Baptism:

1. Baptism: Unwatered-down Lesson 7: A Study of Galatians 3:26-27

2. Baptism: Unwatered-downWhat are we talking about? • By Definition—Immersion in Water • An Important Bible Subject • The “One Baptism” (Eph. 4:5) • A Serious Study! • Water baptism of the Great Commission is tied in some way to salvation. That’s undeniable! • WHAT IS IT’S PURPOSE? • What does it have to do (if anything) with my salvation?

3. Matt. 28:18-20 Be baptized Christian New rela. w/ God Sinner Mark 16:15-16 Believe Be baptized Saved from sins Acts 2:38 Repent Be baptized Remission of sins Acts 22:16 Be baptized Wash away sins Rom. 6:3-4, 17 Buried in baptism Get into Christ & blood New life, free from sin

4. “Bapt-” words in N.T. = 114 times in 91 verses Mt. 3:1 Mt. 28:19 Lk. 3:12 Jn. 1:33 Ac. 8:38 Ro. 6:3 Mt. 3:6 Mk. 1:4 Lk. 3:16 Jn. 3:22 Ac. 9:18 Ro. 6:4 Mt. 3:7 Mk. 1:5 Lk. 3:21 Jn. 3:23 Ac. 10:37 1Co. 1:13 Mt. 3:11 Mk. 1:8 Lk. 7:20 Jn. 3:26 Ac. 10:47 1Co. 1:14 Mt. 3:13 Mk. 1:9 Lk. 7:28 Jn. 4:1 Ac. 10:48 1Co. 1:15 Mt. 3:14 Mk. 6:14 Lk. 7:29 Jn. 4:2 Ac. 11:16 1Co. 1:16 Mt. 3:16 Mk. 6:24 Lk. 7:30 Jn. 10:40 Ac. 13:24 1Co. 1:17 Mt. 11:11 Mk. 6:25 Lk. 7:33 Ac. 1:5 Ac. 16:15 1Co. 10:2 Mt. 11:12 Mk. 8:28 Lk. 9:19 Ac. 1:22 Ac. 16:33 1Co. 12:13 Mt. 14:2 Mk. 10:38 Lk. 12:50 Ac. 2:38 Ac. 18:8 1Co. 15:29 Mt. 14:8 Mk. 10:39 Lk. 20:4 Ac. 2:41 Ac. 18:25 Gal. 3:27 Mt. 16:14 Mk. 11:30 Jn. 1:25 Ac. 8:12 Ac. 19:3 Eph. 4:5 Mt. 17:13 Mk. 16:16 Jn. 1:26 Ac. 8:13 Ac. 19:4 Col. 2:12 Mt. 20:22 Lk. 3:3 Jn. 1:28 Ac. 8:16 Ac. 19:5 Heb. 6:2 Mt. 20:23 Lk. 3:7 Jn. 1:31 Ac. 8:36 Ac. 22:16 1Pet. 3:21 Mt. 21:25

5. Baptism: Unwatered-down Let’s Study What the Bible Says! Ro. 6:3 Ro. 6:4 Ac. 8:38 1Co. 1:13 Ac. 9:18 Ac. 10:47 1Co. 1:14 Ac. 10:48 1Co. 1:15 Ac. 11:16 1Co. 1:16 1Co. 1:17 Ac. 16:15 Ac. 16:33 1Co. 12:13 Ac. 2:38 Ac. 18:8 Ac. 2:41 Gal. 3:27 Mt. 28:19 Ac. 8:12 Eph. 4:5 Mk. 16:16 Ac. 8:13 Col. 2:12 Ac. 8:16 Ac. 19:5 Ac. 8:36 Ac. 22:16 1Pet. 3:21

6. Baptism: Unwatered-downThe Setting of the Book of Galatians • Judaizing teachers plaguing the church • Still taught Law of Moses as binding • Insisted that Christians observe the Law • Only way to be saved was to follow the Law • Emphasis of book is on the liberty found in Christ • Christ has delivered us • Turning to the old law is turning away from Christ • The works of the law could not save or give life • The Law of Moses is no longer binding! • Jesus was THE seed of Abraham—all nations blessed • The Law was the “tutor” to bring one to Christ • Once Christ & THE faith came—no longer need “tutor”

7. Gal 3:24 …the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. The old law is spoken of in the past tense—been done away. The pronouns change in verse 26. “For” explains the reason. “Christ” is the emphasis of the passage (yea, the whole book).

8. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. For • “For” is a conjunction of explanation. • “For” (Gk, gar) is the connecting link (conjunction) between verses 26 & 27 and acts as a “marker of cause or reason” (BDAG). • Verse 27 explains (“gar” could be translated “because” here) verse 26 (just as verse 26, which begins with for/gar, explains verse 25). • (The significance of the place of baptism due to the conjunction “for” is seen in point #3.)

9. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. PRESENT are PAST PAST 2. The verbs change tenses in verse 27. • Since “gar”explains the cause or reason for verse 26, it should be no wonder that: • The verb in verse 26 is present tense, and • The verbs in verse 27 are past tense. • The verbs in verse 27 explain how the “present” tense in verse 26 came to be. • Whatever happened in the past “caused” (i.e., is the means by which) now in current state. • (The significance is seen in point #3.) were baptized have put on

10. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. PRESENT are all sons of God PAST 3. Baptism causes one to be a son of God. • Baptism is singled out in verse 27! • It explains how one becomes a son of God. • The word “for” connects the two statements. • You are (present tense) this (son of God) because you did (past tense) this (baptized). • Those who believe are given “the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). • Baptized believers then become sons of God! • One either IS or IS NOT a son of God! were baptized

11. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. sons of God through the faith ^ 4. “The faith” gives baptism its strength. • In the Bible, faith is used in both a general or “subjective” sense (faith in one’s heart) & also in a particular/specific or “objective” sense (the faith system/gospel plan). • When used with the definite article (“the”), it objectively refers to the system of faith, the gospel plan. • In Greek, the definite article is present in Gal. 3:26. • It is used in this way numerous times in the N.T. • See examples on the following slides.

12. “Faith” used objectively in N.T. Acts 6:7 Then the word of God spread…and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer…withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith… 2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. 1 Tim. 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith… 2 Tim. 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Jude 1:3 …exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

13. “Faith” used objectively in Galatians Gal. 1:23 But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preachesthe faithwhich he once tried to destroy.“ Compare “the faith” in v. 23 with “the gospel” in v. 11 Gal. 1:11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. Gal. 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of [the] faith.

14. “Faith” used objectively in Galatians 3 (“The faith” used in contrast to “the law.”) Gal. 3:19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, tillthe Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator… 23 But before[the] faithcame, we werekept under guard by the law, kept for the faithwhich would afterwardbe revealed. 24 Therefore the lawwasour tutorto bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after[the] faithhas come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 FOR you are all sons of God through [the] faith in Christ Jesus.

15. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. sons of God through the faith ^ 4. “The faith” gives baptism its strength. • Sons of God are made through the system of faith delivered by Christ (the gospel plan). • As opposed to the old law! • The means of becoming sons of God is through the faith/the gospel. • As seen in point #3, baptism causes one to become a son of God; therefore, “the faith” is the means by which baptism has its strength to save (for the gospel is God’s power to save).

16. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. you are all as many of you 5. “As many of you” limits to certain ones. • Only a certain number were sons of God. • The “as many of you” in verse 27 points directly back to the “you are all” in verse 26. • Talking to the same specific group of people. • “As many of you” clarifies and limits who “are all sons of God” = those who “were baptized.” • It also clarifies and limits who are “sons of God” today. It is limited to those who are Scripturally baptized, but is open to all (3:28).

17. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 6. Baptism is the only way “into Christ.” • “Into” from the Greek word “eis” (cf. Ac. 2:38) • “Eis” is always prospective (looking forward), “indicating motion into a thing” (BDAG 288). • “to bring by baptism into fellowship with Christ” (Thayer 94) • There are no degrees—one is either in or out • The Bible only gives one way “into Christ” and that is baptism (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27). baptized into Christ

18. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. • Baptism is the only way “into Christ.” And, in Christ is THE only place to be! • “In Christ” is used in the dative case (in Greek), which signifies the “sphere of location.” • Where (what “sphere of location”) are all sons of God? Answer: “In Christ!” • There is only Scriptural way “into Christ,” namely baptism (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). baptized into Christ

19. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. • Baptism is the only way “into Christ.” In Christ are available all spiritual blessings. baptized into Christ Eph. 1:3 Chosen (Eph. 1:4) Hope (1 Cor. 15:19) Accepted (Eph. 1:6) Promises (2 Cor. 1:20) Redemption (Eph. 1:7) New creatures (2 Cor. 5:17) Forgiveness (Eph. 1:7) Consolation (Phil. 2:1) Inheritance (Eph. 1:11) Joy (Phil. 4:4) God’s kindness (Eph. 2:7) Grace (2 Tim. 2:1) No condemnation (Rm. 8:1) Eternal life (1 John 5:11) Sanctification (1 Cor. 1:2) SALVATION (2 Tim. 2:10)

20. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. • Baptism is the only way “into Christ.” One who is “in Christ” is in His body. • Being “in Christ” is an indication of a new relationship—no longer “out of” but “in.” • “In Christ”—in His head or in His body? • Baptism puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:27). • Baptism puts one into His body (1 Cor. 12:13). • Baptism puts one into His church (Ac. 2:41,47). • One cannot be in Christ & not be in His church. • One cannot be in His church & not be in Christ. baptized into Christ

21. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 6. Baptism is the only way “into Christ.” • One believes unto righteousness (Rom. 10:10). • One repents unto life (Acts 11:18). • One confesses unto salvation (Rom. 10:10). • One is baptized INTO Christ (Gal. 3:27). • There is no other way (anywhere in Scripture) into Christ! • Can one be saved without being baptized? • Can one be saved without being “in Christ”? baptized into Christ

22. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 7. One “puts on Christ” in baptism. • ASV—”For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ” (that’s what happened when you were baptized). • In baptism, you literally clothed yourselves with Christ (like putting on a garment). • Christ envelops you, identifies you and you enter a new relationship with Him in baptism! • No wonder it is commanded, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:14). Not by faith only! put on Christ

23. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 7. One “puts on Christ” in baptism. • Included in this is putting away the old man & putting on the new man (Col. 3:9-10). • This happens in baptism (Rom. 6:3-6): • Old man is crucified (Rom. 6:6) • Become a newman walking in new life (Rom. 6:4) • Become a new creature, old passed away (2 Cor. 5:17) • This new man is Christ (cf. Gal. 2:20), who is put on in baptism and not before (Gal. 3:27). put on Christ

24. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. sons of God sons of God 8. Its placement proves essentiality. • God placed baptism before being in Christ. • God placed baptism before putting on Christ. • God placed baptism as the cause of sonship. • Anyone who says otherwise, changes His order. baptized baptized baptized baptized into Christ into Christ put on Christ put on Christ

25. Answering Objections Someone says: “It cannot be proven that the baptism of Galatians 3:27 is water baptism. It likely is used figuratively here to refer to one who has completely given themselves to Christ and just immersed themselves in Him in a spiritualized way.” • When Paul writes to the Galatian churches and says, “For as many of you as were baptized…,” what would they have thought he meant about their baptism? What event would have entered their minds? It would have been the very one that EVERY one of them had experienced as a result of the apostles fulfilling the Great Commission. • The baptism of the Great Commission is the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5, which is water baptism administered by men. It’s the only baptism that fits!

26. Notice the place of baptism in Gal. 3 • “For” is a conjunction of explanation. • The verbs change tenses in verse 27. • Baptism causes one to be a son of God. • “The faith” gives baptism its strength. • “As many of you” limits to certain ones. • Baptism is the only way “into Christ.” • One “puts” on Christ in baptism. • Its placement proves essentiality. Baptism is essential to become a son of God, to get into Christ & to put on Christ!

27. Matt. 28:18-20 Be baptized Christian New rela. w/ God Sinner Mark 16:15-16 Believe Be baptized Saved from sins Acts 2:38 Repent Be baptized Remission of sins Acts 22:16 Be baptized Wash away sins Rom. 6:3-4, 17 Buried in baptism Get into Christ & blood New life, free from sin Gal. 3:26-27 Baptized Sons of God, in Christ Put on Christ