God's ONE Baptism For His Body!

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May 1, 2022
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I'm glad you kid. It's not my intention to get people fired up. I just want to challenge them and myself.
So let me ask you. When the Ephesians get this letter and read one baptism, how will they know it's "spiritual" baptism and not the water baptism when they were converted?
Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV, which states, "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," speaks of a spiritual baptism, specifically the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

The passage emphasizes the unity of believers in Christ, highlighting the shared experiences and beliefs that bind them together. It mentions "one body," referring to the church as the collective body of Christ, and "one Spirit," referring to the Holy Spirit who resides in and empowers all believers.

The "one faith" refers to the singular belief system that unites Christians, centered on the core tenets of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. The "one baptism" is often interpreted as the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which signifies the spiritual cleansing and empowerment by the Holy Spirit upon salvation.

The passage concludes by affirming the sovereignty of God, the Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in all believers. This reinforces the idea that the spiritual baptism, or the baptism of the Holy Ghost, is a divine act that connects believers to God and to one another.

In summary, Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV speaks of the spiritual baptism, the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which signifies the cleansing, empowerment, and unity of believers in Christ. It emphasizes the shared experiences and beliefs that bind them together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the sovereignty of God.
 

turbosixx

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Sep 16, 2023
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Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV, which states, "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," speaks of a spiritual baptism, specifically the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

The passage emphasizes the unity of believers in Christ, highlighting the shared experiences and beliefs that bind them together. It mentions "one body," referring to the church as the collective body of Christ, and "one Spirit," referring to the Holy Spirit who resides in and empowers all believers.

The "one faith" refers to the singular belief system that unites Christians, centered on the core tenets of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. The "one baptism" is often interpreted as the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which signifies the spiritual cleansing and empowerment by the Holy Spirit upon salvation.

The passage concludes by affirming the sovereignty of God, the Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in all believers. This reinforces the idea that the spiritual baptism, or the baptism of the Holy Ghost, is a divine act that connects believers to God and to one another.

In summary, Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV speaks of the spiritual baptism, the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which signifies the cleansing, empowerment, and unity of believers in Christ. It emphasizes the shared experiences and beliefs that bind them together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the sovereignty of God.
Were the Ephesians water baptized when they were converted?
 
May 1, 2022
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Were the Ephesians water baptized when they were converted?
I am not sure of the reasoning behind the question but the answer is yes, twice? Here are some Scriptures and personal thoughts.

In Acts 19:1-6, we read about a group of Ephesian believers who had been baptized by John the Baptist. When Paul asked them about their baptism, they said that they had been baptized "into John's baptism." Paul then baptized them "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:5).

Interpreters believe that Paul rebaptized the Ephesians because their baptism by John was baptism of repentance. John's baptism was preparation for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which was not yet available at the time of John's ministry. According to this view, the Ephesians needed to be rebaptized in order to receive the Holy Spirit and become true Christians.

Act 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
 

turbosixx

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Sep 16, 2023
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I am not sure of the reasoning behind the question but the answer is yes, twice? Here are some Scriptures and personal thoughts.

In Acts 19:1-6, we read about a group of Ephesian believers who had been baptized by John the Baptist. When Paul asked them about their baptism, they said that they had been baptized "into John's baptism." Paul then baptized them "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:5).

Interpreters believe that Paul rebaptized the Ephesians because their baptism by John was baptism of repentance. John's baptism was preparation for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which was not yet available at the time of John's ministry. According to this view, the Ephesians needed to be rebaptized in order to receive the Holy Spirit and become true Christians.

Act 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
In my opinion, this is a great place to get a better understanding of how this works and a lot can be learned from it.
If we look at the end of the previous chapter, we see they were not disciples of John but of Apollos. Apollos taught them Jesus accurately but he only knew John's baptism. Prescilla and Aquila pulled him aside and taught him more accurately about the proper baptism.

