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QUESTION 22:
If there are more then one baptism, why would it say in Ephesians 4:5 only one baptism?

ANSWER:
A casual reading of the New Testament will reveal to us that there are several baptisms. For examples; there is water baptism (Matthew 3:17); baptism into His death, Romans 6:3; in the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:13; in sufferings, Matthew 20:22; of fire, Matthew 3:11, and others) When a statement like Ephesians 4:5 appears we must understand in what context is it found. What is the Chapter talking about? Here are the surrounding verses; 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;4:5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. As you can see there are seven ones here that speaking of unity that believers are told to keep in 4:3. The Book of Ephesians speaks of the one new body of Jews and Gentiles as the Church that Christ said that He would build. The first of these seven makes that clear. If the one baptism was given in connection with salvation it would mean water baptism. It is was given in connect with persecution it would mean a baptism of suffering, but since it is given in the context of the one body then is necessarily means the baptism in the Spirit and into the body of Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptised into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 There are three things the Spirit does when a person repents and trusts Christ as Saviour.

1. We are born OF the Spirit. John 3:5
2. We are Baptised IN the Spirit and into the body of Christ. Romans 6:3 and 1 Corinthians 12:13.
3. We are sealed WITH the Spirit Ephesians 1:13

So the “one baptism” seems to mean that all those that trust Christ are baptised in the Spirit that forms the body of Christ, the church.

Are you in that body of people who have repented of their sins and been washed in the blood of Christ? Only born again believers are saved. Have you repented and been saved yet? This is the most important thing in your life. Tomorrow you could be in torments in hell (hades) Luke 16:23.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen