Hello again, God bless,
When I read the words about "one baptism" in Ephesians. I see this as the one saving baptism into Christ by the Spirit. This is the vital saving one. The other baptisms we read of are important but this must be referring to the one saving one of 1 Peter 3:21, and Mark 16:16, and this would go along with the one baptism that ALL believers are in which is 1 Cor 12:13 and Galatians 3 and other places that describe the one baptism into Jesus Christ where we put on Christ and are members of that one body of Christ. When Jesus is in us and we in him (john 15).
While baptism into the Spirit was not a requirement for salvation under the Old Covenant, it is a requirement under the New Covenant because the Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:14). Without any inheritance, we cannot be saved. For Paul talks about those who do certain sins will not have any inheritance in the Kingdom of God (See: Ephesians 5:3-7). This is dealing with salvation because the Parable of the Sheep and Goats defines inheritance as entering the Kingdom because they helped the poor, and contrasts that with those who did not help the poor who will go away into everlasting punishment (See: Matthew 25:31-46). Plus, we have to be immersed (baptized) into the Spirit as a part of salvation. See also Romans 8:11. No Spirit. No resurrection. Means no salvation.
Baptism by fire done by the Lord Jesus as spoken by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11) is also a requirement as a part of our salvation because it is dealing with testing our faith and purifying our lives. If we fail all the tests of God in this life and we fail to live holy in this life until the end, we will not be saved. For without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
You said:We read clearly in scripture that there is only “ONE” baptism in Ephesians 4:5, and yet that there is more than one baptism spoken of in Hebrews 6:2. One baptism, and baptisms, would seem at first glance, to be a contradiction, but this is not the case. There are about 7 baptisms in scripture, if you don’t include the diverse washings of Hebrews 9 verse, and the Halakah law of the Jews for Gentile converts, which would make baptisms cover many various kinds. But yet we read of one baptism * Ephesians 4:5 KJV) and of a saving baptism 1 Peter 3:21 ( which is not water baptism as i understand but rather a baptism into Jesus Christ where we are raised up into the heavens with him and come to rest in Him and a new life, where inwardly we have the witness and our conscience also has an answer to the inquiry of how we can be saved). Consider these different baptisms, in contrast to the one saving baptism.
But read again the surrounding context of Ephesians 4:5.
The context supports the idea of things we must do as a part of the faith and it is not primarily about God doing something upon us.
#1. Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.
#2. Forbearing one another in love;
#3. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
#2. Forbearing one another in love;
#3. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Granted, verse 7 does give some weight to your viewpoint, but the beginning context heavily weighs in with things we must do and believe.
Also, consider that it mentions that there is one Father, one Spirit, and yet they are are a part of the triune Godhead or Trinity. So a person can wrongfully conclude Tritheism on this passage (When it is not teaching that). So the one baptism only makes sense here in the fact it is focused on something we must be concerned with. In fact, the whole chapter of Ephesians 4 is primarily focused on our holy conduct (in doing something) (See: Ephesians 4:17-32). One faith we must live out. One God we must worship. One body we must love. One baptism we must seek to partake of.
You said:1. The baptism unto Moses. “And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea” 1 Corinthians 10:2
2. The baptism of John with water unto repentance “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:” Matthew 3:11
3. Jesus baptism, in the Jordan river, to manifest himself to Israel and to fulfill all righteousness. “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.” Matthew 3:13 -15
4. The baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire, “he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” Matthew 3:11. The two baptism here seem to be related to the Power of the Spirit in our lives. The baptism with fire is in need of discussion. A purging may be involved and daily life aspect.
5. Baptism into Christ at salvation, the saving “one” baptism”, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27 and “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body...” 1 Corinthians 12:13 and “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Romans 6:3, and “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, ( not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “ 1 Peter 3:21 , Mark 16:16, "
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved”
6. Baptism unto sufferings, “But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.” Matthew 20:22
7.The Baptising in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost “ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28. the teaching immerses all the world in the name ( character life, virtue authority and power of the father the Son and the Holy Ghost. While Jesus was in the earth he kept them in the NAME of the father and manifested the father to them. The Holy Ghost will testify of Jesus and jesus will teach of the father the father reveals the Son and we in Christ teach all immersing them into the name. While Peter was speaking to the Gentiles the Holy host fell on those who heard the word. This is one example.
8. The "diverse washings" of Hebrews 9 and the halakah Law of the Jews. There were many various washings under the law. Even Johns water baptism may fit into these, being a carnal ordinance and diverse washing under the OT. Johns said he must decrease and jesus increase. Johns whole ministry was to decrease as was the Old Covenant.
Yes, my list was not exhaustive by any means. Granted, I do not agree with some of your classifications of baptisms like #7. I also would see the baptism in fire as a separate baptism. #6 I see as a baptism unto death (Which fits the context and other translations). #8. I simply I would just say diverse washings (Sticking with Scripture). The important thing to understand is that we are under any diverse washings that do not apply in the New Covenant. This of course would not include water baptism in Jesus’ name because we see the apostles do this with others several times without any rebuke from the LORD (Especially seeing God was communicating to them directly).
I created a new thread on this.
The Doctrine of Baptisms
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