So this foundation may get a little push back because it might challenge some of your preconceived ideas about baptism. I know it blew my mind when it was first pointed out to me years ago. Then I did what every single one of you should do when reading any of our posts, or listening to any sermon, go back to the bible! Friends, if it is not in the bible, then it is not in fact a basis to live by.
Ok, this is a foundation that is listed in our key scripture Hebrew 6:1-2
Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment
I would like to take a second and remind you, Paul is writing this particular letter to the Hebrews. He has been reminding/informing them that Christ is supreme. Christ is better than the old testament law, he is better than Moses, he is better than angels. He also lets them know that they need to have a fear of the Lord and that there is no other way to be saved other than the blood of Christ. This leads us into chapter 6, where Paul begins to tell them to grow up. To move beyond the foundational teachings and grow in their faith. In order to grow beyond something, you need to actually know what it is, and know it well! That is why we are writing this series. So you can understand the foundations of our Christian faith and begin to grow beyond that and start to teach others.
BAPTISMS
That is our next foundation. Yes, there are more than one baptisms written about in the bible. Were going to start with the one scripture that will get everyone flared up over my last statement, Ephesians 4:5.
one Lord, one faith, one baptism
I am not actually contradicting the word of God when I say there are multiple baptisms. There are multiple baptisms, but only one of those actually saves. The baptism into the body of Christ. This is not the baptism in water that so many think it is.
Let me pause for a moment and tell you what baptisms we are going to talk about today. The baptism into the body of Christ, water baptism, and the baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire. 3 different baptisms have a HUGE impact on the life of every Christian. Again, I will be adding many scriptures, and I encourage you to go and study them out for yourself.
- The baptism into the body of Christ.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10
This is the baptism into the body of Christ. The one baptism that Ephesians 4:5 is talking about and the one that actually saves you. This scripture so clearly lays out that it is with your heart that you believe in what Christ did, and are justified. Your belief leads you to confess it, or agree with it, with your mouth, and are saved. It could not be any plainer, but let’s pull up more scripture just to make sure.
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Romans 6:3-7
We are baptized into Christ Jesus. Died to our sins, and raised from the dead with Him! What an incredible truth. When we believe in Christ, and say it out loud with our mouth, we are saved and baptized into Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 12:13 tells us that we are baptized into one body through the Spirit. It is by the spirit that we are baptized, fully emersed into the body of Christ. Romans 1:16 we are not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power that leads to salvation for all those who believe in it. Again, your belief is what saves you.
2. Water Baptism.
Water baptism is the outward symbol of your inward belief. It is a figure of what has taken place in your heart.
And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from[a] a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 3:21
You are not saved by going under the water, you are walking in obedience to the Lord and showing the world in an outward symbol that you are saved. This also helps give your mind and spirit a point of contact for your faith. to say ‘Lord as I go down I know the old me is dead and as I rise I am a new creation in Christ Jesus.” The bible says that if you truly love Christ you will obey his word (John 14:15.) Well, his word says to repent and be baptized! (Acts 2:38)
Mark 16:16 says that all who believe and are baptized shall be saved, but he that does not believe shall be damned. If baptism was what saves you, then why is it that unbelief alone can disqualify you? You can be baptized and not actually saved. You can also be saved and not given the chance to be baptized. I do not believe anyone should be denied, or not taught, the important step of water baptism.
The answer to your belief in Christ and the preaching of the gospel should always be baptism. If the gospel is being taught and preached in its entirety and not diluted then it’s impossible to miss the importance of water baptism. here are just a few examples:
Acts 8:12-17 Phillip went to Samaria preaching the kingdom of heaven, and the name of Jesus, and men and women believed and were baptized.
Acts 8:35-38 The Ethiopian Eunuch believed and then wanted to be baptized in water.
Acts 9:18 The conversion of Saul to Paul. He came to a belief in Christ and when Ananias came and laid hands on him he could see again and was baptized in the Holy Ghost. Then he was baptized in water.
Acts 10:47-48 Peter was sent to Cornelius’ house to preach to gentiles. The household believed, received the baptism in the Holy Ghost, and then wanted to be baptized in water.
Acts 16:15 Paul and Silas, joined by Timothy, went to Phillipi and were out praying when they started talking about Jesus. A woman named Lydia heard and believed along with her entire household. Likely close to 10 family units. She was a businesswoman and had many people under her. They all believed and then were baptized.
Water baptism is not something that can be lightly esteemed. It is a big deal. It is not however what actually saves you. Your belief and confession are what do that.
3. The Holy Spirit and Fire.
This baptism has two parts or functions. They should always be accompanied by the other but many, because of lack of teaching or unbelief, do not receive these.
“I baptize with[a] water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.[b]
Matthew 3:11
The baptism with the Holy Spirit and with FIRE is so huge for the believer. The fire burns out the impurities, the lingering demons that think they have a right to torment your life. The Fire gives you a passion for the things of God that is supernatural. The baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is to give you a tool to build yourself up in the faith. To strengthen your spirit man. This post is not specifically about speaking in tongues, but I will be doing one soon because it is that important.
The bible spoke many times about how Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. Matt 3:11, Mark 1:8, 10:38-39, John 1:33, 7:37-39, Acts 1:5, 11:16, 19:2-3.
Matt 20:22-23 Jesus tells the disciples that he is baptized with a different baptism. But they all have been baptized in water, so he clearly is referring to a different baptism than that. The baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:5 he tells them that they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. And they do receive it, in Acts 2. They were all together, in one place, and in unity. They were all on the same page. The Holy Spirit came down like a rushing mighty wind filling not only them but the house they were in. It looked like each person had his own tongue of fire that sat upon them. They were filled and started to speak in tongues.
Luke 3:16-17 John talks a little bit more about the fire. He tells them that he baptized with water, but Jesus will come and baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand and he will use the fire to clear out the threshing floor. He will gather together the good but burn in the flame all that doesn’t belong. This must happen. We need to be refined like gold, and all the impurities are taken out of us. Because on that great day of His return we will stand before the Lord and give an account of our lives. I do not want anything in my life that might hinder my reception and treasure in Heaven.
Acts 10:44-48 The Holy Spirit baptism was not only for the 120 in the upper room. When Peter was preaching at Cornelius’ house, all of those that were there were filled with the Holy Spirit. This was known because they started speaking in tongues and glorifying God. This, along with other scriptures, shows that the Spirit baptism can be received at the time of conversion. Also the case with Paul Acts 9:17-18. It can also be received after. (Acts 8:12-23, 19:1-7.) There is no time limit. The believers at Pentecost were long saved when they received. It can be received before, or after water baptism. Jesus received it after and others before.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift given to you from your Heavenly father. It is not something you have to be approved for. You don’t have to complete a checklist of requirements before you can receive it. It is freely given.
So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
Luke 11:13
The gift of salvation and of the Holy Spirit is given freely when you choose Him. Repent and be baptized. In ALL its forms!