The Holiest of Nights

Source: Rebaptism: What Is It?

Baptism by Immersion Only

During one of our routine patrols of the Blogosphere for all things "baptism", we chanced upon a comment citing a portion of a Nineteenth Century Bible dictionary. The dictionary was compiled by M.G. Easton M.A., D.D.. M.G. Easton was a Scottish Presbyterian minister and writer, whose best known work is Easton's Bible Dictionary, published in 1897, three years after his death. A quick search for "Easton's Bible Dictionary" indicated that the tome was available in digital form at one of my favorite online Christian libraries, the Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College.

Here's the excerpt that caught our attention:

The mode of baptism can in no way be determined from the Greek word rendered "baptize." Baptists say that it means "to dip," and nothing else. That is an incorrect view of the meaning of the word. It means both (1) to dip a thing into an element or liquid, and (2) to put an element or liquid over or on it. Nothing therefore as to the mode of baptism can be concluded from the mere word used. The word has a wide latitude of meaning, not only in the New Testament, but also in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament, where it is used of the ablutions and baptisms required by the Mosaic law. These were effected by immersion, and by affusion and sprinkling; and the same word, "washings" (Heb. 9:10, 13, 19, 21) or "baptisms," designates them all. In the New Testament there cannot be found a single well-authenticated instance of the occurrence of the word where it necessarily means immersion. Moreover, none of the instances of baptism recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (2:38-41; 8:26-39; 9:17, 18; 22:12-16; 10:44-48; 16:32-34) favours the idea that it was by dipping the person baptized, or by immersion, while in some of them such a mode was highly improbable.

The gospel and its ordinances are designed for the whole world, and it cannot be supposed that a form for the administration of baptism would have been prescribed which would in any place (as in a tropical country or in polar regions) or under any circumstances be inapplicable or injurious or impossible.

[Illustrated Bible Dictionary, by M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897]

It was the sentence "The mode of baptism can in no way be determined from the Greek word rendered "baptize." that caught our eye. As regular CAS readers know, we are located deep in Southern Baptist territory. Local baptists are quick to state the the Greek word baptizmo means "to dip" and nothing else. Therefore, baptism is by immersion only. The fact that a learned mainline Reformation minister not only took exception to the rigid Baptist definition of baptizmo, but also listed some very strong polemics against the limited definition is somewhat amazing.

We'll have to test Doctor Easton's arguments with our Baptist friends. We'd be curious to hear the Baptist response, other than the rote baptizmo means "to dip".

Related Posts:
The Geek of Immersion Baptism
Baptism by Immersion - Clothed or Unclothed?
The Holiest of Nights

Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

The Geek of Immersion Baptism

Here's an interesting video from a Catholic priest who baptises by immersion. "Father Geek" describes in a YourTube video how their church's immersion pool is constructed and setup. Later, several immersion baptisms using the pool are shown.



I don't know if you caught it, but the converts are immersed not once, but three times. This is in keeping with the early NT church's teaching on how to baptise as described in The Didache and in later ante-Nicene letters.

And concerning baptism, thus baptize ye: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if you have not living water, baptize into other water; and if you can not in cold, in warm. But if you have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. But before the baptism let the baptizer fast, and the baptized, and whatever others can; but you shall order the baptized to fast one or two days before.
The Didache

"And each of you was asked, whether he believed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and ye made that saving confession, and descended three times into the water, and ascended again; here also hinting by a symbol at the three days burial of Christ."
Cyril of Jerusalem, Of Baptism

Also, by using a pump, the baptisms were able to be conducted in "living water" as instructed by our early Christian forefathers.

Source: Fr. Geek's Video Podcast #6: "The Geek of Immersion Baptism"

The Great Commission

This past Sunday was Ascension Sunday on the liturgical calendar and the Gospel reading was the Great Commission in Matthew.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.."
Matthew 28:16-20

It occurred to me in church Sunday, while I stood and heard these words proclaimed aloud that many Christians were familiar with the first two imperatives of Christ, but few seemed to faithfully follow the third imperative. The three imperatives are:

make disciples of all nations

Overall, Christians have done well spreading the Good News and converting all nations to Christianity. However, are we fulfilling the Great commission to make disciples? Converts are not necessarily disciples. Note how often the Bible refers to Jesus and his disciples and not Jesus and his converts. Who was called a disciple in the Bible? The Apostles, not the crowds that followed. In order to make disciples, we need to be faithfully be implementing the third directive in the Great Commission.

