A Study of Baptisms : Lesson #1 The One Real Baptism (Ephesians 4:4-6)

In this study we are going to look at 7 different Baptisms in the word of God. As you know there are many different beliefs and teachings concerning baptisms. Most of the false teachings will come from taking a passage concerning baptism and trying to apply it in the wrong dispensation or to the wrong people. Other times the false teaching will come from trying to read water into the passage every time you see the word baptism even though water is not in the passage, and trying to read baptism everywhere you see the word water even though the word baptism is not in the passage. In this particular lesson we are only going to deal with one out of the seven baptisms, but this one will be the most important one because it is the only one that has anything to do with a gentile getting saved in the age in which we live (the church age). The baptism that we will be discussing in this lesson is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. The One Real Baptism : In Ephesians 4:5 we see that there is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. This does not contradict what we said earlier about there being 7 different baptisms. So if there is more than one baptism what exactly is this verse saying? Let us explain. In the Bible there are many different lords spoken of. Numbers 21:28 speaks about the lords of the Arnon. Joshua 13:3 speaks about the lords of the Philistines. Even though the Bible mentions many different lords there is only one true Lord and that is God all mighty. (Deuteronomy 10:17) Note that Jesus Christ is also called LORDS of LORDS. (Revelation 19:16) In the Bible there are many different gods spoken of. In Genesis 3:5 Satan tempts Eve with being as the gods. In Exodus 20:23 the Lord tells Israel that they are not to make any gods of gold or silver. In Psalm 82:1 the Bible says that God judges among the gods. Even though the Bible mentions many different gods there is only one true God and that is God almighty. (Deuteronomy 10:17) One doesnt have to look very far to find out that there are many different faiths in this world. It seems everyone believes in something. Some believe that you have to work to get saved others believe that works keep you saved. Others believe that there is someone else who can get you to heaven besides the Lord Jesus Christ. But the Bible plainly teaches that the only way to heaven in the church age is through faith and faith alone in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 14:6 ; Acts 13:3839 ; Romans 10:9-13 ; Ephesians 2:8-9) Therefore the one real faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ and his finished work on Calvary.

Now the Bible also gives 7 different baptisms and we will list them as follows: 1) Baptism unto Moses (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) 2) Johns Baptism for Israel (Matthew 3:11) 3) Baptism of Suffering (Matthew 20:22) 4) Peters Baptism for Israel (Acts 2:38) 5) Baptism for saved Gentiles (Acts 10:43-44) 6) Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:11 ; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13) 7) Baptism of Fire (Matthew 3:11) Even though there are 7 different baptisms there is only one true baptism in regards to salvation for a gentile in the church age.

So what Ephesians 4:5 is saying is that there is one true Lord which is God almighty. There is one true faith which is in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ and him alone. And there is only one true baptism that has anything to do with saving someone in the church age and that is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Baptism of the Holy Ghost : (Matthew 3:11 ; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13) In Matthew we see that John the Baptist says that he is baptizing with water but there will come one after him who will baptize with the Holy Ghost. He is talking about Jesus and the baptism of the Holy Ghost did not come until after the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus back to heaven. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 we see that this baptism of the Holy Ghost is a spiritual baptism that places us into the body of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:30-32) It has nothing to do with water. This baptism takes place immediately upon asking for salvation. We also see that in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and 28-31 that this baptism has nothing to do with speaking in tongues because tongues according to these verses are a gift of the Spirit and not everyone receives the same gifts but all are baptized into the body of Jesus Christ. In Colossians 2:9-13 we see this baptism is connected with spiritual circumcision and it takes place immediately upon receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior. Note that there is also no water in this passage as well. Therefore in the age in which we now live (the church age) there is only one baptism that has anything to do with actually saving you and it is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. This is a spiritual baptism that takes place the moment that one is saved and it places him spiritually into the body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A Study of Baptisms : Lesson #1 Handout The One Real Baptism (Ephesians 4:4-6)
1) What will the main subject of this study be about? 2) List some verse showing that there is more than one lord mentioned in the Bible.

3) List some verses showing that there is more than one god mentioned in the Bible.

4) Explain how there can be more than one faith.

5) List the 7 Baptisms that we will discuss in this study.

6) If the Bible speaks of different lords, gods, and baptisms then what does Ephesians 4:4-6 mean?

7) What is the one Baptism of Ephesians 4:5? Give a reference for your answer.

8) When does the Baptism of the Holy Ghost happen to a person and what are some of the results of it taking place within someone?