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1 Kings 12:32 – Cows, Altars, and Baptism
Cows, Altars, and Baptism (1 Kings 12:32)
“Once, when a stubborn disputer seemed unconvinced, Lincoln said, “Well, let’s see how many legs has a cow?” “Four, of course,” came the reply disgustedly. “That’s right,” agreed Lincoln. “Now suppose you call the cow’s tail a leg; how many legs would the cow have?” “Why, five, of course,” was the confident reply. “Now, that’s where you’re wrong,” said Lincoln. “Calling a cow’s tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg.” (Bits & Pieces, July, 1991.)
Humorous and wise, don’t you think?!
The old united kingdom of Israel divided. When Jeroboam became king of the newly founded upper kingdom, “Israel,” he made two altars. The southern altar he placed in a city called, “Bethel” (1 Kings 12:32). Do you know what that name means? “House of God.” Of course, the real house of God – the temple – was located 10-12 miles to the south in Jerusalem.
Just because Jeroboam put his altar in a city named “house of God” did not mean he put his altar in the “house of God.” His altar was unscriptural notwithstanding the name. Names mean nothing despite our personal protestations to the otherwise – unless the names mean what really is.
Today, can we make the same mistake? Can we apply Biblical names differently than the Bible does? Check out the word “baptism.” It is a burial (Rom.6:4). The original Greek word for baptism is baptizo and literally means immersion.
Calling sprinkling baptism is no more accurate than calling a cow’s tail a leg!
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