Lesson 701

(Lesson 701)(07-21-13) Today's lesson concerns the usage of the term "baptism" that is found in Acts 18:25. Out quote is taken from verses 24-26, "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."

The term "baptism", as it is applied in this passage, is in clear reference to the message John the Baptist taught in preparation for the coming of the Lord, as well as the traditional water (baths) immersions, John administered. In short, the term encompasses any and all of John's religious activities and practices.

I am convinced that Apollos, in the above passage, was preaching water immersion, "baptism", as a pre-requisite to being saved, or at least as a part of the process of being saved. As any concentrated study will clearly expose, that contention is scripturally and factually wrong.

We must remember that the message, John the Baptist was divinely inspired to preach, was to PREPARE for the COMING of the Lord Jesus. He DID NOT preach the message of eternal salvation by grace through faith that would be accomplished by, and preached AFTER, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, Priscilla and Aquila, upon hearing that error in Apollo's message, took him aside and taught him the doctrine of grace, through faith, established when Jesus was sacrificed on the cross, rose from the dead on the third day, and ascended to the Father fulfilling the old law and it's requirement for water "baptism".

Evidence of my original contention that Apollos was teaching water "baptism" as part of salvation, is borne out in 1 Corinthians 1:11-13 wherein Paul says, "For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name."

The confusion among those Corinthians to whom Paul wrote is evidenced by Paul's desire to correct it. I am convinced that the confusion was caused by some, Apollos in particular, who, like Apollos, were wrongly connecting water immersion to the salvation of the eternal soul that is offered, with NO strings, to all who will only believe and place their faith in Jesus Christ.~