Acts 18:24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

We can see from verse 19:1 that after Apollos leaves, Paul comes in behind him. As you have said these people are already believers. They don't need to be taught the gospel they just need to understand baptism. They were taught correctly about Jesus, but they were water baptized for the wrong reason.
If there is one baptism and the HS does that baptism upon belief, why would Paul ask Unto what then were ye baptized?

Also notice that Paul doesn't give them gifts of the HS until after he water baptizes them again, this time properly in the name of Jesus. If we look at Acts 8 we see the Samaritans were taught Jesus and baptized properly but didn't receive any gifts. When the apostles come to give them gifts, they just lay hands on them. We see they don't need to be taught anything or baptized again because they were taught right and baptized right. We can't be taught wrong and baptized right.
 
May 1, 2022
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In my opinion, this is a great place to get a better understanding of how this works and a lot can be learned from it.
If we look at the end of the previous chapter, we see they were not disciples of John but of Apollos. Apollos taught them Jesus accurately but he only knew John's baptism. Prescilla and Aquila pulled him aside and taught him more accurately about the proper baptism.

Acts 18:24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

We can see from verse 19:1 that after Apollos leaves, Paul comes in behind him. As you have said these people are already believers. They don't need to be taught the gospel they just need to understand baptism. They were taught correctly about Jesus, but they were water baptized for the wrong reason.
If there is one baptism and the HS does that baptism upon belief, why would Paul ask Unto what then were ye baptized?

Also notice that Paul doesn't give them gifts of the HS until after he water baptizes them again, this time properly in the name of Jesus. If we look at Acts 8 we see the Samaritans were taught Jesus and baptized properly but didn't receive any gifts. When the apostles come to give them gifts, they just lay hands on them. We see they don't need to be taught anything or baptized again because they were taught right and baptized right. We can't be taught wrong and baptized right.
Let us not forget the there is also The Baptism of the Holy Ghost as well as baptism in water in His name.
 

turbosixx

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Sep 16, 2023
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Let us not forget the there is also The Baptism of the Holy Ghost as well as baptism in water in His name.
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

You've listed 2 baptisms. One of them doesn't belong. If there is one baptism and it's baptism of the Holy Spirit, then why did Paul baptize the Ephesians in water?
 
May 1, 2022
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one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

You've listed 2 baptisms. One of them doesn't belong. If there is one baptism and it's baptism of the Holy Spirit, then why did Paul baptize the Ephesians in water?
Water Baptism is something we do, not that the act or even the water itself has power to do anything, its His Grace through our faith that is what saves us. We don't need to do an entire study of Romans 6.

Baptism in the Holy Ghost is what Jesus does to the believer who places their faith in Him to bring them into His Church. (The One Baptism here referred to.)

Here is some Scriptures to hopefully bring things into perspective you only need to see verse 2 I like to use more than one verse so there is more context to go by.

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
 

turbosixx

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Sep 16, 2023
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Water Baptism is something we do, not that the act or even the water itself has power to do anything
From what I read in scripture, it does do something. For example, could Naama's leprosy be cleansed any other way than dipping in the waters of the Jordan?
Also, looking at the conversion of Paul, at what point did the Holy Spirit baptize him?
In Acts 22:16, why does Ananias ask him what he is waiting on. He still needed to do something. Why does he need to rise and be baptized to wash away his sin? And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Baptism in the Holy Ghost is what Jesus does to the believer who places their faith in Him to bring them into His Church. (The One Baptism here referred to.)
What scripture/s would you use to support "baptism in the Holy Spirit"?

Hebrews 6 is talking about leaving the elementary (beginning) foundational things and moving on to maturity. The writer chewed them out in the previous chapter. I'm not sure I understand your point.
 
May 14, 2022
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one baptism is baptism into Christ body

Baptism in water and baptism by Holy Spirit are intermediary and first not necessary but second necessary to start baptism into Christ
 

rogerg

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Jul 13, 2021
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Water Baptism is something we do, not that the act or even the water itself has power to do anything, its His Grace through our faith that is what saves us. We don't need to do an entire study of Romans 6.
True faith is a gift from God. Everything pertaining to salvation comes through and by Jesus Christ, nothing is from us - He is the Saviour.

