Page 47 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

BANDS - BAPTISM-IMMERSION

hundred each, with an officer over each hundred called Ro. 6:4 and Col. 2:12. There is no N.T. support for the
a centurion. The “Italian band” (Ac 10:1) was a body of practice of sprinkling or pouring. Both of these practices
strictly Roman soldiers from Italy. “Augustus’ band” (Ac. corrupt the proper symbolism of the ordinance.
17:1) was one of the five cohorts stationed at Caesarea What Is the Meaning of Baptism? Water baptism is a
(Clow). (2) Bound with a cord (Job 39:10; Da. 4:15). picture and public testimony of spiritual realities. It is
(3) To band together (Ac. 23:12). [See Military.] called a “figure” in 1 Pe. 3:21. (1) Baptism is a public
BANDS. The name applied to one of the two staves testimony of repentance and faith in Christ (Ac.
which symbolized the Lord’s covenant with Israel (Ze. 8:34-38; 16:30-34; 2:37-38). (2) Baptism identifies one
11:7, 10, 14). “One staff was called Beauty; the other, with Christ and depicts salvation—dying with Christ and
Bands, or Concord. They spoke of the pastoral care being raised to eternal life with Him (Ro. 6:3-6).
Israel is yet to know, when, with the beauty of the Lord Baptism shows the Gospel—the death, burial, and
her God upon her, she shall dwell in unity and concord resurrection of Jesus Christ.
as one nation in the land covenanted to What Is the Purpose of Baptism? It is not for salvation,
Abraham” (Ironside). but is a public testimony of faith in Christ and a picture
BANI (built). 2 Sa. 23:36. of the gospel. To interpret the Bible properly, the Bible
BANQUETING, BANQUETINGS. To partake of a teacher must “compare spiritual things with spiritual” (1
banquet, in the worldly, immoral sense; drinking Co. 2:13). The false teacher, though, takes verses out of
alcoholic beverages; carousing; reveling (1 Pe. 4:3). The context and uses isolated verses to overthrow the clear
term “banqueting” in itself can be positive or negative, teaching of the Bible as a whole. He puts one definition
depending on the context. It is used in a positive sense on a Bible word and then forces that definition into all
in Song of Solomon 2:4. passages, regardless of the context. That is what those
BAPTISM - FIRE. The baptism by fire is one of the do who teach that baptism is a part of salvation. False
distinctive teachings of the Pentecostal/Charismatic teachers use John 3:5 to teach the heresy of baptismal
movement. Some Pentecostal groups have named regeneration, claiming that to be “born of water” refers
themselves such things as “Fire Baptized Holy Ghost” to salvation. For the following reasons, we know this is
people. The idea of being baptized by the Holy Spirit not true: (1) The passage says absolutely nothing about
and fire is also seen in the titles of books about the baptism. (2) Jesus is contrasting the natural birth with
Pentecostal movement, such as that of Roman Catholic the spiritual birth. Thus “born of water” refers to the
Ralph Martin entitled Fire on the Earth published in tiny unborn baby enclosed in a sack of water in his
1976. The concept of being baptized by the Holy Spirit mother’s womb; and when the water breaks he is born
and fire comes from John’s prophecy in Matthew of water. (3) In this same passage, Christ taught that
3:11-12. Pentecostals believe the baptism of fire was a salvation is by faith alone and not by ritual or works
baptism of power, but they ignore the context. John the (Jn. 3:14-18, 36). False teachers use Acts 2:38 to
Baptist was speaking to the Jews. Those who believed in overthrow all of the rest of the New Testament’s
Christ were baptized with the Holy Spirit on the day of teaching about baptism and salvation. How do we know
Pentecost, but those who reject Christ will be baptized that Acts 2:38 is not saying that baptism removes sins?
with the fire of judgment. See also Is. 66:15, 16; Mal. First of all, we must understand that “baptism for the
3:2 - 4:1; 1 Th. 1:9-11; Re. 19-20. Praise God that remission of sins” can mean one of two things: it can
because of the blood of Christ no true Christian will ever mean baptism “in order for” sins to be remitted, or it
be baptized by fire. [See Charismatic Movement, Hell, can mean baptism “because of” sins already remitted
Holy Spirit, Prophecy.] (Lk. 5:13-14). In other words, Acts 2:38 could mean
BAPTISM - IMMERSION. that baptism takes away sin or it could just as easily
mean that baptism merely follows the forgiveness of
What Is the Requirement for Baptism? The sins. How do we know that it is the latter? (1) We know
requirement for baptism is repentance and faith in the Peter was saying baptism follows the remission of sins
Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8:36-37; 2:38-41). because the rest of the book of Acts shows baptism
What Is the Proper Mode of Baptism? In the N.T., following faith and forgiveness (8:35-38; 10:43-44, 47;
baptism always means immersion in water except when 16:30-33). (2) We know this because Peter himself said
the passage refers to Spirit baptism. (1) The early baptism is not salvation but is a figure of salvation (1 Pe.
Christians baptized by going down into the water and 3:20-21). (3) We know this because Paul said baptism is
coming up out of the water (Ac. 8:38-39). John the not the gospel (1 Co. 1:17; 15:1-4). It is the gospel that
Baptist needed much water for baptism (Jn. 3:23). Jesus is the power of God unto salvation (Ro. 1:16). (4) We
Christ came up out of the water (Mt. 3:16). (2) The word know this because Mark 16:16 says that God’s judgment
baptism means to immerse or dip and is called “burial” in comes because of unbelief rather than because of lack of

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 47