CROSS Spirit- and Water-Baptism 147
This is the use of synecdoche. In R.E.O. White's terms, 'There is no
dualism.. .between faith and baptism simply because for Paul baptism is
always, and only, faith-baptism'.^102 Richard Longenecker adds an impor-tant caution:
The close association of faith and baptism in Paul (and throughout the New
Testament)...must never blind us to the fact that these are two distinct
features of the one complex of Christian initiation. Each has its particular
function in becoming a Christian, without ever being amalgamated or
confused, as though, for example, baptism serves the same function as faith
and so makes faith unnecessary, or conversely faith serves the same func-
tion as baptism and so makes baptism unnecessary. The two in Paul's mind
are always related, though never thought of as identical or as supplements
to one another. Faith in Christ is that which results in acceptance before
God and the gift of God's Spirit...; baptism is the outward sign and
heavenly seal of that new relationship established by faith.. .while faith and
baptism are part and parcel of becoming a Christian, they are always to be
distinguished. Each has its own function, with baptism never to be viewed
as having ex opere operato efficacy or as being a supplement to faith.^103One final piece of corrobating evidence for the view put forward here is
that provided by Kelly who highlights the often overlooked testimony of
the early patristic writers for whom Spirit- and water-baptism were held
together in the same way we have argued for here. While this is not deter-
minative, it is, nevertheless, indicative of the validity of this interpretation.
- Conclusion
It is difficult to accept that 1 Cor. 12.13, which refers to Christian initia-
tion in which water-baptism is an essential component (cf. Acts 2.38),
excludes any reference to water-baptism. While it is not necessary to reject
the metaphorical (in the broadest sense) application of the reference topp. 15-31 (27-29), quotations from pp. 28 and 29 respectively, italics added. See also
his Baptism, pp. 212-15. On p. 168 he writes, 'We have learned from some Pauline
passages not to set faith and baptism in opposition to each other but to appreciate their
inseparability in the penitent's experience of grace'. Ridderbos, Paul, p. 410, states,
'everything ascribed to the members of the church in virtue of their baptism is
represented no less clearly as the fruit of faith. That applies not only to the epistles of
Paul, but to the whole of the New Testament.' See his fuller discussion on pp. 410-12.
Cf. also Schnackenburg, Baptism, p. 126.- White, Biblical Doctrine, p. 226.
- Longenecker, Galatians,pp. 155-56.