[Phl 1:29 KJV] 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

[2Th 2:13 KJV] 13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

[Rom 4:9 KJV] 9 [Cometh] this blessedness then upon the circumcision [only], or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
 

GRACE_ambassador

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Feb 22, 2021
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Latest Revision Of:

God’s Sound Doctrine of One Baptism Under His Amazing Grace!

Precious friends, first - briefly:

Today, In God's [ Different Than Law ] Context Of Mystery / Grace:

There Is Only One Baptism = "By" The One Spirit = God's Operation,
Spiritually
Identifying members In ( The One Body Of ) Christ!
(Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27;
Romans 6:3-4; ►►► 1 Corinthians 12:13 AV ◄◄◄)

-------------------------------------------------

Expanded Version, For your Edification/spiritual Building Up!, follows:

God’s Sound Doctrine of One Baptism Under His Amazing Grace!

Grace and Peace! To All Dear Readers who have Persevered
through the many previous (12) baptisms, and have come to
this point of Weighing All Of God’s Scriptural Evidence In His
Very Critically Important Doctrine Of Baptisms!

Is God’s Doctrine of One Baptism, as many think, water?

We are Spiritually Identified With ( Baptized Into ) Christ, His
Crucifixion, His
Death, His Burial, And His Resurrection!
( Sounds like The Greatest News I've Ever heard! ), so…

...some of The Confirming Scriptures:

Romans 6:3 AV ...Baptized Into Jesus Christ...Baptized Into His Death!

Romans 6:4 AV ...Buried With Him By Baptism Into Death!

Romans 6:6 AV ...Crucified ( Jesus' Death Baptism? ) With Him! - And also:

“For as many of you as Have Been Baptized Into
Christ Have Put On Christ!” (Galatians 3:27 AV)​
How does a physical ritual "Baptize us into a Spiritual Organism"?

In addition, there is Absolutely No water Found “In God's Immediate
Context”
Of Any Of These Baptism Passages!

So, can we just Add/Infer water into God's Context 'to fit' another view?

With The SuperNatural Help Of The Blessed Holy Spirit, And Comparing
Spiritual Scripture With Spiritual Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:13 AV),
This One Baptism Makes us Spiritually:

“Complete In Him, Who Is The Head of all principality and power!”​
(Colossians 2:10 AV), having:​
“...The Circumcision Made Without hands { God’s Operation? }​
...The Circumcision Of Christ!” (Colossians 2:11 AV), And Spiritually:​
“Buried With Him In Baptism, Wherein Also ye Are Risen​
With Him Through The Faith Of The Operation Of God, Who​
Hath Raised Him From The Dead!” (Colossians 2:12 AV)​
And Further:

“Not by works of righteousness { water? } which we have done, But​
According To His Mercy He Saved us By The Washing of Regeneration​
{ Operation Of God’s BLOOD? }, And Renewing Of The Holy Ghost!”​
(Titus 3:5 AV)​
“Which He Shed on us Abundantly Through Jesus Christ our Saviour!”​
(Titus 3:6 AV)​
This Should “Complete The Spiritual Operation” of The Triune GodHead,
But, Are we done “Comparing All The Scriptures” Of The One Baptism?
Should not All diligent students 'see' That, In:

The Revelation Of The Mystery ( Gospel Of Grace For 'us Today' ),
with a Prayerful and Careful study, Rightly Divided, God Teaches:

Ephesians 4:5 AV Clearly States: “...One Lord, one faith, One Baptism...”​
{ Or, perchance Paul was mistaken, and he really meant two? }​
So:
What Saith The Holy Scriptures “In It's Context,” About This One Baptism?:

“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!”​
(Ephesians 4:3-6 AV)​

Are we All Really "endeavouring to keep this Unity"? Or, should we now
follow a different pattern of "two bodies, two Spirits, two hopes, two Lords,
two faiths, and two Fathers," in order to be consistent with a

"two baptisms" theology?​

Now, unless we are mistaken, there are 3 choices of under-
standing God’s Context In This Critically Important Passage!:

1) all 'physical' { Wrong 'unity' } = Destruction of His Context, agreed?

