Which dispensationalist is right about baptism?

Chas. F. Baker, a grad of Dallas TS and pres emeritus of Grace Bible College in Grand Rapids, is a dispensationalist and has written, "A Dispensational Theology" (Grace BC Pub:Grand Rapids, 1971).

In this textbook on Systematic Theology Baker says, "Water baptism was just one of the practices which passed with Israel's complete setting aside." (557). Baker thinks that WB was for the "Kingdom Gospel," not the Gospel of the Church. WB is NOT for today (553).

On the other hand, Merrill F. Unger is also a dispensationalist who graduated from and taught at Dallas TS as well. Unger has written "The Baptism and Gifts of the HS," Moody:Chicago,1974).

In this book Unger says, in the NT WB was not just administered to Jewish churches but also regularly to Gentile ones...WB is a visible portrayal of placing the believer into Christ...immersion symbolizes the belivers death, burial, and resurrection with Christ...and WB IS for today. (32,33,35).

As both dispensationalism and WB are recently discussed in some threads in this forum, and as, after all, we ARE "Baptists" and as that very name implies an interest in Baptism, what is your opinion about this disagreement between two dispensationalists re WB?

Is Baker right or is Unger?

Bill

[ May 21, 2005, 12:24 PM: Message edited by: UZThD ]