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Catholics and Orthodox immediately recognize these words, as most are recited while making the ancient sign of the cross and recalling their own baptism. Here we have a command from Christ to baptise using a "Trinitarian" formula. Seems pretty clear to me and its also well documented in Christian writings from the Didache forward as THE words for baptism. How some congregations continue to baptise in Jesus name only, I will never understand.

teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you

When you hear someone mention the Great Commission, do you immediately think "obey everything I have commanded you"? I didn't. "Make disciples" and "baptise" are what pop into my mind. In fact Sunday, I was almost shocked to hear that there was a third part to the Great Commission.

Obey everything. Its somewhat difficult to obey everything when one may not know everything Jesus commanded. This where my beef with "sufficiency" and "essential" and "non-essential" doctrines comes from. Jesus didn't equivocate. Sufficient is not everything. Sufficient is some lower level. Ditto for non-essentials. According to this portion of the Great Commission there is no such thing as a non-essential. The third imperative is clear: "obey everything I have commanded".

So, let us all go forth making disciples by teaching them everything, so they may obey everything that Christ commanded.

 

Thousands in U.S. Seek Baptism

Zenit is reporting "Tens of thousands of Americans will join the Catholic Church this Holy Saturday through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults."

The Christian community in the U.S. is about to expand by about 60-70,000 this coming Saturday, when Catholic churches nationwide baptize new adult Christians. Additionally, about 100,00 Christians will make a profession of faith and formally enter the Catholic Curch from other Christian denominations. This annual conversion of about 100,000 non-Catholics seems in keeping with the recent Pew study on religion.

The Zenit article goes on to say that "more than a million infant baptisms will take place in the U.S. during 2008." Say what you will, but the Catholic Church in the U.S. is successfully retaining its position as the largest group of Christians and slowly gaining market share.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:41-42

Source: Zenit article

Womenpriests Plan Womens' Ordination

Looks like the annual ordination of women as "priests" is on. Several sources state that this Sunday, May 27th, an ordination ceremony will take place in Toronto, Canada at a secret undisclosed church of unknown denomination. Anyone vaguely familiar with the Catholic Church at Rome knows that these women are not bishops and priests of the Roman Church as women are not valid matter for ordination.

I had an online discussion with a non-Catholic feminist professor of women studies once. She, like the womenpriests, made the old arguements regarding the church being sexist, archaic, unfair, but never once did she ever consider the sacramental nature of ordination. She seemed suprised and dumb founded when I explained the concept to her.

Every sacrament has valid physical matter associated with it.

Water is the only valid matter for conducting baptisms. No Christian church uses milk, beer, wine, or orange juice. Just because you don't have a pool of water doesn't mean that a vat of beer can be used for baptismal immersions. Beer is not valid matter. Scripture and the early Church fathers are quite clear on water being the only valid matter for baptism.

Unleavened bread and wine are the only valid matter for communion. While some Christian churches stray and use grape juice, grape juice is no more valid matter than using Moon Pies with Nehi Grape Soda chasers. Neither are milk and cookies valid matter for communion.

A man and a women are the only valid matter for marriage. Not two men nor two women. I'm all for two men, or two women, living together as brother and brother, or sister and sister, and caring for each other. God calls us all to love one another as he has loved us. But, same sex pairings are not valid matter for marriage.

Olive oil is the only valid matter for annointings. Not light motor oil or baby oil. Neither are shortening, lard or any other "oily" substance valid matter for annointing.

Thus we come to the sacrament of ordination. The scripture and early Church clearly indicate that only baptised males are valid matter. While this requirement eliminates women from ordination, it also eliminates two-thirds of all men, or more. Two billion men are automatically excluded due to lack of baptism. The pool of valid matter is thus limited to about 17% of the world's population. Add in a requirement to be Catholic, in the case of the Church at Rome, and the pool shrinks down to about 8% or less. Factor in discerning "the call", psychlogical and academic suitability, and the pool continues to shrink well below the 5% level.

Now I'm sure that if, like the Womenpriets, one is a member of the 83% to 97% of the world population that isn't valid or suitable for ordination, and that's something I aspired to, I too would feel discriminated against, that the rules were unfair, and more. However, no law or sense of injustice can convert invalid matter into valid matter for ordination.

