Don’t Take the Supper at Youth Camp or Get Baptized in the Jordan - by Ben Robin

Found here. Our comments in bold.
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The author isn't here to explain the Bible, he's here to explain his tradition and church practice. He quotes some Bible verses and essentially inserts them into his pre-arranged doctrines. What comes out of that unfortunate combination bears no resemblance to what the Bible teaches.

Baptism is not a church ceremony, it is a statement by the one being baptized regarding his faith and commitment to Christ. It belongs to him, not the church. Anytime believers get together it is a manifestation of the church, and baptisms can occur.

Communion is not a church ceremony either. It's a community meal and fellowship time where the Blood and the Body is honored. Anytime believers get together to do this it is a manifestation of the church. Communion belongs to the those who gather, not the church.

In the end, we are not interested in the author's traditions. We are happy for him if he finds meaning in them. But we will not tolerate him misrepresenting the Scriptures.

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What Jesus Meant by “Water and the Spirit” - by John MacArthur

Found here. Though we've often taken issue with Dr. MacArthur's teaching, the below article is on the whole very good.

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This post was first published in December, 2018. —ed.

There’s nothing we can do to earn our way into God’s kingdom. We need God to do something to us.

That truth demolishes every religious system outside of Christianity. And that is the sobering reality Jesus used to initiate His evangelistic encounter with Nicodemus—a man who had devoted his whole life to earning favor with God through his own pious efforts.

To anyone who lacked Nicodemus’s familiarity with the Old Testament, Christ’s words in John 3:5–7 would have created confusion.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, “You must be born again.” (John 3:5–7)

In fact, many Bible students who examine this passage are confused by it. Some have suggested that when Jesus spoke of “water,” He was speaking of baptism—and some of them then interpret this to be a statement about the necessity of water baptism as a prerequisite for regeneration. But John’s baptism could not have been a means of regeneration, because it signified an already-repentant heart, which is a fruit of regeneration. Christian baptism (likewise a symbol, not a means, of regeneration) had not even been instituted yet. So the idea of baptism is utterly foreign to this passage.

Is holy fire a bad thing to pray for?

Introduction

Some commentators, in their criticism of charismatics, complain about those who would want the "fire of the Holy Spirit." These commentators would have us believe that fire from God is always a negative thing, it's always a manifestation of God's judgment or wrath.

We would suggest that the fire of God can be much more than judgment. But this doesn't set well with some. With the preconception that fire must always mean judgment, they prefer that people would not pray for holy fire because to them it represents the excesses of charismaticism. That is, if charismatics do it, it must be wrong.

In fact, if the reader will review the link we provided above, he will find that the author warns that God might give you a disease if you ask for His fire! He writes, Don’t ask for more 'holy fire' in your life; you might get cancer when God answers your prayers. 

This astonishing statement, offered almost in a joking manner, ought to offend any thinking Christian. He thinks that asking God for the wrong thing could lead Him to give you a disease.

Does anyone really believe that God would inflict cancer on someone who has called on His name, believed on His Son, and desires to serve Him with more adequately? Is this the capricious god we serve, one who would pour out curses and pain on those who love him?

This is reminiscent of Linus, Charlie Brown's little friend, who was terrified the Great Pumpkin would notice his slip of the tongue and pass him by. But our God is not like this. He does not punish His redeemed with disease and infirmity simply because we asked for the wrong thing. He does not torture us.

We are therefore spurred on to examine the Scriptures for ourselves. Is the fire of God always a bad thing? Does it always represent wrath or judgment? We don't think so. We think it can also represent  increased passion, purity, or devotion.

So let's examine the the other side of the issue. Is holy fire really judgment?

Let's briefly review God's fire and what it can mean.

The OT

It is certainly true that fire can represent judgment. We read of the fire of God's judgment in many places, like

Isaiah 29:6 From the LORD of hosts you will be punished with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, With whirlwind and tempest and the flame of a consuming fire.

This is a common picture of fire in the OT (Josh. 7:15, 2Kg. 1:10,

But we also read that He appeared as a pillar of fire by night as He led Israel:

Ex. 13:21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

He also descended in fire upon Mt. Sinai when Moses ascended to receive the 10 commandments:

Ex. 24:17 To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. 

Fire in the OT often represents the manifest Glory of God (Ex. 3:2, 2Sa. 22:9), or consuming a sacrifice (1Kg. 18:38, 1Ch. 21:26).

Fire can be deadly, or it can be awe or fear inspiring. Fire is not automatically judgment.

