Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: The Doctrine of Baptism (Part 1)

Beloved, I feel inspired to write unto you from our “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” series on a new theme entitled, “The Doctrine of Baptisms.” This is an area of biblical theology that has ignited much controversy and debate. However, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will only share with our church family the views found in the Holy Writ.

Precious Ones, the Doctrine of Baptisms was as much in evidence in the Old Testament as in the New. However, in the Old Testament this doctrine “stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them [the Old Testament saints] until the time of reformation” (Hebrews 9:10). In the New Testament we were given the gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior. “Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle…” (Hebrews 9:11). In the same chapter Paul says, “For this cause he [Jesus] is the mediator [between the Old Testament and] …the New Testament, that by means of [his] death…they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15). In other words, Paul is saying that through Jesus’ death on Calvary we have access to redemption through baptism. When we simply obey God’s command to be immersed in water in Jesus’ Name, our Lord combines (mediates) both the Old and New Testament laws on our behalf.

Chosen Ones, in the Book of Hebrews, the apostle Paul draws from the laws of Israel as recorded in the book of Exodus, where it is written, “The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Thou shalt also make a laver [bowl] of brass…to wash withal…and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle [the holy place] of the congregation and the altar [which was in the most holy place], and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron [the high priest] and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not” (Exodus 30:17-20). Beloved, from these statements, it can be clearly seen that the washings of the Old Testament were the equivalent of the baptisms in the New Testament. Beloved, if you don’t want to “die” in sin, if you want access to the “most holy” God, you must wash or be baptized!

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this,

I love you all so very much.
In His love,

Pastor William L. McCoy