So, our fine and devout women may lay hands on each other as much as they like, but their ordinations are no more valid than a baptism with milk or a communion with grape juice.

May God bless these women and grant them the grace to see the errors in their "ordinations."

Million Baptisms Drive Falls Short

Its was a worthy goal. One million baptisms by Southern Baptist Convention churches in one year. The rollout of the program went well and large numbers of baptisms began rolling in to the program headquarters. Then, the low-hanging fruit was gone.

Baptisms for 2006 totaled 364,826. That's about a 2% decrease from 2005's total of 371,850. While many will focus on the decrease in numbers, many others will focus on the fact that over a half-a-million people have begun the their walk to holiness.

Source: Winston-Salem Journal

Baptism by Immersion - Clothed or Unclothed?

This past week I was discussing the Christian Apologetics Society (CAS) blog with a good Baptist friend of mine. We were talking about my Easter post where I mentioned that during early church baptisms, the convert was naked before being immersed. He had never given much thought to whether one should be clothed or unclothed while undergoing baptism.

The first time I witnessed a good old fashioned Southern Baptist baptism by immersion, I was much surprised. The minister in a good suit and two ladies in nice dresses tromped out into the coffee colored waters of a typical backwoods, clay-bed creek. That always struck me as odd that everyone was fully clothed.

A few years back, I discovered while reading Cyril of Jerusalem, among others, that early Christian converts were unclothed and unashamed during baptism. The question then formed as to when did the modern tradition of man of being baptised clothed occur?

I suspect the answer lies in art. Tracing paintings of baptisms back in time, we would likely discover when the change in doctrine concerning baptism likely occured. I recall, from my years in Italy, that Renaissance churches of the 1400's had external baptistries, which are small buildings, completely enclosed as if for privacy. A baptistry would lend well to baptising males and females apart, as was also the early Christian procedure. Many paintings of the Renaissance period depict Christ and others unclothed during baptism. Could this be a projection of then current baptism practices?

So, knowing that most of us engage somewhat thoughtlessly in the baptism customs and traditions of men, passed on to us, allow me to introduce to you Cyril of Jerusalem, an early Christian Church presbytyr. Below is the full text of Cyril's famous lecture Of Baptism.

Of Baptism


Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into His death? .... for ye are not under the Law, but under grace.

1. These daily introductions into the Mysteries, and new instructions, which are the announcements of new truths, are profitable to us; and most of all to you, who have been renewed from an old state to a new. Therefore, I shall necessarily lay before you the sequel of yesterday's Lecture, that ye may learn of what those things, which were done by you in the inner chamber, were symbolical.

2. As soon, then, as ye entered, ye put off your tunic; and this was an image of putting off the old man with his deeds. Having stripped yourselves, ye were naked; in this also imitating Christ, who was stripped naked on the Cross, and by His nakedness put off from Himself the principalities and powers, and openly triumphed over them on the tree . For since the adverse powers made their lair in your members, ye may no longer wear that old garment; I do not at all mean this visible one, but the aid man, which waxeth corrupt in the lusts of deceit . May the soul which has once put him off, never again put him on, but say with the Spouse of Christ in the Song of Songs, I have put off my garment, how shall I put it on? O wondrous thing! ye were naked in the sight of all, and were not ashamed; for truly ye bore the likeness of the first-formed Adam, who was naked in the garden, and was not ashamed.

3. Then, when ye were stripped, ye were anointed with exorcised oil, from the very hairs of your head to your feet, and were made partakers of the good olive-tree, Jesus Christ. For ye were cut off from the wild olive-tree, and grafted into the good one, and were made to share the fatness of the true olive-tree. The exorcised oil therefore was a symbol of the participation of the fatness of Christ, being a charm to drive away every trace of hostile influence. For as the breathing of the saints, and the invocation of the Name of God, like fiercest flame, scorch and drive out evil spirits, so also this exorcised oil receives such virtue by the invocation of God and by prayer, as not only to burn and cleanse away the traces of sins, but also to chase away all the invisible powers of the evil one.