The NT

Cessationism: Episode 9, the work of the Holy Spirit. Baptized in the Spirit?

Our next Episode in the cessationism series.

Additional Episodes:

• Episode 1, the Perfect.
• Episode 2, the apostles.
• Episode 3, prophecy.
• Episode 4, the closed canon.
• Episode 5, extra biblical reasons.
• Episode 6, only the apostles had all truth.
• Episode 7, there were only limited periods of miracles.
• Episode 8, tongues.
• Episode 9, the work of the Holy Spirit.
• Episode 10, does God speak only through the Scriptures?
• Episode 11, what about impressions?
• Episode 12, what is discernment? 
• Episode 13, the sufficiency of Scripture.
• Episode 14, Was the purpose of miracles restricted to the authentication of the apostles?
• Episode 15, Is revival excluded because of apostasy?
• Episode 16, is prophecy subjective?
• Episode 17, Could only the apostles confer miraculous powers or gifts?
• Episode 18, are charismatics functional cessationists?
• Episode 19 - Hebrews chapter one and the cessation of the sign gifts.

Our criteria for the cessationism debate is that the argument must

1. be from the Bible
2. Not appeal to contemporary expressions of charismata
3. Not appeal to silence
4. Not appeal to events or practices of history

That is, any defense of cessationism must be Sola Scriptura.
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Cessationism - Episode 8 -Tongues

Our next Episode in the cessationism series.

Additional Episodes:

• Episode 1, the Perfect.
• Episode 2, the apostles.
• Episode 3, prophecy.
• Episode 4, the closed canon.
• Episode 5, extra biblical reasons.
• Episode 6, only the apostles had all truth.
• Episode 7, there were only limited periods of miracles.
• Episode 8, tongues.
• Episode 9, the work of the Holy Spirit.
• Episode 10, does God speak only through the Scriptures?
• Episode 11, what about impressions?
• Episode 12, what is discernment? 
• Episode 13, the sufficiency of Scripture.
• Episode 14, Was the purpose of miracles restricted to the authentication of the apostles?
• Episode 15, Is revival excluded because of apostasy?
• Episode 16, is prophecy subjective?
• Episode 17, Could only the apostles confer miraculous powers or gifts?
• Episode 18, are charismatics functional cessationists?
• Episode 19 - Hebrews chapter one and the cessation of the sign gifts.

Our criteria for the cessationism debate is that the argument must

1. be from the Bible
2. Not appeal to contemporary expressions of charismata
3. Not appeal to silence
4. Not appeal to events or practices of history

That is, any defense of cessationism must be Sola Scriptura.
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Does Jesus teach water baptism in John chapter 3?

Does being "born of water" mean water baptism? Isolated from its context, verse 5 could be forced to suggest water baptism: "no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."

We will find the actual meaning of the verse by reading the entire passage in context.

Jn. 3:3-8 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?

Notice what Jesus says in verse 6, as he amplifies verse 5: "Flesh gives birth to flesh (first birth), and "Spirit gives birth to spirit" (i.e., born again). Jesus is telling Nicodemus that the natural birth is is not enough to "see the kingdom of God" (vs. 5). Something else is required, to be "born of the Spirit" (vs. 8). In fact, Jesus suggests that this is simple, and that Nicodemus as a teacher of Israel should understand these things (vs. 10).

"You must be born again" is not the same as "You must be baptized." - John 3:3 - 3:6

There are those who have a curious take on this passage in order to support their contention that water baptism is required to be saved. Unfortunately for them, this passage does not teach this. It's not even about baptism at all.

BAPTIZED WITH FIRE? by Steve Finnell

Found here. Reproduced here for fair use and discussion purposes. My comments in bold.

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Finally Mr. Finnell takes on a new topic. Unfortunately, he once again fails basic Bible knowledge. He isolates a passage of Scripture from its context,  infers a conclusion, and then deems baptism with fire to be a bad thing.

I cover this in some depth with another post, so some of this will be a duplication.

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THE ONE BAPTISM -BY STEVE FINNELL

Found here. My comments in bold.

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Mr. Finnell persists in his claim that one needs to be baptized in water to be saved: 
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THE APOSTLE PAUL SAID THERE IS ONE BAPTISM. WHAT IS THAT BAPTISM? (EPHESIANS 4:5 ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM,) WHAT IS THAT ONE BAPTISM?

