The Baptism That Saves: What Most People Miss in Acts 11:16

[bdavidc]

Now we are ready to be baptized WITH the Spirit.


In 1 Corinthians 12:13 we are baptized BY the Spirit INTO Christ; whereby we are now in Christ.


It is a subtle nuance in language by it is there.

“Ready to be baptized with the Spirit” is not biblical. The Bible never teaches the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a separate experience after salvation. When a person is born again, it is the Spirit Himself who baptizes and brings the believer into the body of Christ.

Paul wrote, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” ~1 Corinthians 12:13. Baptism of the Spirit is not something that comes later. This is the instant of the new birth. Romans 8: 9 even says, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” There is no intermediate waiting period, nor is there a second baptism. Either a person has the Spirit of Christ and is a member of His body or not.

It is an unbiblical splitting of that which God made one to teach that we are first saved and later baptized with the Spirit. Ephesians 4:5 says there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” That one baptism is by the Spirit who brings us into Christ when we believe the gospel ~Ephesians 1:13.

Water baptism is added as obedience afterwards, but baptism by the Spirit occurs one time, at the time of salvation. To separate them into two stages and make the latter the subject of a special preparation confuses the whole matter and turns the new birth into a prolonged process rather than the miracle of grace that it is. Baptism of the Spirit is not something for which to be ready. It is what occurs when we are born again.

To add a second experience or a required ritual to salvation is to move the focus off the finished work of Christ and onto human effort or feeling. It is the same error that Paul condemned in Galatia: “Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” ~Galatians 3:3.

 

[JLB]

The Bible never teaches the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a separate experience after salvation.

Do you believe a person is water baptized after salvation?

When a person is born again, it is the Spirit Himself who baptizes and brings the believer into the body of Christ.

Amen. I agree.

 

[bdavidc]

Do you believe a person is water baptized after salvation?

Yes. Baptism comes after salvation, not before or as part of salvation. The Bible is clear on that. The Ethiopian eunuch first believed, then he was baptized ~Acts 8:36–38. The jailer at Philippi “believed in the Lord Jesus” and was immediately saved. Then, after that, he and his household were baptized ~Acts 16:31–33.

Baptism is an act of obedience that makes public what faith has already done. It doesn’t cause salvation; it testifies of it. “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not of works” ~Ephesians 2:8–9. Water baptism can’t wash away sin; only the blood of Jesus can do that ~1 John 1:7.

So yes, baptism follows salvation as an act of obedience, not a means of receiving it.

 

[DJT_47]

Yes. Baptism comes after salvation, not before or as part of salvation. The Bible is clear on that. The Ethiopian eunuch first believed, then he was baptized ~Acts 8:36–38. The jailer at Philippi “believed in the Lord Jesus” and was immediately saved. Then, after that, he and his household were baptized ~Acts 16:31–33.

Baptism is an act of obedience that makes public what faith has already done. It doesn’t cause salvation; it testifies of it. “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not of works” ~Ephesians 2:8–9. Water baptism can’t wash away sin; only the blood of Jesus can do that ~1 John 1:7.

So yes, baptism follows salvation as an act of obedience, not a means of receiving it.

Bassackwards.

 

[DJT_47]

However, the baptism that now saves us is not of water which cleans only the flesh, but the baptism with the Holy Spirit, and fire that makes even the conscience clean.

1 Peter 3:21 (KJV) 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 toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Matthew 3:11 (KJV) 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:

How is one baptized with the Holy Spirit according to scripture? What is the process? Where are the biblical examples and where does it say what we must to to be "baptized with the Holy Spirit"? Does it just happen all of a sudden for no reason and when? Does it somehow magically happen to everyone? When? How, according to the biblical records?

 

[DJT_47]

Ephesians 4:5 - ..one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

So, even though there are baptisms "plural" (Matthew 3:11) there is only ONE, NOT TWO baptisms that places us into the body of Christ and that is Spirit baptism, not water baptism.

So, Ephesians is wrong? And the correct translation is "in one Spirit", not "by one Spirit", according to the original Greek.

 

[DJT_47]

No, I did not agree. You’re adding what Scripture doesn’t say. The text of ~1 Peter 3:21 doesn’t make baptism the saving agent, it specifically separates the outward act from the inward faith. Peter says, “not the removal of dirt from the body,” but “the answer of a good conscience toward God.” The word “answer” (ἐπερώτημα, eperōtēma) means an appeal or pledge, not a physical act. The saving part is “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” not by immersion in water.

