Today’s Bible Study, Authored by Arthur
Cincotti. 07/30/2023
Listen to our Bible
Study Discussion at: The 5 Baptism in the Bible Podcast
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The 5 Baptisms in the Bible
“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…”Mt. 28:19
There are five baptisms
mentioned in the Bible; baptism in water, repentance, Holy Spirit, fire, and
suffering. Today we will look briefly at each in order to bring some clarity
and understanding to the subject of baptism.
The word in Greek is
“baptizo” which means: immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i. e. fully wet);
can also be translated “wash”.
The word is only found in the
New Testament, but as we will see, conceptually it is evident in the Old
Testament in the form of several typologies.
Water Baptism
Water baptism is perhaps the most controversial because some
insist that baptism is a requirement for salvation, sighting the above verse
(Mt. 28:19) and I Pet. 3:21, and Acts 2:38.
Suffice to say…just get
baptized!
It is difficult to say how
water baptism came into being. As far as we know from the Scriptures John the
Baptist was first recorded to practice this rite. There were, however, some
ceremonial washing and cleansing rites in Judaism that it may have come from.
The early church typically
practiced baptism very shortly after a confession of faith; the Ethiopian
eunuch (Acts 8:36) and Cornelius (Acts 10:47)
Though we don’t see the practice of water baptism in the OT,
we do see much in the way of typology. Creation is baptized out of water in
Gen. 1:2,3; mankind is rescued from the great flood in Gen. 7&8, the
passing through the Red Sea in Ex. 14 and the crossing of the Jordan in Joshua
3. Also, in Lev. 8:21 it was necessary that the offering be washed with water
before being burnt. Hmmmm!
Baptism of Repentance:
Is often associated with water baptism because it is
associated with John; “John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mk.1:14
Heb. 6:1 calls them, “repentance
from dead works”. John says, in Mt. 3:8, and Lk. 3:8, “Produce fruit in
keeping with repentance.”
We understand, and often
emphasize that repentance is a very important aspect of our new life in Christ.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit:
So much to say. Let’s begin by looking at Acts 1:5 where
Jesus says, “you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit…” Shortly
following, in Acts 2, the promise of this event takes place. Later, in Acts
10:44, we see Cornelius and his whole household baptized in the Holy Spirit
before they were even baptized in water.
Some segments of the church
insist that when salvation comes it’s a full package deal with the Holy Spirit
included. I believe that Acts 19:2-6 refutes that teaching. Consider the full
immersion of the Holy Spirit and its consequences, when He takes up residence.
Suffice to say, the Holy
Spirit is a gift, (Acts 10:45) and Paul says, “earnestly desire the best
gifts.” I Cor. 12:31
Baptism of Fire:
Although this could be associated with the “tongues, as
of fire…” which appeared on the disciples in Acts 2:3, I believe that it is
better intended to mean a refining fire. It was John the Baptist who said, “He
will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Mt. 3:11 and Lk. 3:16.
Peter gives greater clarity on this when he says, “the genuineness of your
faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by
fire.” I Pt. 1:7. We may also consider I Cor. 3:15, “If anyone’s work is
burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through
fire.”
When the metallurgist refines
gold, they turn up the heat to bring up the dross. Then they scoop off the
dross, and when he can see his face in the reflection of the gold, he knows
that it is pure.
Baptism of Suffering:
This is the one everyone
desires!!!
This is only translated in
the NLT; Mk. 10:38, 39; and Lk. 12:50
In each instance Jesus is
speaking of His impending suffering on the cross. Praise be to God that we will
never have to endure that degree of suffering. But suffering, similar to the
baptism with fire, is a necessary dynamic that forms us into Christ’s likeness.
Rom. 8:16 says, “The
Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and
if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed
we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
Heb. 12:7 “If you endure
chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a
father does not chasten?”
As believers we should
embrace the full immersion of our engagement with Christ since He is fully
committed to us. Some forms of baptism are an outward expression of our inner
conviction, such as water baptism. Others, as we have seen in Scripture are a
transcendent force that comes upon a believer at the kiros moment of God’s
sovereign timing and our openness to receive. Still others are part and parcel
of our life journey. How we navigate them will determine much.
Paul encourages us, “Finally,
my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Eph.
6:10
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