There is one baptism. Is it water baptism or baptism with the Holy Spirit? (Granting for a moment that there is only a singular baptism, which I would dispute, then what does Mr. Finnell do with the baptism of the Holy Spirit? I'm going to surmise that Mr. Finnell believes the baptism of the Holy Spirit has ceased. This would conveniently allow him to claim there is only one baptism, water baptism.)

The 12 apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. What was the purpose of their baptism? (Notice that Mr. Finnell will restrict his discussion to the apostles, which suggests he believes that only the Apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Most certainly he believes the Apostles received a "special" amount of Holy Spirit not available to us today.)

THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN? - BY STEVE FINNELL

Found here. Reproduced here for fair use and discussion purposes. My comments in bold.
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Mr. Finnell asks how being born of water can be anything but water baptism. He would find the answer by actually reading the Scripture in question to determine context. Here is the passage, only a part of which, verse 5, seems to interest Mr. Finnell:

Jn. 3:3-8 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?

Notice what Jesus says in verse 6, as he amplifies verse 5: "Flesh gives birth to flesh (first birth), and "Spirit gives birth to spirit" (i.e., born again). Jesus is telling Nicodemus that the natural birth is is not enough to "see the kingdom of God" (vs. 5). Something else is required, to be "born of the Spirit" (vs. 8). In fact, Jesus suggests that this is simple, and that Nicodemus as a teacher of Israel should understand these things (vs. 10).

Jesus is speaking also to arrogant attitude of the Jews regarding their status as the chosen nation. This is a critical understanding, for remember that Nicodemus was a teacher of the law, and believed that being a Jew and keeping the law was sufficient. Jesus is not teaching Nicodemus that he had to be baptized.

Let's go to the account of John the Baptist. He is baptizing in the River Jordan when he has an encounter with the teachers of the law:

"But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.'" Mt. 3:7-11

Notice John the Baptist condemned the teachers of the law for their smug nationalism, as if that were enough. Remember that John the Baptist was a forerunner (Matt 3:3). He was preparing the way by using water baptism for repentance. But he knew that such a baptism was inferior to the one Jesus would bring, that is, the baptism of the "Holy Spirit and with fire." 

This old order, the external regulations, have passed away, and John the Baptist's ministry was transitory. It is not enough to be born a Jew. It is not enough to be baptized in water and repent. The new way cleanses the conscience. He. 9:8-10: 

"The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings — external regulations applying until the time of the new order."

Jesus is intent on telling Nicodemus that his genetics isn't enough. He wants Nicodemus to know that salvation comes in a way Nicodemus had not considered. Jesus is teaching the teacher spiritual things, the true way of salvation. Being born of the Spirit is the issue, not the water. Tit. 3:5-6: 

"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior..."

Peter reinforces the idea: 1Pe. 1:23: 

"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God."

There is the natural birth, which is perishable, and the spiritual birth, which is imperishable. Being born again is a supernatural occurrence,  here brought about by the Word, the word that washes us per Ep. 5:25: 

"...Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."

The testimony of Scripture is that we need to be washed by the Word and the Holy Spirit. Water does nothing for us.
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The scribes and Pharisees had a spiritual problem, they liked man-made doctrine better than God's commandments.

Matthew 15:1-9 ....3..."Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?.....9 And in vain they do worship Me, Teaching as doctrine the commandments of men." (NKJV)

When Jesus said unless one is born of water he cannot enter the kingdom of God; was he expressing God's commandment? (John 3:5)

When men say you have to be born of amniotic fluid to enter the kingdom of God; it that a doctrine of God or a teaching of men?(John 3:5)

How could born of water be anything but water baptism?

When Jesus said unless one is born of water and the Spirit, He was giving requirements in order to enter the kingdom of God.

Being born of water does not mean you have to exist in order to enter the kingdom of God. The existence of men is obvious. Existence is not a term for pardon.


When Jesus said "he who believes will be saved," was He stating a commandment of God? (Mark 16:16)

When Jesus said he said " is baptized will be saved," was He stating a commandment of God? (Mark 16:16)

When men say "men are baptized after they are saved." is that a commandment of God?

When men say " men are baptized as an act of obedience and it is not essential for the forgiveness of sins", is that a doctrine of God or doctrine of men?

WATER BAPTISM OR HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM? By Steve Finnell

Found here. My comments in bold.

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Mr. Finnell must be responding to those of us who are challenging his position on water baptism. Reluctant to enter into a dialogue, he simply creates new posts on his blog where he restates his position, emphatically, without offering anything new. 

I suppose this is easier and safer than actually debating with one's interlocutors. It relieves him of the necessity of the give and take of intellectual exchange. 

