All verses in the NKJV with the words baptism, baptize(d), and baptizing were analyzed.
Baptism into the church (salvation)
This does not refer to an intellectual belief (or conversion of one’s thinking),
but this refers to being born again (from above) with the Holy Spirit entering the person.
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (the church)
… and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact
the body is not one member but many.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).
The Holy Spirit takes up residence INSIDE the believer.
“And I will pray (to) the Father, and He will give you another Helper,
that He may abide with you forever -- the Spirit of truth …
… you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
… And We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:16-23)
Other verses stating that the Holy Spirit comes inside the believer are:
Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Galatians 4:6; 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 John 3:24, 4:12-16.
It appears that Jesus’ 11 disciples were the first to be born again:
“… He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’ ” (John 20:22).
Baptism in water
Full-immersion water baptism is meant to be symbolic, and it is the outward expression of inward faith.
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death,
that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4).
”… buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through
faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12).
Jesus died to self, went down under the earth, was resurrected with a new incorruptible body.
We are to die to self, go down under the water, come up a new man ready to live a new life.
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27).
Several verses indicate that water baptism is strongly advised:
John was God’s forerunner: “John came baptizing in the wilderness and
preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”(Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3).
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Jesus, Matthew 28:19).
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe
will be condemned.”(Mark 16:16).
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit …
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day
about three thousand souls were added to them. (Acts 2:38-41).
“Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16).
“There is also an antitype which now saves us — baptism
… through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).
But, water baptism is not necessary for salvation. Scripture teaches us that
we are justified by faith alone, not by works (Romans 4:1-8, Ephesians 2:8-9).
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel …” (1 Corinthians 1:17).
Baptism with the Holy Spirit
John the Baptist proclaimed that Jesus is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit
(Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33) … whereas …
the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the church at the time of our salvation.
Jesus was the first to receive this baptism:
“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water;
and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.” (Matthew 3:16).
Jesus was baptized in water and baptized with the Holy Spirit at the same time.
The baptism with the Holy Spirit comes after, or at the same time as, being born again
… and there are 7 verses stating that the Holy Spirit comes UPON the believer:
“… the Holy Spirit fell upon them (the Gentiles), as upon us (the Jews) at the beginning.
Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water,
but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ” (Acts 11:15-16).
The others are: Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-8, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 8:14-19, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:5-6.
Which baptism is this, salvation or water? “(Peter and John) prayed for them (Samarians)
that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them.
They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 8:15-16).
Jesus made it very clear that He would be sending “the promise” of the Holy Spirit
upon believers (Luke 24:49), specifically the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-8).
This occurred on the Day of Pentecost, and is called “The Coming of the Holy Spirit”.
The Holy Spirit sat upon each person, and then …
“they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4).
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those
who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished,
as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out
on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, ‘Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized
who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ And he commanded them
to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 10:44-48).
In this case, Peter commanded water baptism after the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Many more details are available here … http://www.christian...riptural-study/
Baptism with fire
“He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16).
This refers to the extreme suffering of a martyr for the gospel’s sake.
Jesus was the first in Christianity to go through this.
“But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am
till it is accomplished!” (Luke 12:50).
Jesus asks His 12 disciples if they are able and willing to be martyrs also.
“Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink,
and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
… You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism
that I am baptized with” (Matthew 20:22-23, Mark 10:38-39).