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"And when they come from the market, except they baptize, they eat not. And many
other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the baptisms of cup, and pots,
brasen vessels, and of tables. . . Howbeit, in vain do they worship Me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men. For leaving the commandment of God, ye hold the
traditions of men" (The words in italics all occur in Heb. 6:).
What have we seen? Whether imposed by God (Heb. 9:), or imposed by men (Mark
7:), neither were given to make perfect, and neither touched the conscience. A
comparison of Heb. ix.9 with Heb. 10: 1 and 2 will show the repetition of such words as
"conscience," "perfect," and that these ordinances, including "baptisms," were co-
temporary with the sacrifices. Hebrews is the first scripture which definitely says that the
sacrifices were to cease. It will be remembered that in the millennial kingdom, sacrifices
will again be offered, hence until it was revealed that the kingdom and its
accompaniments had become in abeyance, the believing Jew had nothing to tell him that
sacrifices were to cease. Seeing that these things are so, we feel that we can no more
perpetuate the baptisms, than we can the sacrifices.
There is one more thought for our consideration. During the pentecostal period there
were two baptisms, namely, water and spirit. Before Pentecost there was one baptism,
namely, water. During the Acts period there were two, namely, water and spirit. After
Acts xxviii we again find one baptism, this time spirit. For the benefit of any who may
not have seen the wonderful sevenfold unity of the Spirit set out in Eph. 4:, showing by
the position of the words that the baptism is that of the Spirit, we give it here:--
4. ONE LORD.
3. ONE HOPE.
5. ONE FAITH.
2. ONE SPIRIT.
6. ONE BAPTISM.
1.
ONE BODY.
7. ONE GOD AND FATHER.
This sevenfold unity which we are to keep is contrasted with the six-fold foundation of
Heb. vi.1 which we are to leave. The Acts of the Apostles, and the epistles of that period,
are the only Scriptures that record two baptisms. This period had passed away, new
things have been given, and among them one baptism.
4. The laying on of hands.
This is closely connected with the two baptisms. Acts viii.12 "they were baptized"; 17
and 18, "They laid hands on them, and they received holy spirit. And when Simon saw
that through laying on of the apostle's hands holy spirit was given, &100:" Acts xix.6
"When Paul had laid his hands upon them, holy spirit came on them, and they spake with
tongues and prophesied." Acts 28: 8 "Paul prayed, and laid his hands on him, and
healed him." I Tim. iv.14 and II Tim. i.6 speak of the "gift" by the laying on of hands.
Acts 13: 3 and I Tim. 5: 22 record recognition of ministries by the laying on of hands.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit, tongues, prophecies, miraculous healings, and appointment to
office once came through the instrumentality of human hands. We are in a dispensation
of things "not made with hands," and all gifts and graces come from the risen Lord,