I posted an extensive discussion of baptism here, the points of which I shall try to avoid repeating.

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Did Jesus command water baptism or Holy Spirit baptism? There is just one baptism; which did Jesus command? Ephesians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (NASB) (Indeed there is one baptism we are called to. Was it water baptism?)

Matthew 28:16-19 But the eleven disciples...18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (NASB) (The reader will note that Jesus did not say, "baptizing them in water." One would think that if Jesus was requiring water baptism, He would have been baptizing thousands himself. In fact, Jesus was not a baptizer. "The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples." Jn 4:1-2  

Jesus did not baptize anyone, nor is there any record of Him commanding His disciples to baptize with water. 

Helpfully, John the Baptist tells us what Jesus would do: "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." [Mt. 3:11] This is John the Baptist minimizing his own baptisms and pointing to a better one.

Jesus frequently referred to the Holy Spirit, even indicating that it was better He should go so that the Holy Spirit could come. And, we see the Holy Spirit is important to Jesus, even to the point of Him imparting the Holy Spirit to the disciples: "And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit." Jn. 20:22  

You would have thought he would have baptized them if water baptism was so important, but He didn't. Instead, he pointed to the One he would send. That's where we should look as well.)

Baptism - is it required for salvation?

I’ve been thinking about the doctrine of baptism. we tend to think that we understand what the Bible teaches because we've thought it out, studied, and researched. But that isn't necessarily so. So much of what I thought I believed was simply because someone told me so. A sermon is too often substituted for personal study.

The doctrine of baptism is one such thing. What does the Bible teach about baptism? Perhaps not what we think. Baptism has a long tradition, including among the Jews, who ritually washed themselves. The practice of water baptism continued into the church as a ordinance or sacrament of the faith. Importantly, the idea of being washed in both blood and water has both natural and spiritual implications.

So, I'm going to explore some of the ideas surrounding baptism. This is by no means a thorough exposition, nor is it necessarily scholarly. I am not a Bible scholar.

The Old Testament

We well know that the offering of blood for the remission of sins is a crucial part of Jewish understanding. Large portions of the O.T. are instructions and references to blood sacrifice. All of this, of course, was pointing to the ultimate sacrifice for sin, given once for all in the person of Jesus Christ. But not as clear to me was how baptism connects to this.

The earliest biblical mention I could find regarding something akin to baptism is Num. 19:20-21:

"But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he must be cut off from the community, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on him, and he is unclean. This is a lasting ordinance for them. The man who sprinkles the water of cleansing must also wash his clothes, and anyone who touches the water of cleansing will be unclean till evening."

Like the blood sacrifices, this "water of cleansing" was a carefully described ritual act. Someone who was not clean could not enter the Temple to worship, and was actually an outcast, not part of the people. Of course, such a person could be restored to the community by becoming ceremonially clean, but until then they were unfit for worship and unfit to be part of the people.

David's famous statement in Ps. 51:7, "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow" ties in here as well. Hyssop was used to place blood on the doorframe so as to be passed over. Moses sprinkled the people with blood at the giving of the commandments. Hyssop also was used to sprinkle water for ceremonial cleanness. Nu. 19:18: "Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water and sprinkle the tent and all the furnishings and the people who were there."

And as an interesting aside, a hyssop branch was what carried the sponge with sour wine to Jesus' lips as He hung on the cross.

This "sprinkling,"is a physical representation of the spiritual cleansing God intends. The Messiah, the Lamb of God, is offered for the sins of the world, and His blood washes those who are unclean because of sin. That sin prevented us from coming in worship, and also separated us from the Body of Christ. What is particular to the Jews in a physical manifestation is a picture of what God intends for all men, both Jew and Gentile. Is. 52:15:

"... so will he sprinkle many nations, so will many nations marvel at him and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand."

I like that this shown as a revelation, that those with spiritual eyes and ears will discern the glory of God as He offers His son as one sacrifice for all.

Ez. 36:25-27 continues this theme:

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."

This is a greater act than ritual cleansing, it's a change in the inner man, where we receive a tender heart and a new spirit. This washing is supernatural, transformative, and it is so thorough and efficacious that God's own Spirit can take up residence in us. Now we can truly keep the law, be worshipers in Spirit and truth, and take our place in the Body as one of the living stones. That law, the law of Christ, is grace imparted to us, not by virtue of how well we clean ourselves, but by how completely we have been washed by the blood of Jesus and thence filled by His Holy Spirit.