One Baptism (Part 1)

By Clifton Angel     "There is ... one baptism" (Ephesians 4:4–5). Baptism is not a mysterious word. It is simply an immersion or submersion. Therefore, sprinkling and pouring—which practices many denominations have adopted—cannot be baptism. Interestingly, though, if you search the New Testament for this word, you will find that there are multiple different baptisms, or immersions. How then can Paul say, "There is ... one baptism" (Ephesians 4:4–5)? And to which of these multiple baptisms is Paul referencing?     In your search, you should be able to find (1) baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11), (2) baptism in fire (Matthew 3:11), (3) a baptism of suffering and persecution (Matthew 20:22), (4) the baptism of John (Matthew 21:25), and (5) the one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). Further study will reveal why I listed the one baptism as its own and not one of the other four.     Immersion in the Holy Spirit applied to a limited group. John said that Jesus would be the one to administer said baptism (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). Jesus told His apostles that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit a few days after His ascension (Acts 1:4–5). On said occasion, the apostles would receive "power," or abilities, from God when the Holy Spirit came upon them—immersed them (Acts 1:8).     All of this occurred and was fulfilled on that special Pentecost day, which events are recorded in Acts 2. Simply put, Christians today are not immersed in the Holy Spirit—it was for a particular and limited group.     Immersion in fire is believed by many to refer to eternal punishment in hellfire. Since Jesus is the Judge (2 Corinthians 5:10; John 12:48), then it will be He who administers baptism in fire, just as John said (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16).     The baptism of suffering and persecution was specific to the suffering and death of Christ and that which His apostles would suffer thereafter for His sake. See Matthew 20:20–23, Mark 10:35–40, and the context surrounding Luke 12:50 for further study of this baptism.     The baptism of John was immersion in water (Luke 3:16; John 1:26; 3:23; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16). It was a "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (Mark 1:4). Paul simply called it "the baptism of repentance" (Acts 19:4). John's baptism was a preparatory baptism and not a permanent one; for, following the resurrection of Christ, John's baptism was no longer authorized (Matthew 28:18–19; Acts 2:38; Acts 19:1–5).     So, what is the one baptism, and how important is it?

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/