Where In The Bible Will I Find:

The Many Different Types Of Baptisms?

There are six different types of baptisms found in the Bible. (1) All Israel was "baptized" unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea (I Cor. 10:2). (2) John the Baptist "baptized" in water unto repentance (Matt. 3:11,12). (3) The suffering of Jesus was referred to as "baptism" (Mark 10:29). (4) Holy Spirit "baptism" was a promise (Mark 1:9). (5) "Baptism" of fire (Luke 3:16). And (6) "baptism " that was commanded by Jesus (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:16). Four of these have passed on; one is yet to come, and one is still in effect today.

Almost thirty years after the establishment of the Lord's church, Paul informs us that there is ONE "baptism " (Eph. 4:5) For (1) the "baptism " of Israel was not for us, nor was it a command. (2) John's "baptism" ended at the cross and is no longer valid (Acts 19:1-7). (3) The "baptism" of suffering refers to the suffering of Christ. (4) Holy Spirit "baptism" was promised only to the apostles and to prove to the Jews that the gospel was also for the Gentiles (Acts 11:17). (5) "Baptism" of fire is reserved by God for the ungodly at the end of time (Matt. 3:12; Rev. 20:14). And (6) water "baptism" is a commandment of Christ and it is for ALL people under the gospel plan of salvation. Christ Himself, commanded, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…" (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16).

After the establishment of the church we find many cases of conversions to the church and in EVERY case we find the subject or subjects being baptized. Three thousand souls were baptized on the birthday of the church and were added by the Lord to His church (Acts 2). Philip preached Christ to the Samaritans, they believed and were baptized (Acts 9:12). The Ethiopian eunuch, on hearing the salvation of Christ, believed and was baptized in water (Acts 8:36-40). The household of Cornelius, seeing the power of the Holy Spirit as proof to Peter and the six Jews that accompanied him from Joppa to Caesarea (Acts 11:12, 18), and then hearing words from Peter (v. 14) believed and was commanded to be baptized in water (Acts 10:47, 48). Saul, later the apostle Paul, was commanded to, "be baptized, washing away thy sins" (Acts 22:16).

Paul preached to the Corinthians and they believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8). About twelve men were found at Ephesus who had been baptized with the baptism of John, a baptism no longer valid, was then baptized into the name of Christ (Acts 19:1-7). Therefore, since the establishment of the church of Christ on the day of Pentecost in the year 33 A.D., there has been, and there is now only ONE baptism commanded, and that ONE baptism is a complete immersion in water (Rom. 6:3-5). This saves us (by our obedience to Christ, I Pet. 3:21; Mark 16:16).

--Gary Colley