Method On How To Have Many Members In A Local Church

IS WATER BAPTISM ONLY FOR ISRAEL OR FOR ALL BELIEVERS?

By Dr. Nilo H. Flores
March 26,2026

The claim that water baptism is only for Israel and not for Christians is not supported by the full teaching of the New Testament. While it is true that God has different dispensational dealings, the command for baptism was clearly given to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ—both Jews and Gentiles.

1. The Great Commission Includes All Nations

Jesus Himself commanded baptism, not only for Israel but for the whole world:

📖 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them…” — Matthew 28:19

This command was given after His resurrection and is directed to “all nations” (Gentiles included), not Israel alone.

2. Baptism Follows Salvation by Faith

Baptism is not for salvation, but it is the public testimony of true repentance and faith:

📖 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…” — Mark 16:16
📖 “Repent, and be baptized every one of you…” — Acts 2:38

The pattern is clear:
👉 Believe → Repent → Be Baptized

3. Gentiles Were Also Baptized

Baptism was not limited to Jews. Even Gentile believers were commanded to be baptized:

📖 “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized…?” — Acts 10:47–48

Cornelius and his household (Gentiles) received the Holy Spirit and were still commanded to be baptized in water.

4. Paul Did Not Reject Baptism

Some misunderstand 1 Corinthians 1:17. Paul did not say baptism is unnecessary—he emphasized that his primary calling was preaching, not personally baptizing.

In fact, Paul still:

Baptized believers (1 Corinthians 1:14–16)

Practiced and taught identification with Christ (Romans 6:3–4)

📖 “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism…” — Romans 6:4

5. Baptism Is an Act of Obedience

Baptism does not save—but it is an important step of obedience after salvation.

📖 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized…” — Acts 2:41

It is:

A testimony of faith

A picture of death, burial, and resurrection with Christ

An act of obedience to Christ’s command

6. For Both Jews and Gentiles in Christ

In Christ, there is no division:

📖 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles…” — 1 Corinthians 12:13

Spiritual baptism unites us to Christ, and water baptism expresses that union outwardly.

✅ Conclusion

Water baptism is not limited to Israel. It is for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, repent, and receive Him as Savior—both Jews and Gentiles.

It is not for salvation, but it is: ✔ A command of Christ
✔ A testimony of faith
✔ An act of obedience

⚠️ Final Note (with a smile 😊)

Baptism is not just for those who need a bath 😄—
It is for those who have been cleansed by the blood of Christ and are willing to publicly follow Him.

🙏 Closing Statement

Let us uphold the truth of Scripture:
Salvation is by grace through faith alone—but true faith obeys Christ.

Genesis 1:1–2 Explained (Original Meaning)
By Dr. Nilo H. Flores
February 10, 2026
Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Original Meaning & Explanation

The Hebrew text begins with “Beresh*th” — “In the beginning.”
This does not describe God’s beginning, because God has no beginning. It marks the beginning of time, space, and matter as we know it.

The word “God” here is “Elohim,” a plural noun with a singular verb. This reveals God’s majesty and fullness of power, and it beautifully allows room for the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), without contradicting God’s oneness.

The word “created” is “bara.”
This is very important. Bara means to create out of nothing (ex nihilo). Only God can “bara.” Man can form, shape, or build—but only God creates from nothing.

“Heaven and earth” is a Hebrew expression meaning everything that exists—the entire universe, both the unseen and the seen.

👉 Genesis 1:1 declares this truth clearly:
God alone is the eternal Creator. Everything else is creation.

Genesis 1:2

“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

Original Meaning & Explanation

The phrase “without form and void” comes from the Hebrew “tohu va-bohu.”
It describes a condition that is unshaped, unfilled, and unorganized—not evil, but unfinished.

Darkness upon the deep does not mean sin or chaos caused by Satan. It simply describes the absence of light before God spoke it into existence (which happens in verse 3).

Then we see hope and divine activity:

“The Spirit of God moved…”
The Hebrew word “rachaph” means to hover, to brood, to vibrate with life, like a mother bird over her nest.

👉 This shows that the Holy Spirit was actively preparing creation, not abandoning it.

The Flow of the Passage

Genesis 1:1 — Creation declared
Genesis 1:2 — Creation prepared
Genesis 1:3 onward — Creation ordered by God’s Word

God did not create a ruined world and then fix it.
He created a world progressively, with purpose, order, and wisdom.

Powerful Spiritual Truth

Before God speaks light, His Spirit is already moving.
Before form and fullness appear, God is already at work.

This same pattern applies spiritually:

God begins the work

The Spirit moves

The Word brings light and order

Conclusion

Genesis 1:1–2 teaches us that:

God is eternal and sovereign

Creation began by God alone

The Spirit of God is active from the very start

Order comes by God’s Word, not by chance

This is not mythology.
This is divine revelation.

“In the beginning God…”
Everything starts with Him—and everything makes sense because of Him.

— Dr. Nilo H. Flores