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Elementary Principles - Part 4 “The Doctrine of Baptisms”
March 31, 2019 Elementary Principles - Part 4
“The Doctrine of Baptisms”
By Derek Long
An aspect of the “elementary principles of Christ” mentioned
in Hebrews 6:1-2 is “the doctrine of baptisms.” One may hear many different things regarding baptism in the religious world around us. It is important we are grounded in a knowledge of the truth regarding what the Bible says about baptisms lest we be “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:13-14). What sort of things might be included in the doctrine of baptisms?
Hebrews 6:2 may catch the attention of some because it speaks of “baptisms” instead of “baptism.” God’s word does mention several different baptisms though. Let’s examine each of these in more detail.
The Bible speaks about the Israelites crossing the Red Sea as, “all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:2). They were leaving behind Egypt, a land of bondage, and were heading toward Canaan, a land of promise. On their way, they were baptized. Paul is using this to show how even though a person may be baptized he needs to “take heed lest he
fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). Today, people are not baptized into Moses in the cloud and the sea. This particular “baptism” only took place one time in the history of men.
The Bible also refers to a baptism Jesus was distressed about undergoing. Luke 12:50 records Jesus saying, “But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!” Jesus appears to be speaking of the great suffering He was about to undergo in His crucifixion. Jesus would be baptized or immersed as it were in suffering. The Bible also speaks of a baptism of John. Matthew 3:5-6 says, “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.” Apollos will later be teaching in Ephesus but, “he knew only the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25). John’s baptism was clearly something God expected people to receive at one time. Luke 7:29-30 says, “And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.” People who rejected John’s baptism were rejecting the will of God for them. However, after the death of Jesus, we find people who were baptized into John’s baptism had to be baptized, “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:1-5). John’s baptism was valid for a period of time but is no longer the baptism we practice today.
The Bible will speak of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist spoke of Jesus as the One who would baptized “with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11). Jesus promised to pour out the Holy Spirit upon the twelve apostles (Acts 1:2-8). The Holy Spirit is poured out on the apostles on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).
Holy Spirit baptism enabled the apostles to have signs and wonders to verify the message they were preaching, etc. The household of Cornelius also was baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-46; 11:15-18). The point of Cornelius’ household being baptized with the Holy Spirit was to confirm, “God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” Holy Spirit baptism is never said to be the baptism which saves a person. Holy Spirit baptism did not remove the need to be baptized in water (Acts 10:46-48). Holy Spirit baptism was a promise to be received by certain people not a command to be obeyed.
The Bible also speaks of Jesus administering a baptism of fire (Matthew 3:11). The fire He will baptize people with will be “unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12). Jesus will cast certain people into the unquenchable fire of hell (Mark 9:43-48). No one should want to be baptized in hell fire.
The other baptism mentioned in the Bible is one which is connected with salvation. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Peter told those on the day of Pentecost
they needed to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Peter spoke of baptism as that which now saves us (1 Peter 3:21). The baptism connected with salvation is baptism in water. As Noah and his family were saved by water, we too are saved by baptism in water (1 Peter 3:20-21). The Ethiopian treasurer was baptized in water (Acts 8:36-39). Cornelius and his household were baptized in water (Acts 10:46-48). The baptism connected with salvation is an immersion in water because we are buried in baptism (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-12). The baptism connected with salvation precedes one being saved from their past sins. Acts 22:16 points out one’s sins have not been washed away until they have arisen and been baptized.
Have you been baptized with the “one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5) which is valid today? Have you had your sins washed away by contacting the blood of Jesus in the waters of baptism (Romans 6:3-4)? If you have not, “why are you waiting?” (Acts 22:16).
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