Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Biblical Historical Baptism – Baptism – Spiritual Authority vs. Popular Practice – Part One

Thomas E Kresal December 5, 2019

Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Biblical Historical ….. Baptism – Spiritual Authority vs. Popular Practice

II. What is baptism? Evangelicals and Baptistic Protestants will typically answer that baptism is a Christian’s first step of obedience and nothing more. In their efforts to clarify against the heresy of baptismal salvation, Evangelicals and Fundamentalists frame a portion of what Scripture teaches about baptism. They then canonize this myopic definition as the doctrinal standard on which they base their practice. The weightier aspects of Biblical baptism that remain outside that frame are spiritualized, following the order of classic Protestantism. That is, they are mysticized to coincide with the salvation experience. This is, in fact, one of the first doctrinal differences between historic Baptists and Protestants (regardless of whether or not they identify as “Baptists”). Protestantism integrates salvation with a mystical “baptism” and mystical “church.” This is what they call the “true church” which is synonymous with salvation. *11 Therefore, salvation is consummated by means of a mystical, spiritual “baptism” into a mystical, invisible “church.” This “church” to them is the realm of Christendom comprised of all believers. Literal water baptism, therefore, becomes only a picture of another baptism which they consider to be the “true baptism.” That is, of a spiritual “baptism of salvation” into an invisible, mystical body. By understanding this doctrinal mindset, we understand the rationale of Evangelical Protestant baptism.

FOOTNOTE *11 – Let the reader be mindful that Protestantism is reformed Catholicism (which means “universal”). Baptismal salvation was one of the earliest cultic heresies incorporated within the body of catholic doctrine. This is essentially retained today in the common form of spirit baptism. Thus, regardless of individual salvation or affiliation, Protestants are identified as such by their common doctrine. There are saved brethren today that proudly identify as Baptist, but whose essential doctrine is Protestant. Many are even hostile to the Biblical doctrine that historically distinguished Baptists from Protestants. If our doctrine is not what defines us, however, then what does? Therefore, regardless of name, those that embrace Protestant doctrine cannot fairly be considered Baptist in the true historic sense of the word.
(to be continued)

Thomas E. Kresal from: Baptist Baptism – A Heritage by Scriptural Authority vs. The Corruption of Popular Practice by Pastor Les Potter and Pastor Mac Woody, pg. 18-19

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