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NASB | Matthew 3:15 But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he *permitted Him. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 3:15 But Jesus replied to him, "Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John permitted [it and baptized] Him. |
Subject: What does water baptism do? |
Bible Note: Greetings Grace and Truth... For a more well rounded perspective of Ephesians 4:5, please see the commentary below.. "Eph 4:5 - Similarly "faith" and "baptism" (the sacramental seal of faith) are connected (Mar_16:16; Col_2:12). Compare 1Co_12:13, "Faith" is not here that which we believe, but the act of believing, the mean by which we apprehend the "one Lord." "Baptism" is specified, being the sacrament whereby we are incorporated into the "one body." Not the Lord's Supper, which is an act of matured communion on the part of those already incorporate, "a symbol of union, not of unity" [ELLICOTT]. In 1Co_10:17, where a breach of union was in question, it forms the rallying point [ALFORD]. There is not added, "One pope, one council, one form of government" [Cautions for Times]. The Church is one in unity of faith (Eph_4:5; Jud_1:3); unity of origination (Eph_2:19-21): unity of sacraments (Eph_4:5; 1Co_10:17; 1Co_12:13): unity of "hope" (Eph_4:4; Tit_1:2); unity of charity (Eph_4:3): unity (not uniformity) of discipline and government: for where there is no order, no ministry with Christ as the Head, there is no Church [PEARSON, Exposition of the Creed, Article IX]." (1) "...One baptism. All have been baptized into the "one Lord" upon the profession of the "one faith" by one rite. It would be utterly inconsistent with the Apostle's argument, if there could be anything divisive about baptism, as three different ways of administering itself. He is showing that there is unity in each one of seven essential features of Christianity, and hence all should seek to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (2) "..One baptism. This does not affirm that there is one mode of baptism, but it refers to the thing itself. They are all baptized in the name of the same Father, Saviour, Sanctifier. They have all in this manner been consecrated unto God, and devoted to his service. Whether by immersion, or by pouring, or by sprinkling, they have all been baptized with water; whether it is done in adult years, or in infancy, the same solemn act has been performed on all--the act of consecration to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. This passage cannot be adduced to prove that only one mode of baptism is lawful, unless it can be shown that the thing referred to here was the mode and not the thing itself; and unless it can be proved that Paul meant to build his argument for the unity of Christians on the fact that the same form was used in their baptism. But this is evidently not the point of his argument. The argument is, that there was really but one baptism--not that there was but one mode of baptism. I could not use this argument in this form--"Christians should be one because they have been all baptized by sprinkling;" and yet the argument would be just as forcible as to use it in this form-- "Christians should be one because they have all been baptized by immersion." There is one baptism, not one mode of baptism; and no man has a right to assume that there can be but one mode, and then apply this passage to that. The essential thing in the argument before us is, that there has been a consecration to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, by the application of water. Thus understood, the argument is one that will be felt by all who have been devoted to God by baptism. They have taken the same vows upon them. They have consecrated themselves to the same God. They have made the same solemn profession of religion. Water has been applied to one and all as the emblem of the purifying influences of the Holy Spirit; and having been thus initiated in a solemn manner into the same profession of religion, they should be one." (3) Ephesians 4:5 does not prove or uphold that a person must be baptised by water in order to be saved. To make that assertion, you are adding an entirely different meaning to what is actually given to us in Ephesians 4:5. Blessings to you, Makarios (1) Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary (2) The People's New Testament (3) Barnes' Notes on the NT |