The Baptism of Ephesians Four

CWJ · Mar 8, 2014

'I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,
beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is:-
one body, and
one Spirit, even as ye are 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. 4:1-6)

This is the sevenfold unity of the Spirit, which we who are members of the Church which is His Body are to'Keep' - 'in the bond of peace'. That peace being the one secured for us, not only between ourselves and God, but specifically between Jew and Gentile believers making them ONE new man (Eph. 2:15).

This unity is not created by man, but by the Holy Spirit, and it is therefore inviolate. How important therefore that we should obey this exhortation to 'Keep it'.

Can you tell me please, what you perceive to be the One Baptism of Ephesians four?

John the Baptist baptized 'with water unto repentance' for 'the remission of sins.'(Matt.3:11; Mark 1:4), but spoke of One Who would baptize 'with the Holy Ghost.' (Mark 1:8)

During the Acts period water baptism 'in the name of Jesus Christ' and the baptism of the Holy Spirit went together (Acts 2:38; 10:47). Romans 6:3,4, tells us that baptism united the believer 'by burial' with the death of Christ. In Galatians 3:27-29 tells us that by baptism we 'put on Christ', which makes us all one in Christ, members one of another; and in 1 Cor.12:13 ' ...by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. '

The more I read through the references to baptism the more I realize the depth to be plumbed.

* Is the baptism spoken of in Ephesians 4, water baptism, or baptism with the Holy Ghost?

We tread on Holy ground here, so please let all responses be honouring to God our Saviour.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

oldhermit · Mar 8, 2014

CWJ said:

'I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,
beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is:-
one body, and
one Spirit, even as ye are 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. 4:1-6)

This is the sevenfold unity of the Spirit, which we who are members of the Church which is His Body are to'Keep' - 'in the bond of peace'. That peace being the one secured for us, not only between ourselves and God, but specifically between Jew and Gentile believers making them ONE new man (Eph. 2:15).

This unity is not created by man, but by the Holy Spirit, and it is therefore inviolate. How important therefore that we should obey this exhortation to 'Keep it'.

Can you tell me please, what you perceive to be the One Baptism of Ephesians four?

John the Baptist baptized 'with water unto repentance' for 'the remission of sins.'(Matt.3:11; Mark 1:4), but spoke of One Who would baptize 'with the Holy Ghost.' (Mark 1:8)

During the Acts period water baptism 'in the name of Jesus Christ' and the baptism of the Holy Spirit went together (Acts 2:38; 10:47). Romans 6:3,4, tells us that baptism united the believer 'by burial' with the death of Christ. In Galatians 3:27-29 tells us that by baptism we 'put on Christ', which makes us all one in Christ, members one of another; and in 1 Cor.12:13 ' ...by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. '

The more I read through the references to baptism the more I realize the depth to be plumbed.

* Is the baptism spoken of in Ephesians 4, water baptism, or baptism with the Holy Ghost?

We tread on Holy ground here, so please let all responses be honouring to God our Saviour.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

What baptism do you see being practiced by the apostles and others?

Vernon · Mar 8, 2014

It is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, there is only one Spirit and we are all baptized into him. There are many types of water baptism, but only one baptism in the Spirit.

" We believe the Holy Spirit, The Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets." Nicene Creed circa 325ad

Grandpa · Mar 8, 2014

Luke 24:25-31
[SUP]25 [/SUP]Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
[SUP]26 [/SUP]Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
[SUP]27 [/SUP]And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
[SUP]28 [/SUP]And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
[SUP]29 [/SUP]But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
[SUP]30 [/SUP]And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
[SUP]31[/SUP]And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

That's a pretty awesome thing. Its even more awesome when the Holy Spirit shows us who Jesus is and what He does for us.

John 14:26 [SUP] [/SUP]But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Being baptized in the Holy Spirit, receiving the Holy Spirit is a whole different thing than being baptized in water. I was baptized a couple of times in water. It was a way of showing the community, and the Lord my commitment to Him. But I didn't truly change until I came to the Lord Jesus and He changed me. Then the bible practically jumped off its pages and I understood who it was describing and what it was describing because I had experienced it myself.

Faith in a water baptism is fine. But it is only half of what is needed. Faith that the Lord Jesus can and will change you is the other half. There seems to be particular steps, little by little, that need to happen in the life of a believer. Water baptism is an important step. Your public proclamation of your belief in Christ. But there is more for the believer after that. More steps to take.

Like you said. It is a greater depth to be plumbed than you had originally thought. God always is more than we think.

Rockman7 · Mar 8, 2014

Indeed there are many "baptisms" ( to be immersed) and doctrine of heb 6:2.there are 7 by count I believe in scripture

However there is only one which restores us into the family of God. This is what Paul was talking of in gal 3.27,rom 6:3(baptized into Christ)

This is the one and only one needed. Water baptism is a outward show of faith and repentance of a former life and sin as John said (John 1:25-33, Matt 3:11). Water baptisms were part of the mosaic law and included simple things like the washings of ones hands

Now... As one of those crazy tongue talking preachers I believe this baptism to be entirely separate from the baptism of the Spirit as shown by Paul and a group of disciples( already accepted Christ) in acts 19:1-6. Having already accepted Jesus ( hence called disciples), which is the baptism into Christ they then informed Paul they were unaware of the Holy Spirit. More than likely because they unlike us had no bible and had only heard that which had been preached to them.upon hearing this Paul... Well read for yourself what happens next!

