FULLY WET
Tuesday – October 17, 2017
Let’s delve right back into our primary text from the wonderful Book of Hebrews to continue our Bible Study.
Hebrews 6:1-3 (KJV)
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Yesterday, I had started to deal with Hebrews 6:2 and the doctrine of baptisms. This doctrine (instruction or teaching) of baptisms among the others listed are considered by the writer and by extension God to be foundational, the milk fed at the new birth. This doctrine, policy, principle, or guideline is to be received, proven, assimilated (integrated, adapted, adjusted, and conformed) into our thoughts, words, and actions to mimic our God. Yesterday I had again introduced Romans 1:20 which in a paraphrase tells us that if we understand how natural things work even to the most basic components in this physical creation we will more readily understand the spiritual world.
The Church has been told for a very long time that education is not important in the things of God when all the while it is foundational, fundamental. Where do we think the world (devil) got the idea that knowledge was king, that the more educated or expert a person was in a certain area the further they could and would be promoted. God does not mind if we hoot and holler and dance around but He abhors empty or idle words and a failure to engage meaningfully in the building of the Kingdom of God. A man or woman is not a skilled doctor on the first day of medical school even though they may think they are quite the cat’s meow.
The word “baptisms” from our text is pleural and means to be completely wet, a ceremonial washing, a spiritual cleansing. I will deal with three baptisms. First is the baptism into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, second is the baptism in water, and the third is the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is co-mingled with the first but separate from the first. A primary reason I have spent time with Romans 1:20 and education is that it is crucial to maturity in the body of Christ and it helps us understand especially the first baptism of full immersion into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Recall that in Scripture water is frequently symbolic of the Word of God. So being baptized into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit would mean to be fully immersed in what the Word of God says about our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Our response is to strive to become more and more wet. Acquiring knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, becoming fully wet or immersed, into a thing is a conscious choice and by necessity requires the attaining an age of understanding.
If one of us was to go to work with General Motors there would be a period of time assigned for our training in the policies, the procedures, and the ways of General Motors. As time goes by we are expected to think, talk, and act like a person wholly committed to General Motors. The better that we do this the faster we ascend the promotion ladder. The Kingdom of God is not unlike this example. If we join the Army, we will spend several weeks being fully immersed into the thinking, the talk, and the ways of the Army. Back to the General Motors example: how do you think one might fare if they are always talking Ford Motor Company? Does the Church do this? Talk like the world while claiming to love Jesus, all the while ignoring their God given assignments to build the Kingdom of God.
From the very beginning the Lord has demanded that we be fully committed to Him. Anything less is to play the part of the harlot being in spiritual adultery, fornication with the world. We see all down through the Old Covenant that a lack of adherence to the Policy and Procedure Manuel resulted in a separation from God and from the family of God. See what the Lord said about the “uncircumcised man child”.
Genesis 17:14 (KJV)
14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
When we fast forward to the New Covenant (New Blood Covenant) we find Jesus telling the disciples and us that this immersion is key, essential, to the exercise of His authority, all that we do is in the name of Jesus, given to us (Power of Attorney) to accomplish all things for the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Although this is commonly, perhaps almost universally, interpreted as referring to water baptism I do not see anything to support that in the context. Notice that being baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost involves teaching. This teaching involves the Trinity and the essential part that each plays in our lives. The only names that have authority in our lives are those of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The only name in which we can exercise authority and power is the name of Jesus for He is our Redeemer, and our Lord. We become immersed by teaching. Of course, the teaching must be listened too and seen, integrated into our thoughts, speech, and subsequent actions. Look at the same event through the eyes of Mark.
Mark 16:15-16 (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
The preceding passage has given way to the false teaching that one must be baptized in water after salvation in order to go to Heaven. This is likely a holdover from the teaching at the time of the baptism of John the Baptist. When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus in John chapter three there was no mention of water baptism or baptism in the Holy Spirit linked with salvation. What about Luke?
Luke 24:47-49 (KJV)
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Here, Jesus, does not us the term baptism, however this is all the same event and the discussion, His commands relate to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, not in water. Luke writes the following in the Book of Acts. Remember this is all of the same event.
Acts 1:5 (KJV)
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
The point that I am getting at is that water baptism is not a part of any of Jesus’ parting commands but teaching repentance, salvation, the exercise of authority, and baptism in the Holy Ghost is necessary for the Power of God to manifest in our lives and through us in the lives of others. This is immersion into the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost, and the Kingdom of God.
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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