2. I. Baptism Is a Bible Subject.
A. Baptism is mentioned more than 100 times in the New Testament.
1. The words “baptism,” “Baptist,” “baptize,” “baptizes,” “baptized” and “baptizing” are
found 115 times in 91 verses in the New Testament.
2. There are additional passages on baptism that do not use a “bapt-” root word.
B. Baptism is a vitally important subject for us, for it comes from God Himself.
C. We must allow the Bible to speak on this vitally important subject, since:
1. The very concept of baptism comes from heaven and not from man (Matt. 21:25).
2. The authority of Christ (not man) commanded baptism (Matt. 28:18-20).
3. The Word of Christ (not man) will judge us in the end (John 12:48).
3. II. It Is Essential to Define Terms in the Way That the
Bible Defines Terms.
A. English dictionaries define words as they are commonly and currently used.
1. Dictionary.com defines “baptize”: “to immerse in water or sprinkle or pour water on.”
B. The Bible very plainly describes what is involved in Bible baptism:
1. “Much water” is required to be baptized with Bible baptism (John 3:23).
2. The person being baptized must come “to” the water (Matt. 3:13; Acts 8:36).
3. The person being baptized and the baptizer must go “down into the water” (Ac. 8:38).
4. The person being baptized must be “buried…in baptism” (Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:4).
5. The person being baptized must be “raised” from the water (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12).
6. The person being baptized must come “up out of the water” (Acts 8:39; Mark 1:10).
7. The Bible makes it very clear that baptism is immersion of the body into water.
4. II. It Is Essential to Define Terms in the Way That the
Bible Defines Terms.
C. The original Greek word for “baptize” is clearly defined by Greek scholars.
1. The verb “baptize” is from the Greek baptizo, which is defined as:
a. “dip, immerse”
b. “plunge, dip, wash”
c. “dip, immerse, submerge in water”
d. “consisting of the process of immersion, submersion and emergence”
e. “literally means ‘to put or go under water’”
2. English Bible translators merely transposed the letters of the Greek word into a new
English word, creating an English word (“baptize”) that is imprecise in its meaning.
6. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
A. The words “baptism,” “Baptist,” “baptize,” “baptizes,” “baptized” and
“baptizing” are found 115 times in 91 verses in the New Testament.
B. In these 91 verses, seven different baptisms are mentioned (cf. Heb. 6:2).
C. But, Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:5 that there was then only “one baptism.”
D. This is not a contradiction.
8. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
E. Which baptism, mentioned in the New Testament, is the “one baptism”?
1. It is not “the baptism of John.”
c. The baptism of John:
1) Was for the Jews only (Luke 1:16; Acts 13:24; Mark 1:2-3).
2) Was for a limited duration—to prepare for Christ’s first coming (John 3:26-30).
3) To point people to the Christ who would “come after” John (Acts 19:4).
4) Was not into the death of Jesus (cf. Rom. 6:3).
5) Was not “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:3-5).
d. When Apollos “knew only the baptism of John,” Aquila and Priscilla “took him aside and explained
to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:24-28).
e. When Paul found twelve men in Ephesus, who had been baptized “into John’s baptism,” he taught
them and “they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:1-7).
f. The “baptism of John” is not the “one baptism”
9. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
E. Which baptism, mentioned in the New Testament, is the “one baptism”?
2. It is not “the baptism of the Holy Spirit.”
Lk. 12:50 Ac. 8:36 Ac. 18:8 1Co. 1:15 1Pe. 3:21
Ac. 8:38 1Co. 1:16
Lk. 3:16 Ac. 9:18 1Co. 1:17
Mt. 3:11 Mt. 20:22 Ac. 1:5 1Co. 10:2
Mt. 20:23 Ac. 10:47 Ac. 19:5 1Co. 12:13
Mk. 10:38 Ac. 2:38 Ac. 10:48 Ac. 22:16 1Co. 15:29
Mt. 28:19 Mk. 10:39 Jn. 1:33 Ac. 2:41 Ac. 11:16 Ro. 6:3 Gal. 3:27
Ac. 8:12 Ro. 6:4 Eph. 4:5
Mk. 16:16 Ac. 8:13 Ac. 16:15 1Co. 1:13 Col. 2:12
Mk. 1:8 Ac. 8:16 Ac. 16:33 1Co. 1:14 Heb. 6:2
10. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
E. Which baptism, mentioned in the New Testament, is the “one baptism”?
2. It is not “the baptism of the Holy Spirit.”
b. The “baptism of the Holy Spirit” was foretold by the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-29; cf. Acts 2:16-18) and
by John the Baptist (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16).
c. The “baptism of the Holy Spirit” was promised by Jesus to the apostles (Acts 1:5; 11:16).
d. However, the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” is not the “one baptism” of New Testament Christianity,
for it differs in the following significant ways:
1) It was administered only by the Lord Himself, not man (Matt. 3:11; John 1:33).
