Notice: The book on “Hyper-Dispensational Hair-Splitters” has been delayed due to several unavoidable issues. I do plan it to be available in late October, assuming there are no more delays. –Bro Dave

Hyper-Dispensational Assumptions

Here is another example of the many heresies of the Hyper-Dispensationalists. Although Cornelius R. Stam has already gone on to glory, the BBS continues to put these old heresies on their website (September 2014). You have to watch them: their twists and turns are as crooked as a rattlesnake with an epileptic fit.

Is Water Baptism A Testimony? by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam


“Let us suppose that you have been saved, but live a careless life and bear a poor testimony before the world. Would water baptism change this? What would it be worth?
But suppose you have been saved and live a godly, consistent life before the world. Is a water-confession necessary? How much is it worth? Don’t be afraid to answer this question honestly. How many “baptized converts” there are who cannot even give a word of testimony for their Lord among the lost!

In a sense, however, the baptism of believers by water in this age is a testimony — a bad testimony. When the Galatian believers submitted to circumcision it was a bad testimony (Gal.5:2,3). Circumcision, while a part of Peter’s “gospel of the circumcision” had no place in “the gospel of the uncircumcision” committed to Paul (Gal.2:7). And just as circumcision was connected with “the gospel of the circumcision” so water baptism was con-nected (sic) with “the gospel of the kingdom” (See Matthew 3:2,6; 10:5-7; cf. John 1:31; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:36-38; Acts 3:19-21).

We solemnly declare that the present day practice of water baptism is a reflection on the grace of God and a confession of a lack of appreciation of the finished work of Christ, and the believer’s completeness in Him (See Ephesians 1:6; Colossians 2:10). Furthermore, it betrays a poor understanding of the heavenly character and position of the Church of this age (See Ephesians 2:6; 1:3; Colossians 3:1-3).

Be a Berean. Search the Scriptures and see whether these things are so.”


This is what is known among men of reason as “making a mountain out of a mole hill”. Let us take Stam’s first question and supply some acts he did, and ask the same question: “Suppose that you have been saved, but live a careless life and bear a poor testimony before the world. Would the mere ritualistic acts of going to church on Sunday, Wednesday night, praying, studying your Bible, witnessing, singing hymns, observing the Lord’s Supper–which you do, change this? What would these be worth?”

In his “solemn” declaration, Stam lumps the gospel accounts of baptism and circumcision with Acts: “…And just as circumcision was connected with “the gospel of the circumcision” so water baptism was con-nected (sic) with “the gospel of the kingdom” (See Matthew 3:2,6; 10:5-7; cf. John 1:31; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:36-38; Acts 3:19-21).”

Then, Stam runs to the “Prison Epistles” (Ephesians and Colossians) that do not mention water baptism in order to create the smoke and mirror Hyper heresy that circumcision and all water baptisms are connected. Along with this, he ASSUMES all baptisms in the NT are the same, and have the same meaning, mode, and message. This is the methodology of all Hyper-Dispensationalists. Neat trick, but it just doesn’t fit the facts.

As soon as someone questions this conclusion of a Hyper, the Hyper will go to Paul’s Acts ministry and try to prove that in Acts Paul was partially informed, gradually learning salvation by grace, or ignorant of what he later wrote in prison. They will point out that he took a vow, circumcised Timothy, went to synagogues, all of this to prove Paul was carrying on a Kingdom Gospel program like Peter, baptizing like Peter, or some partial version of it. But in prison, the Hypers claim Paul discontinued all this, and became a Hyper like them. Voila! That’s their proof water baptism is a “bad testimony”.

Press them further and they will quote what Paul said in Ephesians 4, there “is one baptism.” Of course in the same passage Paul said there is “one Lord “one faith” “one body” “one God” “one hope” “one Spirit”. Anyone who believes the KJB ( or any English or Greek Bible) knows there are more than “one” (numberwise) of all those TODAY. If Paul is saying there is only “one Spirit” in existence now–what happened to the “spirit” of man, angels who are ministering spirits, and the devil himself? And, when they run to whatever “Greek” they choose, we will answer the fool according to his folly and remind them that ALL Greek manuscripts have NO CAPITAL LETTERS for nouns or pronouns. We will also remind them that the KJB is absolutely correct in placing a capital letter “Spirit” since there is only one spirit that is essential and deserving of the capital: the Holy Spirit”. We will also remind them that there are at least three “faiths” in this age: the “faith of man”, “faith” that is a body of doctrine, and “the faith of Jesus Christ”–all easily seen if you believe what you read, and only one of these faiths is ESSENTIAL, the faith of Jesus Christ. If Paul meant there is only “one baptism”– numerically in this age that God accepts, the Bible record is flawed. Like the other “ones” of Ephesians 4, Paul refers to those that are ESSENTIAL or EFFECTUAL, by no means does he limit the number of spirits, baptisms, faiths, hopes, bodies, lords or gods to only one of each in existence. He is dealing with Quality not quantity. All Bible believers know that man’s faith wavers but the faith of Jesus Christ does not–but neither does that mean men should not have faith in God. And, all that are not trying to pull the wool over someone’s eyes, know that water baptism is not essential for salvation in this age. Bible believers also know that Paul, although he baptized believers, never condemns water baptism or repents of doing it at any time. However, they do know that if a person has not been baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ–that person is none of Christ’s. (1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 8:9-11).

All Campbellites and Hyper-Dispensationalists who think Paul would baptize with the same mode, meaning, and message as John the Baptist and Peter “..for the remission of sins”, while preaching: “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6 KJB)” are more eligible to work in a carwash where they can baptize and wipe water away all day, rather than in the pulpit or classroom.

Furthermore, Paul plainly says circumcision in this age is “dung” but he never repents of baptizing anybody, or even hints he may have been ignorant or half informed during his Acts ministry. Read the Bible reason for his Acts ministry on the “Remnant” in our coming book. All the Hyper guesswork and assumptions of connecting baptism with circumcison, vows, etc., are proven for what they are: heresy. The Hypers are more fouled up than Hymenaeus and Philetus that “rightly divided” the resurrection right out of this age!

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:15-19 KJB)