There is One Baptism

I read a true story about a Christian who was an uncover cop. He also was involved in working with the teenagers at the church he attended.

When several of them came to be baptized, he was the one baptizing them. When they when to the back to prepare for the baptism, and the cop took off his coat, his service revolver was hooked to his belt.

One of the young guys saw it and raised his eyebrows, The cop dead panned, “We have a no back out policy here regarding baptisms.”

While we believe in the importance of baptism, we don’t want anyone to feel pressured or “under the gun” to be baptized.

In our continuing Monday series on Fundamentals of Faith from Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul affirms “there is one baptism.”

What is the One Baptism?

While the Bible speaks of various kinds of baptisms, and even metaphorical expressions regarding baptism, when Paul wrote Ephesians about A.D. 64 he said there is just “one baptism.”

It is the Baptism commanded by Jesus. “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” Mk. 16:16).

It was preached by Peter who answered the question on Pentecost, “What shall we do?” He replied, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Ax. 2:38).

It was practiced by Saul of Tarsus, who was told “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord’” (Ax. 22:16).

Saul, who by God’s grace became the apostle Paul, then preached and practiced baptism through his ministry. Every conversion account in Acts records people being baptized, including Lydia, the Philippian jailer, and the Corinthians.

Furthermore, it’s important to note that the “one baptism” is immersion in water. The word literally means “to immerse.” When Phillip baptized the Ethiopian Eunuch the Bible says, “they went down into the water, and be baptized him” (Ax.8:38). If he just sprinkled or poured some water on his head there would be no need to go “down into the water.”

However, if there was any doubt, Paul said the Colossians were “buried with {Christ} in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Col. 2:12).

Why Be Baptized?

While there are several reasons why one should be baptized, here are three Bible answers to the question.

#1 Baptism puts you into Christ.

Paul penned, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27).

Obviously this is not literal. But being “in him” speaks to a relationship with Christ. We are now one with Him. Connected to Him. Have union and fellowship with Him. The expression “in Christ” is found 87 times in the New Testament. When we are “in Christ” we enjoy “all spiritual blessings” (Eph. 1:3).

#2 Baptism puts you into the Body of Christ.

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Cor.12:13). The Bible says that Christ “is the head over all things to the church, which is His Body” (Eph. 1:22-23). Thus, the Body of Christ, is the church over which Christ is the Head.

The Body of Christ is a Body of Believers who enjoy mutual blessings, participate in fellowship, and are given various responsibilities.

Some have suggested that being in the “Body” is not vital to salvation. However, the Bible says that Jesus is “the Savior of the Body” (Eph. 5:23).

#3 Baptism puts into the Body of the saved.

As if the previous passages weren’t clear enough, Peter pronounced, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Pet. 3:21).

This agrees with Jesus command, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:16).

Who Should Be Baptized?

As Jesus said baptism is for a believer. Thus, one must hear God’s Word (Rom. 10:17). Those on Pentecost were taught (Ax. 2). The Ethiopian Eunuch was taught (Ax. 8). The jailer was taught (Ax. 16).

Furthermore, the book of Acts records those baptized were penitent people (Ax. 2:38), and confessed their allegiance to Christ as the Son of God (Ax. 8:37).

Only those who understand God’s plan for salvation and the purpose of baptism are scriptural candidates for baptism.

Have you been baptized “for the remission of sins”? If not, we seriously encourage you to do so while there is time and opportunity.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman