What is the one baptism?
Introduction. Paul, through the Spirit, taught and required religious unity (Eph. 4: 1-3). He showed such unity is possible because of the essential oneness of Christ's system (vss. 4-6). There is one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, and God the Father. In this passage Paul also taught there is "one baptism" (vs. 5).
There are a number of different baptisms mentioned in the scriptures. For example, there is the baptism of John (Matt. 21: 25), baptism of suffering (Matt. 2: 22), baptism of fire (Matt. 3:11), baptism of the Spirit (Acts 1: 5), and water baptism for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2: 38, 22: 16). The baptism of fire (immersed in fire, hell) is future, the baptism of John was for a limited time (Acts 19: 3-5), the baptism of suffering was unique, and the baptism of the Spirit had a special purpose for a certain group, it was never meant to be universal.
The one baptism is water baptism which is for the remission of sin. Since there is only one baptism (required and universal), it is obviously of great importance. Jesus commissioned his apostles to preach to the whole world (Mk. 16: 15-16). In this commission they were to teach and practice baptism (Mk. 16: 16). The baptism which they universally practiced was water baptism for the forgiveness of sin (see Acts 2: 14-41). This baptism was immersion or burial in water and was submitted to by believing, penitent people who had confessed Christ's deity (Col. 2:12, Acts 2: 36-38, Acts 8: 35-40). About two years after Paul penned there is one baptism, Peter wrote of a baptism which saves (1 Pet. 3: 21). Peter made it plain this saving baptism is water baptism (1 Pet. 3: 20-21).
There are many so called baptisms today. Some are performed on babies, some on people who maintain they have already been saved. But have you submitted to the only true baptism of which we read in the scriptures?
There are a number of different baptisms mentioned in the scriptures. For example, there is the baptism of John (Matt. 21: 25), baptism of suffering (Matt. 2: 22), baptism of fire (Matt. 3:11), baptism of the Spirit (Acts 1: 5), and water baptism for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2: 38, 22: 16). The baptism of fire (immersed in fire, hell) is future, the baptism of John was for a limited time (Acts 19: 3-5), the baptism of suffering was unique, and the baptism of the Spirit had a special purpose for a certain group, it was never meant to be universal.
The one baptism is water baptism which is for the remission of sin. Since there is only one baptism (required and universal), it is obviously of great importance. Jesus commissioned his apostles to preach to the whole world (Mk. 16: 15-16). In this commission they were to teach and practice baptism (Mk. 16: 16). The baptism which they universally practiced was water baptism for the forgiveness of sin (see Acts 2: 14-41). This baptism was immersion or burial in water and was submitted to by believing, penitent people who had confessed Christ's deity (Col. 2:12, Acts 2: 36-38, Acts 8: 35-40). About two years after Paul penned there is one baptism, Peter wrote of a baptism which saves (1 Pet. 3: 21). Peter made it plain this saving baptism is water baptism (1 Pet. 3: 20-21).
There are many so called baptisms today. Some are performed on babies, some on people who maintain they have already been saved. But have you submitted to the only true baptism of which we read in the scriptures?