Articles
The Doctrine Of Baptisms
What Is The Doctrine Of Baptisms?
The subject of baptism is being ignored in the religious world today. Many individuals believe different things when it comes to baptism. This is not a result of the Bible being unclear about baptism, but it is a result of individuals wanting to justify what they believe baptism to be. I believe in Hebrews 5:11-6:2, the writer of this oracle gives 8 ways to measure spiritual maturity. One of the things he mentions in Hebrews 6:2 is the doctrine of baptisms. The word “baptisms” is plural meaning there is more than one. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible talks about 5 baptisms. The 5 baptisms are: 1) The baptism of Moses, 2) The baptism of John, 3) The baptism of Christ, 4) Holy Ghost baptism, & 5) Fire baptism. In order for a Christian to separate him or herself from being a babe in Christ to being one who can eat strong meat, they must know this information to be able to rebuke error and teach others of what thus saith the Lord.
The Baptism Of Moses (1 Corinthians 10:1-4)
The Bible teaches in 1 Corinthians 10:2 the children of Israel were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and the sea. The actual story referenced here can be found in Exodus 13:21-14:31. Those who do not believe a person needs to be immersed in water in order to receive salvation often bring this up. They want to know “Who among the children of Israel got wet when God allowed them to walk across on dry ground?” They want to know “Why the children of Israel were saved, but Pharaoh’s men traveled the same path and died?” Although they were not baptized as described in the New Testament, they were indeed baptized. The cloud, which was God, led the children of Israel and they traveled through the sea, which was water. In Romans 8:14, the Bible reads, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” They were not only the children of Israel, but they were the children of God. God led them through the sea. In John 3:5, the Bible reads, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” When a person is baptized, water and the Spirit are involved. Both water and God were involved in the baptism of the children of Israel by way of Moses. Moses gave the command by the word of the Lord. The children of Israel obeyed. They followed God through the sea and as a result of this action; they were delivered from the hands of Pharaoh. Therefore, the crossing of the Red Sea and being led by God was the baptism of Moses.
Compare & Contrast Between The Baptism Of John & The Baptism Of Christ
The similarities between the two baptisms are: 1) Both Jesus and John baptized by way of immersion in water (John’s baptism - Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:1-22; John 1:15-34; 3:23; Acts 1:5) (Jesus’ baptism – John 3:22; 4:1-2). 2) Both Jesus and John baptized for the remission of sins (John’s baptism – Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3) (Jesus’ baptism – Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38). 3) Repentance was a prerequisite prior to John and Jesus’ baptism (John’s baptism – Matthew 3:8 and 11; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3 and 8; Acts 13:24; 19:4) (Jesus’ baptism – Acts 2:38). The differences between the two baptisms are: 1) Jesus’ baptism was designed to save, but John’s baptism was designed to bring individuals to Christ (Mark 16:16; Acts 19:1-5; 1 Peter 3:21). 2) John’s baptism was temporary, but Jesus’ baptism is permanent (Acts 19:1-5; Ephesians 4:5). 3) Jesus’ baptism was a rebirth (John 3:5). Jesus’ baptism put an individual in Christ (Galatians 3:27). John’s baptism could not produce either of these results. This is why the Ephesians in Acts 19:1-5 had to be baptized in Christ, even though they had already been baptized by John. John’s baptism was good up to the cross of Christ, but after the cross, it was no good. In order for men to be saved, they must be baptized unto Christ’s baptism.
What Is Holy Ghost Baptism?
Holy Ghost baptism was to be administered by Christ and Christ only (Matthew 3:11-12; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16-17; John 1:33). Man cannot baptize you in the Holy Ghost. Let me further affirm, nobody is baptized in the Holy Ghost today, for Holy Ghost baptism had a specific purpose and this purpose has been fulfilled already. In the Bible, we only read of two accounts in which individuals were baptized with the Holy Ghost. In these two accounts, there were two different groups of people, yet yielding the same results. In Acts 1:5, Jesus told His apostles they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost. In Acts 2:1-4, the apostles were baptized with the Holy Ghost. What was the evidence of them having been baptized with the Holy Ghost? In Acts 2:4, they were speaking in tongues (a known language and dialect according to Acts 2:6-11). What were the results? The word of God was confirmed (Mark 16:17-20 & Acts 2:14-36), Jews were saved through water baptism (Acts 2:41), & Jews were added to the Lord (Acts 2:47). The second account is found in Acts 10:44-48. Cornelius & his household were baptized with the Holy Ghost. We know this because of the testimony of Peter, who was baptized with the Holy Ghost in Acts 2 (Acts 10:47 & 11:15-18). What was the evidence of them having been baptized with the Holy Ghost? In Acts 10:46, they were speaking in tongues. What were the results? The word of God was confirmed (Mark 16:17-20 & Acts 10:34-44), the Gentiles were saved through water baptism (Acts 10:47-48), & Gentile were added to the Lord (Acts 11:1 & 18). Both Jews & Gentiles have received salvation. There is no other group on earth who needs to have salvation made available unto them, for the purpose of Holy Ghost baptism was to confirm the word, bring glad tidings, and provide salvation to a group of individuals who were not privy to eternal life in Christ before.
What Is Fire Baptism?
Fire baptism is to be administered by Christ and Christ only (Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17). Many people believe Holy Ghost baptism and fire baptism are the same baptism, but they are totally different. Many individuals believe they are baptized with fire baptism, but if they truly understood what the Bible teaches in being baptized by fire, then let me assure you, they would not desire to be baptized by fire. In Matthew 3:11-12, the Bible reads, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” To understand this is to understand what Jesus describes wheat as. Jesus told a parable in Matthew 13:24-30 about wheat and tares. We, as free moral agents, are to strive to become as wheat unto the Lord and not tares. Jesus is going to save the wheat. He is going to gather them together and place them in His barn, which is His heavenly kingdom. Everything else is going to be baptized with unquenchable fire. The Bible calls fire baptism the second death (Revelation 20:14-15). Nobody in his or her right mind would want to be baptized with fire.
This is what the Bible teaches in regards to the doctrine of baptisms. In Ephesians 4:5, the Bible teaches there is but one baptism and that baptism is the baptism of Christ, who requires we are baptized (immersed) in water for the remission of our sins. If we want to be saved, have our sins remitted, be born again spiritually, and be in Christ, then we must be baptized with the baptism of Christ (1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38; John 3:5; and Galatians 3:27).
