THE ONE BAPTISM -BY STEVE FINNELL

THE APOSTLE PAUL SAID THERE IS ONE BAPTISM. WHAT IS THAT BAPTISM? (EPHESIANS 4:5 ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM,) WHAT IS THAT ONE BAPTISM?

There is one baptism. Is it water baptism or baptism with the Holy Spirit?

The 12 apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. What was the purpose of their baptism?

Acts 1:4-8 ....but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence...8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witness both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

The purpose of the apostles being baptized with the Holy Spirit was so they could receive power to witness to the world.

There no mention of being baptized with the Holy Spirit and a connection to being born again. The apostles baptism with the Holy Spirit was not their new birth.

The apostles were not baptized with the Holy Spirit so their sins could be forgiven.

The apostles were not baptized with the Holy Spirit so they could be saved.

The apostles were not baptized with the Holy Spirit as a baptism into Christ.

Being baptized with the Holy Spirit is not the ONE BAPTISM that the apostles Paul is talking about in Ephesians 4:5.

THE ONE BAPTISM IS IMMERSION IN WATER.

Jesus said ( Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Was Jesus telling the eleven disciples to Spiritually baptize disciples of all nations? The disciples did not have the power nor the authority to baptized anyone with the Holy Spirit. They baptized people with water.

On the Day of Pentecost after Peter preached the gospel to them; the 3000 asked what they should do. Peter did not tell them to wait until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit so they could have their sins forgiven. Peter commanded them ( Acts 2:38..."Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive thegift of the Holy Spirit.) Peter commanded the ONE BAPTISM, water baptism.

Was the apostle Peters instruction to the 3000, to be Spiritually baptized? Of course not, you cannot command someone to be Spiritually baptized. On the Day of Pentecost 3000+ were immersed in water. (Acts 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added  about three thousand souls.

The conversion of the eunuch. (Acts 8:26-38....36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?".....

The eunuch did not ask what prevents me from being baptized with the Holy Spirit. If Phillip was going to Spiritually baptized the eunuch, why would he need water. There is ONE BAPTISM and it is water.

Acts 22:12-16....Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized,and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'

Ananias did not tell Saul to get up and be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Why would Saul have to get up to be Spiritually baptized. Saul was baptized in water, the ONE BAPTISM.

IS THE HOLY SPIRIT PRESENT DURING WATER BAPTISM? YES!

Although Jesus was without sin and did not have to be born of water and the Spirit; the example was given at His baptism. (Matthew 3:16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him.) This was symbolic of the new birth.

THE NEW BIRTH

John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

This parallels the example of the baptism of Jesus is that, there is a water and Spirit connection.

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Two things happen that saved them 1. The washing of regeneration (water baptism). 2. Renewing by the Holy Spirit. You cannot separate water baptism and the Holy Spirit when taking about being born again (The New Birth).

Acts 2:38 ....be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

When you are baptized with water you receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You are born of water and the Spirit. That is being born again, it is the new birth.

There is only one baptism that you can comply with; and it is to be immersed in water. 

If you have been obedient to the terms for pardon, you have been immersed in water, you have been born again of water and the Spirit.(Of course faith, repentance and acknowledging Jesus as Lord and believing His resurrection, must precede water baptism)   

THE ONE BAPTISM IS IMMERSION IN WATER. (Ephesians 4:5)