4. After these things, ye were led to the holy pool of Divine Baptism, as Christ was carried from the Cross to the Sepulchre which is before our eyes And each of you was asked, whether he believed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and ye made that saving confession, and descended three times into the water, and ascended again; here also hinting by a symbol at the three days burial of Christ. For as our Saviour passed three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, so you also in your first ascent out of the water, represented the first day of Christ in the earth, and by your descent, the night; for as he who is in the night, no longer sees, but he who is in the day, remains in the light, so in the descent, as in the night, ye saw nothing, but in ascending again ye were as in the day. And at the self-same moment ye were both dying and being born; and that Water of salvation was at once your grave and your mother. And what Solomon spoke of others will suit you also; for he said, in that case, There is a time to bear and a time to die; but to you, in the reverse order, there was a time to die and a time to be born; and one and the same time effected both of these, and your birth went hand in hand with your death.

5. O strange and inconceivable thing! we did not really die, we were not really buried, we were not really crucified and raised again; but our imitation was in a figure, and our salvation in reality. Christ was actually crucified, and actually buried, and truly rose again; and all these things He has freely bestowed upon us, that we, sharing His sufferings by imitation, might gain salvation in reality. O surpassing loving-kindness! Christ received nails in His undefiled hands and feet, and suffered anguish; while on me without pain or toil by the fellowship of His suffering He freely bestows salvation.

6. Let no one then suppose that Baptism is merely the grace of remission of sins, or further, that of adoption; as John's was a baptism conferring only remission of sins: whereas we know full well, that as it purges our sins, and ministers to us the gift of the Holy Ghost, so also it is the counterpart of the sufferings of Christ. For this cause Paul just now cried aloud and said, Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into His death. These words he spoke to some who were disposed to think that Baptism ministers to us the remission of sins, and adoption, but has not further the fellowship also, by representation, of Christ's true sufferings.

7. In order therefore that we might learn, that whatsoever things Christ endured, For Us and for Our Salvation He suffered them in reality and not in appearance, and that we also are made partakers of His sufferings, Paul cried with all exactness of truth, For if we have been planted together with the likeness of His death, we shall be also with the likeness of His resurrection. Well has he said, planted together. For since the true Vine was planted in this place, we also by partaking in the Baptism of death have been planted together with Him. And fix thy mind with much attention on the words of the Apostle. He said not, "For if we have been planted together with His death," but, with the likeness of His death. For in Christ's case there was death in reality, for His soul was really separated from His body, and real burial, for His holy body was wrapt in pure linen; and everything happened really to Him; but in your ease there was only a likeness of death and sufferings, whereas of salvation there was not a likeness but a reality.

8. Having been sufficiently instructed in these things, keep them, I beseech you, in your remembrance; that I also, unworthy though I be, may say of you, Now I love you, because ye always remember me, and hold fast the traditions, which I delivered unto you. And God, who has presented you as if were alive from the dead, is able to grant unto you to walk in newness of life: because His is the glory and the power, now and for ever. Amen.

Things to note regarding an early Christian baptism of the 300's:

- converts are unclothed
- converts are coated in olive oil
- converts are immersed not once, but three times

Questions: How did we get from Cyril to today's baptism by immersion tradition of being clothed, dunked once, and forget the olive oil? What do the Old and New Testaments say?

Source: Of Baptism, Cyril of Jerusalem

Apologetics - Islam and the Trinity

A few weeks ago, I discovered a post by an Islamic apologist against the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Interestingly, this Islamic apologist took the same tactics that many Christians take against the Catholic doctrine on Purgatory: the word doesn't appear anywhere in the Bible and "conflict" between verses.

Yes, the word "Trinity" does not appear anywhere in the Bible. Neither, do the words "Bible", "incarnation", "purgatory", "sinner's prayer", nor many other common Christian terms. This is because, while some doctrines are explicit (only water may be used for baptism), others are implicit. The fact that a specific term does not appear does not negate the presence or truth of a particular doctrine.

Secondly, the arguement was made that the baptismal instructions of the Great Commission inMatthew 28:19 conflicted with the baptismal instructions in Acts 2:38. The fact that there was only one verse, in apparent conflict, showing an alleged Trinitarian baptism and the fact that several other verses on baptism did not mention the Trinity, seemed to the Islamic apologist to be strong proof against the doctrine of the Trinity. I pointed out that the doctrine of the Trinity is found throughout the Bible. Starting in Genesis 1:26, the Bible states God as saying; "Let US make man." Note the plural.

Finally, the Islamic apologist made his weakest arguement. It was an impossibility for God to be three persons. I responded with Jerome's famous explanation of the Trinity. One bottle of water may be poured into three glasses. Each glass is distinct and separate, yet the same water. The three glasses of water can then be poured back into the one bottle and the three distinct waters then become one. As this physical property is common among all liquids, gases, and powders on earth, why would this ability be impossible to God? The Islamic apologist agreed that this was indeed a strong arguement and that he had no immediate reply to Jerome's explanation. (BTW, Jerome used wine instead of water in his classic example. I use water as bottled water is now common worldwide.)