Salvation is of grace through faith, and nowhere do we see Peter and Paul contradict each other. If you haven’t yet realized that you’ve missed the point of what Peter, Paul and Jesus all said together, here it is: baptism doesn’t cause salvation, it’s the public declaration of it. When Peter said “baptism now saves you,” he immediately explained how: “not the removal of dirt from the body, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” ~1 Peter 3:21. That’s faith, not ritual. The saving power is in Christ’s resurrection, not in the act of being dipped in water.

The Ethiopian eunuch believed first, then was baptized ~Acts 8:37–38. The thief on the cross believed and was saved without ever touching water ~Luke 23:43. Paul even said, “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel” ~1 Corinthians 1:17. If baptism were part of salvation itself, that statement would make no sense.

What happens when someone makes baptism the saving act is that they’ve replaced faith in Christ with trust in their own performance. It’s human nature to want something tangible, something we can do, but salvation isn’t about what we do, it’s about what Christ already did. “It is finished” ~John 19:30.

Salvation is a matter of the heart, not the hands. Baptism is obedience after faith, not the cause of it. To add baptism as a requirement is to say Jesus’ blood wasn’t enough, but Scripture says otherwise: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” ~1 John 1:7.

That’s the difference between faith that saves and ritual that deceives. Baptism declares what Christ has already done; it doesn’t make Him do it. The water testifies, but the blood redeems.

Are you a Catholic?

Here's 1 Peter 3:21 (I'll let the scripture speak for itself)

21The 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 toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Yes, belief is first as you cited with the Ethiopian eunuch.

Read a bit further inb1 Cor to 3:6. Paul was tge preacher, Apollos apparently did the baptizing, and God did the rest

6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

The thief was forgiven by Christ as he forgave others while alive, under the OT! Baptism wasn't a requirement of salvation until Christ died, at which poitgd NT began. Read Hebrews 9:16-17

16For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

It's a false argument trying to relate the thief on the cross with baptism.

The bible makes baptism ONE of the saving acts, not people. I'm not making it a saving act, it isn't, in and of itself; BUT, it is a requirement of salvation as the scriptures very clearly state. Belief and faith, confession of belief, repentance, AND, immersion in water, baptism into Christ for the remission of sins.

And no, I'm not dumb enough to be a catholic. I'm a Christian.

 

[mailmandan]

So, Ephesians is wrong? And the correct translation is "in one Spirit", not "by one Spirit", according to the original Greek.

Ephesians is right. Numerous translations say, "by one Spirit". Whether "by" one Spirit or "in" one Spirit, the Holy Spirit is the agent or element through which this baptism occurs. Both phrases point to the Holy Spirit uniting all believers into the body of Christ. So, both "by" and "in" are two valid interpretations of the same Greek preposition.

 

[DJT_47]

you must be kidding right .
T HERE IT IS yet again . OH that was back then , NOT TODAY .
how often when a man gets proved the truth
he will fall back onto a mindset of men that says , OH that no longer applies
or that was then . Wanna know what this sheep says
LETS NOT TWIST and OMIT SCRIPTURES of TRUTH but rather BELIEVE what was written .
But as i have long said
men gonna do exactly what they have loved and desired to do and to beleive .
but sheep gonna do what JESUS bids them to do and they gonna read and BELIEVE THE TRUTH
and not try and twist and or omit it .

I'll let the scriptures do the teaching and speaking. Follow them closely as I've stated as regarding the baptism of the Holy Ghost, from John the Baptist, to Jesus in in Luke 24:49, to Acts 2.

 

[Marvelloustime]

you must be kidding right .
T HERE IT IS yet again . OH that was back then , NOT TODAY .
how often when a man gets proved the truth
he will fall back onto a mindset of men that says , OH that no longer applies
or that was then . Wanna know what this sheep says
LETS NOT TWIST and OMIT SCRIPTURES of TRUTH but rather BELIEVE what was written .
But as i have long said
men gonna do exactly what they have loved and desired to do and to beleive .
but sheep gonna do what JESUS bids them to do and they gonna read and BELIEVE THE TRUTH
and not try and twist and or omit it .

@amigo de christo

 

[DJT_47]

Ephesians is right. Numerous translations say, "by one Spirit". Whether "by" one Spirit or "in" one Spirit, the Holy Spirit is the agent or element through which this baptism occurs. Both phrases point to the Holy Spirit uniting all believers into the body of Christ. So, both "by" and "in" are two valid interpretations of the same Greek preposition.