No matter the case , be it Israel's baptism into the clouds (1 corth 10:2), johns, even Jesus's suffering (lk 12:50), there is only one which saves.... Which restores..... Which brings eternal life with God

Dustoffmyfeet · Mar 8, 2014

It is the baptism of death. It is the crucifying of the old man and the circumcision of the heart. We will all go through this one baptism as anything else is just an outward symbol of you partaking of it in your minds.

crossnote · Mar 8, 2014

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

That's my vote.

joeyruready · Mar 8, 2014

I believe this verse describes the one baptism.

Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

God is one. I do not follow Trinitarian teachers but we know clearly from scripture God has revealed himself to us as Father Son and Spirit. HIs nature is three in one. (but God is infinite not trinite) We are three in one(in HIs image, body soul and spirit) I believe God's baptism is three in one. One baptism in three forms. Each form has a specific purpose. Water baptism is for repentance. Spiritual baptism is rebirth. Fire baptism is trials which test and refine our faith. Combined are one baptism to unite us to God. We should all understand, it is written Repentance,(for forgiveness of sins) Born again,(death to our old life and born again by the spirit of God) and Faith(tested and refined by fire) are all requirements of salvation.

ji · Mar 8, 2014

Vernon said:

It is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, there is only one Spirit and we are all baptized into him. There are many types of water baptism, but only one baptism in the Spirit.

" We believe the Holy Spirit, The Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets." Nicene Creed circa 325ad

what are the many types of water baptism?Never heard before....

ji · Mar 8, 2014

joeyruready said:

I believe this verse describes the one baptism.

Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

God is one. I do not follow Trinitarian teachers but we know clearly from scripture God has revealed himself to us as Father Son and Spirit. HIs nature is three in one. (but God is infinite not trinite) We are three in one(in HIs image, body soul and spirit) I believe God's baptism is three in one. One baptism in three forms. Each form has a specific purpose. Water baptism is for repentance. Spiritual baptism is rebirth. Fire baptism is trials which test and refine our faith. Combined are one baptism to unite us to God. We should all understand, it is written Repentance,(for forgiveness of sins) Born again,(death to our old life and born again by the spirit of God) and Faith(tested and refined by fire) are all requirements of salvation.

wow,..
Provided you do realize that there are several Gifts of the Holy Spirit including Speaking in Tongues.
i think i met a real powerful Christian now

....powerful in the sense(hid in Christ)
your comment was a blessing.

parablepete · Mar 8, 2014

There were many baptisms once in the scriptures, for the forgiveness of sins, Sea, Ashes of a Heffer, Johns Baptism, Baptism of the HS, Fire, Clouds.

Many of these were in the beginning of the church. We know that there were people baptized in water in the name of Father, The Son and the HS. We know from Pauls baptism that sins were forgiven.

So what do we know it was a baptism Ro. 6:3-6 In Christs name, To have sins forgiven Acts 22:16, we also recieve the Gift of the HP./Salavation.

presidente · Mar 8, 2014

I tend to think of it saying that there is one baptism that we all participate in. My baptism is not different from your baptism.

I don't think it is saying that being baptized with water is being baptized with the Holy Ghost, or that when Jesus asked James if he would be baptized with the baptism the Lord would be baptized with and drink the cup that the Lord would drink of, that Jesus was referring to water baptism or baptism with the Holy Spirit in that instance.

RedTent · Mar 8, 2014

John told all about water baptism that he performed. Mat_3:11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but the One who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove His sandals. He Himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Now, we are baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire.

All through scripture, earthly things are used as an expression of the spiritual. It is sort of our connection between temporal and spiritual. We can think that once we perform the temporal part of any spiritual command, we have completed God's request of us. Scripture often points out that is not so. There is the story of the Jew who paraded in front of people to show he was fasting, and told that wasn't what was required. We are told to rest on the Sabbath, and told that if our rest includes not helping others in need the rest is not right. Paul has entire letters he wrote about not using the temporal obedience as spiritual obedience. So we can have water baptism that does not work at all, but water baptism that represents a connection to Christ has tremendous power.

CWJ · Mar 8, 2014

* Can you tell me please, what you perceive to be the One Baptism of Ephesians four?
* Is the baptism spoken of in Ephesians 4, water baptism, or baptism with the Holy Ghost?

Responses:
Old Hermit Vernon Grandpa Rockman7
Dustoffmyfeet Crossnote Joeyruready
Ji Parablepete Presidente Redtent

Hi there,

Thank you all for responding to my question.