In summary, the Islamic apologist's arguement was a classic example of Matthew 22:29. The Islamic apologist did not understand the scriptures nor the power of God.

Thousands Join Catholic Church at Easter

Over 100,000 American adults entered the Catholic Church at recent Easter services. In Los Angeles, 2,794 adults were expected for baptism or to make a profession of faith. 1,887 were expected down the coast in San Diego. On the East coast, Atlanta, deep in the "Bible Belt", expected 1,088 converts, including 457 baptisms.

The "2006 Official Catholic Directory" reported 80,817 adults baptized in the Catholic Church and 73,684 coming into full communion the previous year. In addition, there were 943,264 infant baptisms. It is estimated there will be about one million infant baptisms in U.S. Catholic churches during 2007.

The Catholic Church grew world-wide by about 17 million during 2006.

Source: http://www.pr-inside.com/thousands-joining-catholic-church-holy-r84679.htm

Baptisms Reflect Healthy Churches

A recent Baptist Press article by Mickey Noah states baptisms are the best indicator of church health because "...baptisms measure whether churches are reaching the lost -- not just moving believers around."

[Amen. I'm not one to encourage "sheep stealing." Moving sheep from pen to pen just changes the numbers of sheep in each pen, not the overall number of sheep. Ask any shepherd.]

What's the secret to more baptisms? Living the Gospel.

"They look for needs in the community and find ways to meet those needs, through food banks, emergency shelters, drug and alcohol recovery opportunities and other ministries"

Source: Baptist Press

The Holiest of Nights

Our church service started after dark with the lights out. The pastor lit a single large candle representing Christ. The candle, held up in the back of the church, was the sole source of light. The single solitary flame was sufficient to cast a warm glow across the entire church. As we began lighting smaller, individual candles from this one large candle, the church became brighter and brighter. With hundreds of candles, the church was now well lit and extremely beautiful. Jesus words in Matthew 5:14 became manifest; "You are the light of the world."

Scriptures for the night started with Genesis 1 and the wonderful creation story. Then we followed with the story of Abraham, the Exodus, Isaiah 55, and finally the Resurrection story from the Gospel of Luke.

Six adults entered the Church at the service. One young lady was baptised, while five other adults, having been previously baptised in other churches, made a profession of their faith. Watching the baptism, I recalled the baptismal instructions of the early Christians recorded in the Didache:

7:1 But concerning baptism, thus shall ye baptize.
7:2 Having first recited all these things, baptize {in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit} in living (running) water.
7:3 But if thou hast not living water, then baptize in other water;
7:4 and if thou art not able in cold, then in warm.
7:5 But if thou hast neither, then pour water on the head thrice in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
7:6 But before the baptism let him that baptizeth and him that is baptized fast, and any others also who are able;
7:7 and thou shalt order him that is baptized to fast a day or two before.
The Didache, Wesley Center Online

Our newest Christian was completely oblivious that, had this been sixteen centuries ago, she would have been standing naked, soaking from her baptism. Watching the pastor apply chrism to the forehead of each, I recalled the instructions recorded by Cyril of Jerusalem on annointing with chrism.

"And to you in like manner, after you had come up from the pool of the sacred streams, there was given an Unction, the anti-type of that wherewith Christ was anointed; and this is the Holy Ghost; of whom also the blessed Esaias, in his prophecy respecting Him, said in the person of the Lord, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me: He hath sent Me to preach glad tidings to the poor."
On Chrism, Cyril of Jerusalem, CCEL

Later, after the consecration of the bread and wine, as our newest members of the church were first to receive communion, my mind went back to Justin, who was martyred for his faith and his First Apology:

"And this food is called among us Euxaristi [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh."
Justin Martyr, First Apology, CCEL

Standing amidst the current generation of Christians, inhaling the pleasant aroma of incense, watching rituals that have been faithfully passed down for two millenia, and knowing that the same exact service is being held not just across town or in a nearby state, but world-wide, one time zone after another, one is keenly aware of the prophecy of Malachi 1:11.

"For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts."
Malachi 1:11

Truely, this is the holiest of nights.