THE FRUITS OF CHURCH GROWTH (II)
Preacher James Tan

Spiritual Growth in the Sacrament of Baptism

The sacraments are a vital part of the spiritual growth of the church, not just out of mere ritualistic obedience, but understanding their spiritual significance. While the “breaking of bread” is mentioned (Acts 2:42, presumably the taking of the Lord’s supper), the book of Acts seems to give greater attention to the sacrament of water baptism. This is likely so as baptism marks the public declaration of faith, where the convert is recognised as a disciple of Christ and joins the local church. It also bears an impact on other believers when a convert is baptised.

Saul’s baptism (Acts 9:18) would be significant for the spiritual growth of the believers who were once persecuted by him. Ananias’ apprehensive reaction to the Lord’s instruction (Acts 9:10-16) is reflective of how the other Christians in Damascus and other regions who knew Saul would have felt. Saul was once filled with great violence and hatred (Acts 9:1), and Ananias by his own words will now confess and declare that Saul will now instead be “filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 9:17). He had to learn that such a dramatic conversion and change is impossible by any earthly means, but only by the work of the Spirit. The other believers too were “amazed” (Acts 9:21), as they learnt this. Baptism has a spiritual effect in reminding the church publicly, that all sinners can be saved, and the testimonies of all converts are for the spiritual growth of the believers to glorify God, and to continue in the great commission.

The baptism of the gentile converts would also send a strong message to the Jewish Chris[1]tians. The Ethiopian eunuch voluntarily sought to be baptised (Acts 8:36-38). Especially so in the baptism of Cornelius’ family, Peter’s words revealed that there might be some who might be against their baptism (Acts 10:47), also echoing the words of the Ethiopian eunuch earlier (Acts 8:36). The baptism of the Gentiles is for the spiritual growth of the early church, where many Jewish Christians might have retained the common mistaught belief that salvation is only for God’s chosen people, Israel. It was a reminder for these Jewish Christians that they were supposed to be a light to the Gentiles (Is 42:6, 49:6).

As Peter explained to those at Cornelius’ home, the outpouring of the Spirit upon the Gentiles (Acts 10:45) is an infallible proof of the same Spirit that Peter and the Jews (“we”) received (Acts 10:47). If this sign manifested is so obvious, for the gentile converts to receive the sign of water baptism should not be an issue, which some Jewish Christians had (Acts 11:1-18). While the church today might not have this special outpouring of the Spirit as the early church had, nonetheless the common sacrament of baptism by water received by all believers serves as a similar reminder of the common salvation in Christ, and that the Lord continues to add souls to His kingdom as He sees fit. This is not a mere ritualistic tradition, but the following of a biblical pattern in the growth of the testimony and witness of the local church.

It is a Satanic pattern that has arisen over the last century by the charismatic movement to “revive” the practice of the baptism of the Spirit, accompanied by supposed signs, wonders, and gifts in an unbiblical pattern. This is an attempt to rapidly grow the church through deception (Matt 24:24) and seduction (Mark 13:22) as prophesied by Christ. It removes the focus of the church on water baptism, and how it reflects one’s salvation in the cleansing of sins found only in Christ. Instead, the church looks for the spectacular to grow the church, appealing to a carnal crowd that like the opponents of Christ, would ask for a sign (Matt 12:38-39). Many modern churches are now defined by their “spiritual power” through their self-declared prophets and apostles.

Even some of the elect might be deceived, to look to such “spiritual” signs as a mark of the church’s power and growth instead of looking at the souls who are saved and baptised. Such misguided believers would find assurance of their salvation in the speaking of tongues, instead of thinking of their obedience to the faith by being baptised, and their public witness of Christ to all. The definition and pattern of Church growth has been warped. It is now an advertisement of many great miraculous works done by a “spiritual man”, and no longer about the preaching of the Truth, and conviction by the Spirit.