2) It involved receiving a promise rather than obeying a command (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4).
3) It was designed to impart miraculous “power” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8) and to guide in the revealing
of all truth (John 16:13; Heb. 2:3-4).
4) It occurred on only two occasions in Scripture—when the first Jews were converted to Christ
(Acts 2) and when the first Gentiles were converted to Christ (Acts 10).
11. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
E. Which baptism, mentioned in the New Testament, is the “one baptism”?
3. It is not “the baptism of fire.”
Lk. 12:50 Ac. 8:36 Ac. 18:8 1Co. 1:15 1Pe. 3:21
Ac. 8:38 1Co. 1:16
Lk. 3:16 Ac. 9:18 1Co. 1:17
Mt. 3:11 Mt. 20:22 1Co. 10:2
Mt. 20:23 Ac. 10:47 Ac. 19:5 1Co. 12:13
Mk. 10:38 Ac. 2:38 Ac. 10:48 Ac. 22:16 1Co. 15:29
Mt. 28:19 Mk. 10:39 Ac. 2:41 Ro. 6:3 Gal. 3:27
Ac. 8:12 Ro. 6:4 Eph. 4:5
Mk. 16:16 Ac. 8:13 Ac. 16:15 1Co. 1:13 Col. 2:12
Ac. 8:16 Ac. 16:33 1Co. 1:14 Heb. 6:2
12. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
E. Which baptism, mentioned in the New Testament, is the “one baptism”?
3. It is not “the baptism of fire.”
b. The “baptism of fire” is a promise of the eternal judgment of God, when Jesus would immerse (the
meaning of “baptize”) people in fire.
c. Put Matthew 3:11 in context.
1) Verse 11 = Jesus would one day “baptize” with “fire.”
2) Verse 10 = Unfruitful trees would be “thrown into the fire” at the time of judgment.
3) Verse 12 = Jesus would “burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” at the time of judgment.
4) Thus, verse 11 (in context) has to do with the judgment of God.
d. “Baptism of fire” is the eternal fires of hell yet to come, when the unrighteous are immersed “into
the everlasting fire” (Matt. 25:41).
e. The “baptism of fire” is not the “one baptism” of New Testament Christianity.
13. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
E. Which baptism, mentioned in the New Testament, is the “one baptism”?
4. It is not “the baptism of sufferings.”
Lk. 12:50 Ac. 8:36 Ac. 18:8 1Co. 1:15 1Pe. 3:21
Ac. 8:38 1Co. 1:16
Ac. 9:18 1Co. 1:17
Mt. 20:22 1Co. 10:2
Mt. 20:23 Ac. 10:47 Ac. 19:5 1Co. 12:13
Mk. 10:38 Ac. 2:38 Ac. 10:48 Ac. 22:16 1Co. 15:29
Mt. 28:19 Mk. 10:39 Ac. 2:41 Ro. 6:3 Gal. 3:27
Ac. 8:12 Ro. 6:4 Eph. 4:5
Mk. 16:16 Ac. 8:13 Ac. 16:15 1Co. 1:13 Col. 2:12
Ac. 8:16 Ac. 16:33 1Co. 1:14 Heb. 6:2
14. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
E. Which baptism, mentioned in the New Testament, is the “one baptism”?
4. It is not “the baptism of sufferings.”
b. Jesus spoke about “drinking the cup” that He was about to drink and being “baptized with the
baptism” that he was about to be “baptized with” (Mark 10:38).
c. Jesus used the metaphor of “the cup” in other passages to describe the suffering that He was going
to endure on the cross (Matt. 26:42; John 18:10-11).
d. Since “the cup” and the “baptism” of Matthew 20:22-23 and Mark 10:38-39 are the same, and since
“the cup” in other passages was a cup of suffering, then the baptism of which Jesus spoke was a
baptism of suffering.
e. It was fulfilled in Christ’s death on the cross, when He was immersed in suffering.
f. Jesus’ disciples were also baptized in suffering, when immersed in persecution for following Christ.
g. The “baptism of suffering” is not the “one baptism.”
15. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
E. Which baptism, mentioned in the New Testament, is the “one baptism”?
5. It is not “the baptism for the dead.”
Ac. 8:36 Ac. 18:8 1Co. 1:15 1Pe. 3:21
Ac. 8:38 1Co. 1:16
Ac. 9:18 1Co. 1:17
1Co. 10:2
Ac. 10:47 Ac. 19:5 1Co. 12:13
Ac. 2:38 Ac. 10:48 Ac. 22:16 1Co. 15:29
Mt. 28:19 Ac. 2:41 Ro. 6:3 Gal. 3:27
Ac. 8:12 Ro. 6:4 Eph. 4:5
Mk. 16:16 Ac. 8:13 Ac. 16:15 1Co. 1:13 Col. 2:12
Ac. 8:16 Ac. 16:33 1Co. 1:14 Heb. 6:2
16. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
E. Which baptism, mentioned in the New Testament, is the “one baptism”?
5. It is not “the baptism for the dead.”
b. Possible reference to false teaching and practice of a baptism “on behalf of the dead.”
