Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

PERPETUATING THE BAPTISM OF JOHN

The baptism of John the Baptist and modern day church authority are inexorable. This is a huge statement, so please consider what it means.

First, consider the ministry of John. In John 1:6-7 it is written, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all men through him might believe.” The ministry of John is given in more detail in Matthew 3. It goes without question that the ministry of John was heaven sent. His authority to baptize such as brought forth fruit meet for repentance came directly from God. No other could do what John was doing. Jesus traveled far to be baptized of John, thus setting the pattern and example of validation of His commission. The baptism of John was essential to the first Christians, and it was a requirement of whomever filled the office from which Judas Iscariot fell. Acts, I.

The disciples of Jesus baptized others on the basis of this same baptism given them through the commission of Jesus Who received the baptism of John. Later, Jesus placed this ministry clearly and undisputedly within the commission of His blood-bought church. Matthew 28:18-20.

Consequently, the first church perpetuated the baptism of John with full authority from heaven. As a result, New Testament churches all around the Mediterranean Sea were established with each individual pre-requisite being born from above and having followed the Lord into the watery grave of baptism. The acts of the first church and the first churches affirm the validity of this statement. Thus, did ancient churches know no other baptism than that begun in the ministry of John.

However, over the years, men have taken great, unauthorized liberty with the Word of God, its principles, and examples. Failure to look to it as the final rule of authority in all things has led to apostate Christianity. Men of religion have taken it upon themselves to establish movements that are easily rejected as having any spiritually intrinsic value. Sincere, but sincerely wrong individuals have baptized one another and then palmed themselves off as the work of God. Such are described in 2 Cor. 11:13-15 very well.

Presently, many churches caught up in the spirit of ecumenism practice what is called “Believer’s Baptism,” which simply means they don’t care who baptizes someone so long as the individual professes faith in Jesus before immersion. As churches move away from the

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