Baptisms

In Hebrews 6:2, Paul lists one of the fundamental doctrines: the doctrine of baptisms [plural]. Yet, Ephesians 4:5 states, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” How many baptisms are there? How do we reconcile this apparent Biblical contradiction?

Notice Matthew 3:11: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” The last two John the Baptist referred to are not in water. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is explained in 1 Corinthians 12:13. The baptism of fire refers to the final punishment of the incorrigibly wicked—those in the third resurrection—who refuse to follow God’s way of life. This is further explained in Rev. 20:15. Now how do these biblical facts reconcile with Ephesians 4? There are two main points of view required to reconcile these scriptures.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4-5). 1—What is perhaps primarily meant here is that there is only one approach to God. There is only one valid, authorized form of water baptism—not dozens of different methods. Today there is everything from sprinkling to pouring—from babies to clueless adults—fancy hand gestures and whooping and hollering. We see it all! But true water baptism is by total immersion in water (GK: baptizmo) followed by the laying on of hands of a true servant of God—not self-proclaimed. 2—Also there is another way to view this apparent enigma. The beginning steps to conversion are repentance, followed by water baptism, the laying on of hands, and the receipt of the Holy Spirit. All these steps together—the initial ones in the whole salvation process—may be viewed collectively as the one baptism into the true Church (body of Christ).

Technically, as shown by other scriptures this whole process is broken down into more finite parts—including two different baptisms for the real Christians who endure to the end—and the other for the unrepentant, incorrigible sinner. In John 10:35 it states that “scripture cannot be broken.” Once again, by putting all the scriptures together (here a little, there a little) we reconcile another apparent contradiction. What a blessing to be a part of this process and plan of God and to live by the sure word of God!