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Six New Testament Baptisms
by: Dalton Gilreath

I.              Introduction

A.   There is one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God (Eph 4:3-6)

                                          i.    I suppose Satan has convinced many in the religious world that there are more than one of each of these

                                        ii.    Certainly this would be true of one faith, body (church), and baptism

B.   We want to focus upon the one baptism this morning

                                          i.    There are at least six different baptisms discussed in the New Testament

                                        ii.    How can we be sure which baptism is the one discussed here by Paul?

II.            Baptism of John

A.   Matthew 3:1-6

                                          i.    John’s baptism was during the life of Christ prior to His death and resurrection

                                        ii.    It was ordained by God and administered by John

1.    Notice it was a baptism involving confession

2.    It also involved repentance and remission of sin (Mark 1:4)

                                       iii.    To reject the baptism of John was to reject God’s will (Luke 7:29-30)

1.    Consider how similar this was to great commission baptism

2.    Would we not be rejecting His Will to avoid our baptism?

B.   However this baptism become invalid after Christ established the church and instituted great commission baptism (Acts 2)

                                          i.    Remember the twelve in Ephesus who received John’s baptism (Acts 19:3-5)

                                        ii.    They had to be baptized “again” with the appropriate understanding

                                       iii.    Therefore, the reason for one’s baptism is critical

III.           Baptism of Christ

A.   Matthew 3:13-15

                                          i.    Christ’s baptism was a shock to John the baptizer

1.    John believed Jesus should have been baptizing him

2.    Why would John have this reaction?

                                        ii.    Again, the baptism John knew was for the remission of sins

1.    Christ had no sin (Heb 4:15)

2.    Christ explained to John that this baptism was only for “now”

3.    This was a onetime baptism only Christ could experience to fulfill all righteousness

B.   Acts 2:38

                                          i.    Our baptism is for the remissions of sins as well

                                        ii.    Some say it means “because of” the remission of sins instead of “in order to receive”

                                       iii.    They argue that we are baptized because we are already saved

1.    If this were true what would John’s reaction have been to our Lord?

2.    He would have said He was the perfect candidate having no sin at all

3.    But that wasn’t his reaction

IV.          Baptism of Suffering

A.   Matthew 20:20-23

                                          i.    James and John’s mother have a special request

                                        ii.    Jesus asks them if they must endure the baptism of He must experience

1.    They did not understand and said they could do so

2.    Jesus was referencing an immersion of suffering He would endure on the cross

B.   Interestingly, He told them they would endure this baptism

                                          i.    James did so at the hands of Herod (Acts 12:2)

                                        ii.    John did so as he was exiled to Patmos (Rev 1:9)

V.           Baptism of Spirit and Fire

A.   Matthew 3:11-12

                                          i.    John references the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire

1.    First, the fire is not the cloven tongues found in Acts 2

2.    Verse twelve shows we are discussing Hell

                                        ii.    These are two different baptisms and are contrary to one another

1.    Notice Jesus did not mention fire when speaking to the apostles (Acts 1:5)

2.    John was talking to wicked Pharisees and Sadducees who were in danger of immersion in fire eternally

B.   The baptism of the Spirit is the commonly argued one baptism of Ephesians in the denominational world

                                          i.     Recall that Spirit baptism was a promise and not a command (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, 2:33)

                                        ii.    How do you “do” Spirit baptism? How would you obey it?

1.    It was never a command

2.    It was only a promise

VI.          Great Commission Baptism

A.   Matthew 28:18-20

                                          i.    This is the baptism Jesus instituted before ascending to the Father

                                        ii.    This is the baptism He taught would save our souls (Mark 16:16)

                                       iii.    This is the baptism Paul experienced for the remission of sin (Acts 22:16)

1.    Notice the saving baptism can be confused with taking a bath (1 Peter 3:21)

2.    Only water baptism would fit that description

B.   How can we be sure this is the one baptism of Ephesians?

                                          i.    It is the only one relevant today

1.    John’s baptism ended (Acts 19:1-6)

2.    Jesus’ baptism was only for a sinless soul

3.    The baptism of suffering has no connection to salvation

4.    The baptism of the Spirit was a promise for the 1st century

5.    The baptism of fire is Hell

                                        ii.    That leaves great commission baptism as the one baptism that saves our souls today

1.    Have you experienced this baptism for the remission of sins?

2.    If you believe in Jesus, will confess His name, and repent of sin then you are eligible right now