September 23, 2024
From the beginning of the church in the first century until today, virtually all “versions” of Christianity have believed in something called “baptism.” The aim of this Insight is to distinguish between the two baptisms most often encountered in the NT.
Two Baptisms
In the 50 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, He spoke to His apostles about two baptisms. On the one hand, He told them to “wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5). John the Baptist had said, “He who comes after me [Jesus]… will baptize you in the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 3:11). On the other hand, Jesus commanded the disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” (Matt. 28:19). Two baptisms: one was a promise to be performed by Jesus; the other was a command to be performed by Jesus’ followers.
Ten days after Jesus’ ascension, on Pentecost, we see these two baptisms. First, the Apostles were “filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues” (Acts 2:4). Peter explained to the crowd that Jesus in heaven, “having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). Later the crowd was convicted by Peter’s preaching and asked, “‘What shall we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ…’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized” (Acts 2:37-38, 41). Two baptisms: one in fulfillment of Jesus’ promise; the other in obedience to Jesus’ command.
A few years later in the house of Cornelius, we again see the same two baptisms. “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word… As many as came with Peter… heard them [Gentiles] speaking in other tongues” (Acts 10:44-46). Referring to this, Peter later told the other Apostles, “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit'” (Acts 11:15-16). This helps us understand that it was after the household of Cornelius was baptized in the Holy Spirit that Peter rhetorically asked, “‘Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water?’… He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:47-48). Two baptisms: one was Jesus baptizing Gentiles with the Holy Spirit; the other was the disciples fulfilling Jesus’ command to baptize believers in water.
Notice that Gentiles speaking in tongues in Cornelius’ house was no proof they were saved. Rather, it was God’s proof to Peter that Gentiles could be saved just like Jews were saved – through the power of the gospel. So, Peter commanded the Gentiles to be baptized just as he had commanded the Jews on Pentecost – to have their sins forgiven and to have the Holy Spirit dwell in them.
One Baptism
Two baptisms? Yet in Ephesians 4:1-6, in Paul’s great teaching on Christian unity he said there is “one baptism.” So, which is the “one”?
First, some simple chronology. Acts 2 and Acts 10-11 are the only times that the two baptisms are historically documented as happening on the same occasion. In Acts 13, years later, we read of the beginning of Paul’s evangelistic journeys. Not until many years after that did Paul write to the Ephesian church when he was a “prisoner… in chains” (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20). Thus, it was many years after the historical record of two baptisms that Paul wrote that there is “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5).
Second, before leaving this world, Jesus’ commanded His disciples to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them… I am with you… to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20). This command to baptize is part of the command to make disciples – until the end. We all know that the baptism Jesus commanded is water baptism. And Peter confirmed that: “‘Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? (Acts 10:47). This baptism continues until Jesus returns. It must be the “one baptism.”
Third, the events both on Pentecost and in Cornelius’ house had a special purpose which was confirmed by supernatural wonders that all the people could observe. One of the main purposes of the baptism in the Spirit on the day of Pentecost was to supernaturally prove to the Jews that Jesus was alive, was in heaven, and was directing everything Peter said. It was the first time the fulfilled gospel was preached to the Jews. The second time a group was baptized in the Spirit, in Cornelius’ house, was the first time the gospel was preached to the Gentiles. It was the supernatural proof for Peter that Jesus’ command to make disciples and baptize them applied to Gentiles just as much as to Jews. Thus, Jesus’ purpose of baptizing in the Spirit from heaven (with no human participation or even anticipation) was fulfilled for all mankind. There is neither a promise nor a historical record of this ever happening again.
Virtually all believers from the first century until today acknowledge and practice some type of baptism with water. Based on everything we have seen in the Scriptures, baptism with water must be the “one baptism” of the Christian faith.
What About 1 Cor. 12:13?
“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13). The Holy Spirit is involved in baptism here, but speaking in tongues is not mentioned – nor is water. So, which baptism is Paul talking about in this verse?
The first chapter of the same letter can help us. Paul wrote: “I baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius…” This context is often used to downplay the importance of water baptism. However, it is clear why Paul said this if one simply considers 1 Cor. 1:13-17 in its entirety. And what no one questions is that these verses are talking about water baptism. Since this is unquestioned, and since Paul himself said there is “one baptism,” the baptism in chapter 12 must be with water.
NOT Water Only
It must be stressed that the baptism which Jesus commanded is not “water only.” Water does not and cannot save anybody. Just getting dunked in water is neither a physical bath nor a spiritual cleansing. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). “Repent, and be baptized… for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38). Without faith in Jesus and repentance of sins, getting dunked in water is just going down a dry sinner and coming up a wet sinner!
And there is more. The Holy Spirit is involved in baptism with water: “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). “Repent and be baptized… and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Cor. 12:13).
The “one baptism” involves much more than water. It involves faith in Jesus’ death for our sins and in His resurrection. It involves repentance that leads to a changed life. It involves the Holy Spirit. All of this leads us to John 3 and Romans 6. Stay tuned for the next Insight, God willing.