The Baptism Cult: Exposing the International Church of Christ by Gene Jr. Cook

Author:Gene, Jr. Cook [Gene, Jr. Cook]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Cults, International Churches of Christ, Christian Sects, Christianity, United States, Religion, Christian Church, Denominations, General, History
ISBN: 9780970525918
Publisher: St Aztec Pub
Published: 2002-09-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

There seems to be two extremes concerning bap-

tism. On the one hand we see the ICC's position of

baptismal regeneration as unbiblical and an over

emphasis on the meaning and design of baptism. On

the other hand we see a devaluation of Christian bap-

tism among many professing denominations and

churches. The Bible is clear concerning the importance

45

The Significance of Christian Baptism

and significance of Christian baptism.

The New Testament opens with the historical

account of God's prophet, John the Baptist:

"Now in those days John the Baptist came,

preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 'Repent,

for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is the

one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said,

'THE VOICE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, MAKE

READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS

STRAIGHT!" Now John himself had a garment of

camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist; and

his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem

was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district

around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by

him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins."

Matthew 1:1-6

Instantly we are introduced to the baptism of repen-

tance that John was preaching in the wilderness. This is

the first mention of baptism in the Bible and is signifi-

cant for us to understand. John was calling the nation

of Israel to repentance - to literally come out and take a

bath. It was only those who showed repentance through

the confession of their sins that were considered to be

the proper subjects of baptism. Although this is the first

time that baptism is mentioned in the Bible, it's not the

first time that the followers of God were called to take

a "bath."

46

Gene Cook Jr.

The Old Testament mentions ceremonial washings.

This becomes significant and foundational for a proper

understanding of baptism. For example, the priests of

God were called to bathe so that they would be consid-

ered ceremonially clean, thus fit for the service of God.

"He shall bathe his body with water in a holy place

and put on his clothes, and come forth and offer his

burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people and

make atonement for himself and for the people. Then

he shall offer up in smoke the fat of the sin offering on

the altar. The one who released the goat as the

scapegoat shall wash his clothes and bathe his body

with water; then afterward he shall come into the

camp. But the bull of the sin offering and the goat of

the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make

atonement in the holy place, shall be taken outside the

camp, and they shall burn their hides, their flesh, and

their refuse in the fire. Then the one who burns them

shall wash his clothes and bathe his body with water,

then afterward he shall come into the camp."

Leviticus 16:24-28

This becomes rather interesting when we get to the

gospel of John. John 3 tells of a special discussion con-

cerning this issue:

"John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim,

47

The Significance of Christian Baptism

because there was much water there; and people were

coming and were being baptized for John had not yet

been thrown into prison. Therefore there arose a

discussion on the part of John's disciples with a Jew

about purification.

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