WATER BAPTISM OR HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM?   By Steve Finnell

Did Jesus command water baptism or Holy Spirit baptism? There is just one baptism; which did Jesus command? Ephesians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (NASB)

Matthew 28:16-19 But the eleven disciples...18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (NASB)

Was Jesus telling the eleven disciples to baptize all nations with the Holy Spirit in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit? No, He was not. Remember there is just one baptism. The one baptism is immersion in water.

Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.(NASB)

Jesus told His disciple to preach the gospel. What were the promised results of those who obeyed the gospel? Those who believe and were baptized were saved. Were they baptized with the Holy Spirit in order to be saved? No, they were not. There is no Scripture that states being baptized with the  Holy Spirit saves anyone. The disciples were baptizing converts in water in order for them to be saved. There is just one baptism.

Acts 2:36-38 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ---this Jesus whom you crucified."37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NASB)

The three thousand believed Peter when he preached Jesus. Did Peter tell them to repent and and be baptized with the Holy Spirit so their sins would be forgiven and that they might receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? No, he did not. You cannot command someone to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. You, can, command men to repent and be immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins. There is just one baptism.

Acts 8:34-39 The eunuch  answered Philip and said, "Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or someone else?" 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, beginning from the Scriptures he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" 37 [And Philip said, if you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."]..........

The eunuch heard the gospel and believed Jesus was the Son of God, however, the eunuch did not asked "what prevents me from being baptized with the Holy Spirit?" The eunuch believed in Jesus and was immersed in water in order to be saved. There is just one beleivers baptism.

There are millions who reject the premise that water baptism is in order to be saved and millions more who reject water baptism altogether.

You can believe Scripture or man-made tradition; however, only one is true.

Jesus and His disciples preached he that believes and is baptized in water shall be saved.