Baptized "eis" Christ

Romans 6 - Baptized unto Christ

"UNTO Christ"

“And he said unto them, Unto (eis) what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.” (Acts 19:3)

Everything the Christian does, in obedience to Christ, from the first moment of his birth into new spiritual life in Christ, until his final breath on earth, is "UNTO (eis) Christ," and "UNTO (eis) salvation," and "UNTO (eis) forgiveness (pardon)," and "UNTO (eis) sanctification," and "UNTO (eis) justification (righteousness)," and "UNTO (eis) redemption," and "UNTO (eis) adoption," etc.

Thus, when we believe the gospel, we believe "eis" Christ, and "eis salvation," and "eis righteousness," and "eis forgiveness," etc. Likewise, when we repent, and are baptized, and eat the Lord's Supper, and do good works, it is all "eis," or "concerning" Christ and salvation. As these acts are often continuous, so all our spiritual activity is continuously "eis..."

In the New Testament the phrase "eis auton" (unto him) is used frequently.

"And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and is believing on him (eis-unto him), may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40)

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye may be believing on him (eis-unto him) whom He hath sent." (John 6:29)

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that is believing on (eis, unto) Me is having everlasting life. I am that bread of life." (John 6:47-48)

Baptism eis Christ, or "unto" Christ is to be compared with "baptized eis (unto) Moses." If we understand the one we will understand the other.

There is little dispute that being "baptized unto Moses" signified the open allegiance and public identification of the people of God with Moses. Moses was formally recognized as the leader of the covenant people.

Being "baptized unto Moses" did not put people "into" Moses. It is not what introduced them to Moses. It was not a means of their being constituted the people of God. They were the people of God before their baptism unto Moses. Further, prior to this event, of being "baptized unto Moses," the people had already eaten the Passover lamb, already had the blood applied to the benefit of themselves, already out of Egypt, and so the baptism unto Moses was too late an event to be the means of their salvation. Granted, other deliverances followed their initial salvation and redemption, but I am talking about initial application of the blood, or when one is constituted a child of Jehovah.

Further, John Gentry (my debate opponent) insisted that "baptized into Christ" (Rom. 6: 3,4; Gal. 3: 27) meant that water baptism put one into Christ. I asked him why "believe into Christ" did not mean the same thing.

Taken from "The Baptist Gadfly" for Aug. 17, 2009 (here)