1) Pronoun “they” instead of “we” may point to a practice of others outside of the church.
2) It is clearly a false doctrine (Ezek. 18:20; 2 Cor. 5:10; Luke 16:26; Heb. 9:27).
3) Regardless, how fruitless if there was not going to be a resurrection from the dead anyway.
c. Possible reference to being baptized “with reference to” being reunited with ones already dead.
1) Perhaps those who had “fallen asleep in Christ” (1 Cor. 15:18, 23) were the ones in view.
2) Regardless, how fruitless if there is not going to be a resurrection from the dead anyway.
d. The “baptism for the dead” is not the “one baptism.”
17. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
E. Which baptism, mentioned in the New Testament, is the “one baptism”?
6. It is not “the baptism into Moses.”
Ac. 8:36 Ac. 18:8 1Co. 1:15 1Pe. 3:21
Ac. 8:38 1Co. 1:16
Ac. 9:18 1Co. 1:17
1Co. 10:2
Ac. 10:47 Ac. 19:5 1Co. 12:13
Ac. 2:38 Ac. 10:48 Ac. 22:16
Mt. 28:19 Ac. 2:41 Ro. 6:3 Gal. 3:27
Ac. 8:12 Ro. 6:4 Eph. 4:5
Mk. 16:16 Ac. 8:13 Ac. 16:15 1Co. 1:13 Col. 2:12
Ac. 8:16 Ac. 16:33 1Co. 1:14 Heb. 6:2
18. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
E. Which baptism, mentioned in the New Testament, is the “one baptism”?
6. It is not “the baptism into Moses.”
b. The “baptism into Moses” is a reference to the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 14.
c. The people were immersed in (surrounded by) water on every side—“in the cloud and in the sea.”
d. “Baptized into Moses” meant the people were devoting themselves to follow Moses’ leadership.
e. The Jews turned from Moses and were lost; the same could happen to Christians.
f. The “baptism into Moses” is not the “one baptism.”
19. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
F. Therefore, the “ONE baptism” is water baptism of Christ’s Great Commission.
1. The one baptism of Christ’s Great Commission is mentioned in the rest of the 91 verses:
Ac. 8:36 Ac. 18:8 1Co. 1:15 1Pe. 3:21
Ac. 8:38 1Co. 1:16
Ac. 9:18 1Co. 1:17
Ac. 10:47 Ac. 19:5 1Co. 12:13
Ac. 2:38 Ac. 10:48 Ac. 22:16
Mt. 28:19 Ac. 2:41 Ro. 6:3 Gal. 3:27
Ac. 8:12 Ro. 6:4 Eph. 4:5
Mk. 16:16 Ac. 8:13 Ac. 16:15 1Co. 1:13 Col. 2:12
Ac. 8:16 Ac. 16:33 1Co. 1:14
20. III. The Bible Specifies That There Is One Baptism.
F. Therefore, the “ONE baptism” is water baptism of Christ’s Great Commission.
1. The one baptism of Christ’s Great Commission is mentioned in the rest of the 91 verses.
2. It is the universal baptism for all mankind (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15).
3. It is the baptism that is commanded to be obeyed (Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:48).
4. It is the baptism administered by man (Matt. 28:19; Acts 8:38).
5. It is the baptism administered in water (Acts 8:36-39; 10:47; 1 Pet. 3:20-31).
6. It is the baptism done “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 2:38; 10:48; 19:5).
7. It is the baptism to be taught and practiced until the end of time (Matt. 28:19-20).
8. It is the baptism that is preceded by:
a. Belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of God (Mark 16:15-16; John 20:30-31).
b. Repentance from one’s personal sins and turning toward God (Acts 2:38; 17:30).
c. Confession of one’s faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37).
21. IV. Conclusion
A. Baptism is a vitally important subject to the God of heaven.
B. The Bible is the source of all we can know about God’s view of baptism.
C. No other inspired source of truth is available outside the Bible.
D. We must handle God’s teaching on baptism properly and accurately.
E. Baptism is tied to man’s relationship with God.
F. We cannot afford to be in error regarding the Bible doctrine of baptism.
G. What place does baptism have in our relationship with God?
H. The rest of the lessons will answer that question by examining each of the
passages about the “one baptism” of Christ’s Great Commission.