Yes, Ephesians is right. ONE Baptism. And in one Spirit, per the original Greek, is different than by one Spirit. We're baptized INto Christ and are united with him thereby. There is no other way to become part of the body of Christ other than by baptism into it.

 

[amigo de christo]

Never let a harlot bathe you in her water . If any desires to be water baptized
find a god fearing man and not a harlot .

 

[mailmandan]

Yes, Ephesians is right. ONE Baptism. And in one Spirit, per the original Greek, is different than by one Spirit. We're baptized INto Christ and are united with him thereby. There is no other way to become part of the body of Christ other than by baptism into it.

If it's so different then why do so many translations say BY?

CEB We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, or slave or free, and we all were given one Spirit to drink.

CJB For it was by one Spirit that we were all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free; and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

CSB For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

HCSB For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

KJV 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.

NKJV For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

NASB For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

NASB1995 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

RSV For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

These two translations are interesting.

AMPC For by [means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit.

DARBY For also in [the power of] one Spirit *we* have all been baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit.

So, regardless this still pertains to Spirit baptism and not water baptism.

 

[DJT_47]

If it's so different then why do so many translations say BY?

CEB We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, or slave or free, and we all were given one Spirit to drink.

CJB For it was by one Spirit that we were all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free; and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

CSB For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

HCSB For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

KJV 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.

NKJV For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

NASB For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

NASB1995 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

RSV For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

These two translations are interesting.

AMPC For by [means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit.

DARBY For also in [the power of] one Spirit *we* have all been baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit.

So, regardless this still pertains to Spirit baptism and not water baptism.

Some translations do get it right though. I like the kjv, but I don't rely solely on it. How'd the kjv get Easter so wrong? Don't know, but they did. It ain't Easter as only the kjv translates pascha (passover) as. How? Bias.

And God doesn't do any baptizing, which "by the Spirit" infers. Man does the baptizing, God fies the saving by his grace.

 

[mailmandan]

Some translations do get it right though. I like yhe kjv, but I don't rely solely on it. How'd the kjv get Easter so wrong? Don't know, but they did. It ain't Easter as only the kjv translates pascha (passover) as. How? Bias.

And God doesn't do any baptizing, which "by the Spirit" infers. Man does the baptizing, God fies the saving by his grace.

I see through your little charade in your efforts to discredit Spirit baptism and turn this "one" baptism into water baptism in order to support your water gospel. Matthew 3:11 - As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. These are two distinct baptisms. Man, water baptizes but only God has the power to baptize believers (whether by or in) one Spirit into one body, the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

 

[DJT_47]

I see through your little charade in your efforts to discredit Spirit baptism and turn this "one" baptism into water baptism in order to support your water gospel. Matthew 3:11 - As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. These are two distinct baptisms. Man, water baptizes but only God has the power to baptize believers (whether by or in) one Spirit into one body, the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

But that happened. As i stated before starting with John, to Jesus promise to the 11 (them not us) in Luke 24:49, which was fulfilled in Acts 2 upon the 11 apostles upon which the Holy Ghost fell and they spoke in other tongues. That power from on high (Luke 24:49) bestowed upon THEM, enabled THEM to allow the Spirit to be manifested (tge gifts of the Spirit) through the laying on of their hands. That all ended with their deaths.

 

[bdavidc]

The bible makes baptism ONE of the saving acts, not people. I'm not making it a saving act, it isn't, in and of itself; BUT, it is a requirement of salvation as the scriptures very clearly state. Belief and faith, confession of belief, repentance, AND, immersion in water, baptism into Christ for the remission of sins.

You’re making salvation complicated when God made it simple. The Bible says we’re saved by believing in Jesus, not by doing something with water. Peter wasn’t saying the act of baptism saves you, he clearly said it’s not about washing dirt off your body. It’s about having a clean heart before God through faith in Christ’s resurrection ~1 Peter 3:21.

If water could save, Jesus wouldn’t have had to die. His blood, not the water, takes away sin ~1 John 1:7. Baptism is something believers do after they’re saved to show their faith, not to get saved. The thief on the cross believed and went straight to heaven without touching water ~Luke 23:43.

Paul even said, “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel” ~1 Corinthians 1:17. If baptism were required for salvation, that statement would make no sense. God saves by faith, not ceremony. You can get wet a hundred times and still be lost if you don’t believe the gospel.

