Baptisms
Three Baptisms
Hebrews 6:1-2 explains that there are baptisms and that this doctrine of baptisms is a foundational principle of the doctrine of Christ.
Of the doctrine of baptisms, … – Hebrews 6:2 KJV
Blue Letter Bible includes the following “Outline of Biblical Usage” for “baptism:”
- to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
- to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, bathe
- to overwhelm
Baptizer, Elements
John the Baptist explains that he baptized with water, but Jesus will baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire!
I indeed baptize[G907] you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize[G907] you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire: – Matthew 3:11 KJV
John explains the elements and baptizers in the two baptisms that come after the one necessary baptism.
First, the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ at conversion.
Baptized Into Christ
Paul explains that the Holy Spirit baptized us into Christ’s body.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV
Baptized into Jesus Christ
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized[G907] into Jesus Christ were baptized[G907] into his death? – Romans 6:3 KJV
Come Alive
So, we don’t need to die to ourselves! Holy Spirit baptized us into His death! Done! Water baptism represents what the Holy Spirit has done at conversion.
Baptized into Christ
For as many of you as have been baptized[G907] into Christ have put on Christ. – Galatians 3:27 KJV
Put on Christ. The Holy Spirit baptized you into Christ.
Make your faith effective by acknowledging every good thing that is in you (Philemon 1:6). Christ is in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
The Prodigal Son
If the prodigal son had not chosen to return to the father, he would have died with the pigs (Luke 15:15-19). But unbeknownst to him, as soon as he arrived, his father had the robe and the ring of sonship placed on his son (Luke 15:20-24).
He did not take a physical bath to receive sonship from his father.
The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: – 1 Peter 3:21 KJV
But he was already wearing the best robe, shoes, and ring (Luke 15:22). Surely, he took a physical bath as a physical representation of his reconciliation with the father. But the father had already done the necessary act of restoration.
I have represented every person in this story including the oldest son (Luke 15:25-31)! But now, I, we, Christians, get to represent the Father and His servants for the remainder of our time here in this world. Hallelujah!
Let’s Party (Luke 15:6-7, 9-10, 32).
In Acts 8:12-13 and 18:8 we are told that the people believed and were baptized. Before knowing that three specific baptisms are explained in the Bible, it is easy to assume this refers to water baptism.
False Doctrine
He that believeth and is baptized[G907] shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. – Mark 16:16 KJV
Ignorance of biblical truth leads to the assumption that there is only water baptism. This is where the false doctrine of being water-baptized or being damned is birthed.
I believe without a doubt that Mark 16:16 is referring to being baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. God is not looking for any and every excuse to damn people. He is patiently waiting and looking for any possible way to get people, every human being, the whole world that He so loved born again (John 3:15-17, 2 Peter 3:9, Acts 2:21).
Water baptism is powerful and very important, but it is not required to be saved or born again. The finished work on the cross plus nothing equals everything.
Jesus + Anything = Heresy!
His finished work on the cross plus anything (including water baptism) on our part equals heresy or false doctrine!
In Acts 18:24-26, Luke tells us of Apollos who was mighty in the Scripture but only knew the baptism of John. And Aquila and Priscilla expounded to him the way of God more perfectly.
mighty in the scriptures… – Acts 18:24 KJV
..knowing only the baptism of John. – Acts 18:25 KJV
Did God put sickness, death, destruction, temptation, trials, etc. on Apollos to teach him a lesson?
No! He sent workers named Aquila and Priscilla across his path to broaden his already exemplary horizons.
Baptized Into Water
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. – Acts 8:38 KJV
Philip baptized the eunuch in water.
John baptized Jesus into water (Matthew 3:13).
Jesus didn’t baptize with water (John 4:2).
Baptized Into the Holy Ghost
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. – Matthew 3:16-17 KJV Luke 3:16-22 KJV
Jesus Baptizes with the Holy Ghost
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. – Mark 1:8 KJV
For John truly baptized[G907] with water; but ye shall be baptized[G907] with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. – Acts 1:5 KJV
They Received
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. – Acts 8:15-17 KJV
These two baptisms can happen in any order. First, one must be born again and baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ before receiving the Holy Spirit or being water-baptized.
Can any man forbid water, that these should[G907][G0] not be baptized,[G907] which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized[G907] in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. – Acts 10:47-48 KJV
Pentecost
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. … But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: … Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. – Acts 2:1-4, 16-18, 41 KJV See also Joel 2:28-32
Unto What Then Were You Baptized?
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. – Acts 19:2-6 KJV
In this passage of Scripture, we can see all three baptisms. First, believe (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body or the church. This is the baptism of repentance. Second in this example is John’s water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus. Third in this example, the Holy Ghost came on them. Paul had started this whole conversation about baptisms by asking if they had received the Holy Ghost.
Clarity to the Doctrine of Baptisms
Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. – Acts 2:37-42 KJV
Knowing that there are three baptisms brings clarity to interpreting the Scriptures. In Acts 2:38, Peter refers to all three baptisms together.