2) combo of 6 Spiritual + 1 'physical,' lifted out, and:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . isolated

From God's Context, to be 'interpreted' as: 'water' baptism =
Destruction { No Unity! } Of God's Context, agreed?

3) These Seven Unities Of God's Spirit are All Spiritual, so
now we kindly/humbly ask, Is not God’s One Baptism “Spiritual”?

Let us, Finally:

Make One More Scriptural Comparison (1 Corinthians 2:13 AV), And Ask:
What Saith The Scripture? And, The One Answer we hear, From God, Is:

"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!" (1 Corinthians 12:13 AV)​
United! Or Severely Divided?​

If This "One Baptism" Is Not = “The Operation Of God,”
then we would have to concede that it is:

men & religion with ‘water' that saves us, Under Grace – any takers?

{ Please advise: Is it not sin to take God’s “Spiritual Operation Of One
Baptism," and for men To 'add to It or replace It with' water? Is this
[ Wrongly Combining, instead of "Rightly Dividing, God's Word of Truth" ]
not why the 'weak And Severely Divided Church' is So Throughly
Confused? }
“For God is not the author of confusion, but​
[ Is The Author ] Of Peace, as in All churches​
of the saints!” (1 Corinthians 14:33 AV)​

Thus, All True Believers who come to God, In The Way God Has
Prescribed In His Holy Word, By The Gospel Of The Grace Of God,
And Place Complete 100% faith In:

The Lord Jesus Christ, In His Precious Blood, And In His Resurrection!

Will Always have spiritual Unity!, In:

God's “Spiritual Operation” Of Eternal Salvation For EverMore! Amen?

When should all be in "agreement With, and Glorifying, God"? Now?
(1 Corinthians 1:9-18 cp Romans 15:6; Philippians 1:27 AV)

Or later at: God's Great GRACE Departure!? (cp 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 AV)

If now, could that Really be the start of practical earthly unity for
The Already "spiritually ( 'members one of another' ) united" Church
{ In Heaven! }, Which Is His Body, Of Christ!? (Ephesians 4:3 AV)

And, That "fellowship Based On" our mutual 'faith In Christ'!
{ instead of Many Various Unsound water doctrines! } Amen?

And, in unity, "striving Together For The Faith Of The Gospel"?
------------
Please pray for this “Unity Of The Spirit In The Bond Of Peace!” And,
thanks kindly For Your Patient Review of This Critically Important study!

One Baptism Video if you wish...

And, Please Be Very Richly Encouraged, Enlightened, and Edified!
====================
Lord Jesus, thank You for This Precious Word Of Truth That Has Solved my
confusion. May This Also be used for the Encouragement of Many others.
Amen.
 

GRACE_ambassador

Well-known member
Feb 22, 2021
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Next Update For ONE Baptism!

Bible reading recently Discovered This Amazing Passage for Israel,
Under the law:

"When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that​
Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, ( Though Jesus​
Himself baptized not, but His disciples, )" (John 4:1-2 AV)​
Q: Where in Paul's Scriptures for The Body Of Christ, Under Grace, can
we find a Similar statement that we can Actually interpret as baptismal regenerationists/protestants like to think about:

"Paul was Not sent to baptize (1 Corinthians 1:17 AV),

But all the other Grace apostles/preachers were Sent to baptize", and​
Thus making Two baptisms, Under God's Grace, Today!
Please advise:
Where Exactly is this kind of "split commission" found in God's Holy Word Of
Truth, Rightly Divided?
This makes ↑ no sense at all, eh?

Amen.

Also helpful is:

One [ Unifying ] Baptism