Jesus finished the work on the cross ~John 19:30. You don’t add to finished work. You believe it. That’s salvation. Everything else—baptism, repentance, confession—is what saved people do because they already believe.

 

[rwb]

How is one baptized with the Holy Spirit according to scripture? What is the process? Where are the biblical examples and where does it say what we must to to be "baptized with the Holy Spirit"? Does it just happen all of a sudden for no reason and when? Does it somehow magically happen to everyone? When? How, according to the biblical records?

Through hearing the gospel preached! We must first hear the message about Christ, to trust in Christ, afterward we believe being sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:12-14 (KJV) That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

We cannot call upon the Lord without believing in Him, and we will not believe in Him if we have not heard. That's why Christ gave His Church the gifts of messengers (preacher, teacher, evangelist) that we might hear the message about Christ, the gospel because faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Ephesians 4:8-11 (KJV) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Romans 10:14-16 (KJV) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 1:16-17 (KJV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Once we have heard the gospel of the Kingdom of God through Jesus proclaimed through the power of the Spirit, we have entered the Kingdom of God. None can be saved and enter the Kingdom of God apart from the Spirit of God being in us. Because it is the spirit that gives life (both physical & spiritual) and the flesh profits nothing! The power to believe the gospel of the Kingdom of God (receive Christ) comes from Christ's Spirit giving us power to become sons of God, which are born again through His Spirit, not by works of the flesh (water baptism), or by the will of man, but of God ALONE!

John 3:3 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:5-8 (KJV) 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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 6:63-64 (KJV) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

John 1:12-13 (KJV) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 

[DJT_47]

You’re making salvation complicated when God made it simple. The Bible says we’re saved by believing in Jesus, not by doing something with water. Peter wasn’t saying the act of baptism saves you, he clearly said it’s not about washing dirt off your body. It’s about having a clean heart before God through faith in Christ’s resurrection ~1 Peter 3:21.

If water could save, Jesus wouldn’t have had to die. His blood, not the water, takes away sin ~1 John 1:7. Baptism is something believers do after they’re saved to show their faith, not to get saved. The thief on the cross believed and went straight to heaven without touching water ~Luke 23:43.

Paul even said, “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel” ~1 Corinthians 1:17. If baptism were required for salvation, that statement would make no sense. God saves by faith, not ceremony. You can get wet a hundred times and still be lost if you don’t believe the gospel.

Jesus finished the work on the cross ~John 19:30. You don’t add to finished work. You believe it. That’s salvation. Everything else—baptism, repentance, confession—is what saved people do because they already believe.

You know, baptism accomplishes more than just the remission of sins. By baptism you're also added to the body of Christ, the church. It's the only way to become a member of the body of Christ, by being baptized into Christ.

Romans 6:3-11

3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore 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. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

[GRACE ambassador]

Precious friends, of course The Word Of God, Rightly Divided should "solve" all the Confusion, eh?:

Three Bible Baptisms:

In God's Context Of Prophecy/Covenants/Law for Israel, Previously!:

►►► The Twelve Were Sent to {water} baptize! ◄◄◄

The Two Main ( of 12 ) baptisms [ available upon request ]

A) water, For remission of sins/induction into Israeli "priesthood!":
(Matthew 3:5-6; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; John 1:31; Luke 7:29-30; Acts 10:37)
(Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 22:16; Ezekiel 36:25; Isaiah 52:15 AV)
+
B) WITH The Holy Spirit, Poured Out By CHRIST, for power, signs And wonders!
(Isaiah 44:3; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8, 16:17-18;
Luke 24:49; Acts 2:17-18, 38, 8:15-17, 11:16 AV)

Prophecy / Covenants / Law for twelve tribes of Israel!

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15 AV) From “Things That Differ!” (online):

In God's Other Distinctive Context Of Mystery / Grace! (Romans - Philemon AV) =

our "One apostle to the Gentiles" for The One Body Of CHRIST, Today!:

►►► Paul Was Not Sent to {water} baptize! Why Not?: ◄◄◄

Today:

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)

Conclusion: God's One [ Spiritual ] Baptism Today? = ONE

Or, Equals two? = water problem with God's Math! Correct?
----------------------------------
This has also been Very Helpful:

Water That Divides!!

Please Be Very Richly Encouraged And Edified
In Christ, and In His Precious Word Of Truth!

Amen.