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Mike is correct that John the Baptist, indeed, was never baptized (p. 7 - Matt.
3:14). Also, he was, indeed, a "friend" of the bridegroom (Christ - John 3:29). John the Baptist, for all
practical purposes, linked the O.T. dispensation with the N.T. dispensation, via the prophesy of O.T. Elijah
(Matt.17:12,13), which Jesus applied to John. Still, we fail to understand how baptism could ever "begin"
withoutan un-baptized person. Perhaps, O'Neal should explain that one.
John preached the baptism of repentance, instructing folks to repent and believe
on Christ (Acts 19:4). He preached everlasting life by believing on the Son (John 3:27-36). He preached Christ
as the Son of God, Lamb of God, and Messias (John 1:29-36,41). John finished his course and his word of
salvation went beyond the four gospels (Acts 13:23-26). That word began from Galilee after the baptism which
John preached (Acts 10:36,37). John the Baptist was a New Testament Baptizer.
John the Baptist came in the way of righteousness (Matt. 21:32), and his mission
was to prepare the way before the redeemer king of salvation to give know- ledge of salvation by the remission
of sins (Luke 1:68- 77). His mission was to prepare the way of Christ that ALL flesh shall see the salvation of
God (Luke 3:4-6). The Spirit filled John's mission was to turn people's hearts, the disobedient to the just, to
make a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:15-17). John the Baptist came for a witness to bear witness of the
Light, that ALL men through him might believe (John 1:7). His mission was to bare witness of Christ (John 3:26)
and to introduce and manifest Christ to Israel through his baptism (John 1:31). Many believed and followed
Jesus as a result of John's preaching (John 1:37; 10:41,42). Harlots were saved under John's preaching (Matt.
21:31,32) and entered the kingdom of God. John and Jesus "made disciples" (John 4:1), which means the disciples
espoused something and believed someone. John and Jesus "baptized" these disciples to identify them with
something and someone.
Brother O'Neal tells us that to say that John was "a" Baptist is a divisive
statement. To prove it, he quotes 1 Corinthians 3:3,4 as if it addressed all Christians together or all
denominations of Christians (a classic Ecumenical Lite spin). Such Baptists are branded carnal and divisive by
O'Neal. Yet, the O'Neal proof-text is really addressing members of a particular Corinthian local church, i.e.,
"AMONG YOU." (Of course, O'Neal's "divisive booklet" falls under an umbrella of "invisible"
immunity.)
Jesus was a N.T. baptizer. The apostles were N.T. baptizers, and the early N.T.
Christians were N.T. baptizers, the Baptists that followed were N.T. Baptizers, and Baptists, today, are N.T.
Baptizers. No one was a N.T. Baptizer, unless he had New Testament baptism, except the unique forerunner
Baptizer, John "the" Baptist (Matt. 21:25 - the heaven sent Baptizer). Catholics and Protestants are not N.T.
Baptizers (wrong mode and wrong candidates); Charismatics, Campbellites, and J.W.s are not N.T. Baptizers
(wrong motive - temporary or no life). Perhaps, Bro. O'Neal likes the name "Baptizer" better that he does the
word "Baptist?"
That fairly narrows the field (churches that believe all three distinctives),
except for Bible churches. Yes, some Bible churches do believe all three of these doctrines, but they receive
almost anybody's baptism (placing their stamp of approval on those baptism and their associated doctrines).
What difference is there between a Baptist church and O'Neal's church or "three Baptist doctrine" Bible
churches? After reading Mike O'Neal, we would say -PLENTY!
Blunder 3.A. John the Baptist was a New Testament Christian (p. 7,8)
Blunder 3.B. John the Baptist administered New Testament baptism (p.
7,8)
The BEGINNING of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the SON OF GOD . . . JOHN did
baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the REMISSION OF SINS. -- Mark
1:1-4
And FROM THE DAYS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST UNTIL NOW the kingdom of heaven suffereth
violence . . . -- Matt. 11:12
. . . JOHN had first preached before his coming the BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE to all
the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But,
behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. Men and brethren, children
of the stock of Abraham, and WHOSOEVER AMONG YOU FEARETH GOD, to you is the WORD of THIS SALVATION sent. --
Acts 13:23-26
The law and the prophets were UNTIL JOHN: SINCE THAT TIME the kingdom of God is
preached . . . -- Luke 16:16
BEGINNING FROM the baptism of John, UNTO that same day that HE WAS TAKEN UP from
us, must one be ORDAINED to be a WITNESS with us of his resurrection. -- Acts 1:22
THAT WORD, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and BEGAN
from Galilee, AFTER THE BAPTISM which JOHN PREACHED; -- Acts 10:37
But the hour cometh, and NOW IS, when the TRUE WORSHIPPERS shall worship the
Father in spirit and in truth . . . -- John 4:23
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