Old Hermit: told me to take note of the baptism carried out by the Apostles and others.
Vernon: believes it is the baptism of the Spirit.
Grandpa: believes it is the baptism of the Spirit
Rockman7: believes it will take the form of Acts 19:6 (baptism of the Spirit)
Dustoffmyfeet: says it is the baptism of death, the crucifixion of the flesh.
Crossnote: believes it to be that of 1 Corinthians 12:13
Joeyruready: believes that it is God’s baptism, which is three-in-one.
Ji: questions the many examples of water baptism in Scripture, and applauds Joeyruready’s entry.
Parablepete: reponds to Ji, with examples of baptisms in Scripture.
Presidente: refers to our Lord’s words to James and John, which is neither baptism of the Spirit or baptism in water.(Mark 10:34-39)
Redtent: points out that water baptism is merely a type, a shadow of the true.

I thank you for all of your input, you have given me different aspects of this subject to consider. I hope I have understood you correctly. I will be back (God-willing) to tell you the conclusion I have reached.

In Christ Jesus
Chris

Dustoffmyfeet · Mar 8, 2014

Romans 6:3-5
[SUP]
3 [/SUP]Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
[SUP]4[/SUP]Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

[SUP]5 [/SUP]For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Wildflower · Mar 8, 2014

The One baptism is by the Spirit, into the body of Christ.

This is the baptism for the new creature. We are said to be crucified with Christ, this means there is a work God wrought in Christ, where He quickened us together on the cross.

We can plainly see the distinction from the other baptisms, in that Christ was the one doing the baptizing with the Holy Spirit in early Acts.

There are reasons for this, the ministries. What is the ministry of reconciliation all about? There are three distinct time periods in Scripture. There are distinct dispensations. There are two programs that need to be taken into account, what distinguishes one from another, doctrine.

One is for an external system, law. One is for an eternal system, grace. Prophecy and Mystery. The preaching of the cross is different for those under the law and those dead to the law. Water baptism is not a part of our gospel or our ministry, we have an apostle, he says Christ did not send him to baptize, this speaks of commission, a gospel to be preached according to the revelation spoken about in Gal 1 & 2, Eph 3, 2 Cor 5, Col 1& 2.

Gal 2:21
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Wildflower · Mar 8, 2014

I forgot to quote the question. My answer is, neither.

I would suggest studying the religious doctrines of men surrounding water baptism. We are not saved by it, or sealed by it, nor are we identified with Christ or our heavenly family and the household of God in a mode of water baptism, at any age. Baptismal regeneration for the new creature is false doctrine and another gospel.

faroukfarouk · Mar 8, 2014

Wildflower said:

I think so, too.

Water baptism is an outward symbol for those who already believe.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit happened at Pentecost, into the good of which the child of God comes at the new birth.

Blessings.

parablepete · Mar 9, 2014

faroukfarouk said:

I am glad what you THINK don't mean a hill of beans to anyone but, YOU! You have been taught wrong and lied to.

CWJ · Mar 9, 2014

* Is the baptism spoken of in Ephesians 4, water baptism, or baptism with the Holy Ghost?

Responses:-

Old Hermit Vernon Grandpa Rockman7
Dustoffmyfeet Crossnote Joeyruready
Ji Parablepete Presidente Redtent
Wildflower
Faroukfarouk

Hello there,

This is what I conclude:-

1) Baptism in water (Matt 3:1-6) is connected very much with the kingdom.
2) The Kingdom was rejected and the King crucified.
3) A forty year opportunity was given for Israel to repent during the Acts period.
4) They did not repent.
5) At the end of this period they went into blindness and the kingdom is now in abeyance.

In letters written during the forty years covering the record of the book of Acts (eg., Romans, 1 Corinthians), water baptism and the baptism with the Holy Spirit are both practiced: the one 'decreasing' and the other 'increasing', on the principle of John 3:30 - TWO BAPTISMS.

Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians are written following the laying aside of Israel (temporarily) in unbelief in Acts 28: following the warning in Acts 13:40; and it was then that the sevenfold unity of the Spirit is given to the Church which is His Body (Eph. 1:22,23) in Ephesians 4, of which the ONE BAPTISM forms a part; with the exhortation to KEEP IT.

This one baptism I also believe to be 'of' the Spirit, for within the Church, which is the body of Christ, of which He is the Head, there are no types or shadows, for the reality is now come and is Head over ALL THINGS to the Church - Christ Jesus our Saviour, Lord and Head.

PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME.

Although 'of' the Spirit, I do not believe it is that Baptism of the Spirit which is accompanied by spiritual gifts evidenced during the period covered by the book of Acts, which were intended as a sign to Israel: but is the identification of the believer with His Lord; in HIS death, burial, quickening, resurrection and ascension, which is undertaken by the Holy Spirit on believing.

* In the Church which is His Body everything is of the Spirit, the flesh counts for nothing.

PRAISE GOD!

Thank you everyone.
In Christ Jesus
Chris

The Baptism of Ephesians Four

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