The three things that let me know that water baptism has ended are these:
#1. Hebrews 9:10 says, “Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers
washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” The word “
washings” is the Greek word “
baptismos” (βαπτισμός) (Check out
here for the Strong’s definition). In other words, Hebrews 9:10 is saying that diverse baptisms (washings) were imposed on believers until the time of reformation. Meaning, water baptism will give way or pass away until the time of reformation (Which means that Spirit baptism is now the one and only true baptism for today).
The Hebrew writer is not referring at all, to Christian baptisms, but the ritual baptisms (washings) of the Old Law.
#2. 1 Corinthians 1:17 says, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” If water baptism is what places us into Christ, then why is Paul teaching against it here? This must mean that the true baptism is Spirit baptism and that the baptism that Paul was not sent by Christ to put forth was water baptism. For the apostles were commissioned to baptize in Matthew 28:19, and yet, Paul was an apostle.
Paul is not teaching “against” baptism at all, but against the Corinthians forming little clicks around their baptizer:
1Cor. 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there
be no divisions among you, but that you be
perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says,
“I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Paul did not say he did wrong by baptizing people in Corinth, since he did personally baptize some.
He gives us the reason very plainly, why he was glad he did not personally baptize more: 15 “so no one can say that you were baptized in my name.”
#3. John the Baptist said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” (Matthew 3:11). This is why Jesus did not water baptize anyone. The way Jesus' baptizes is by Spirit baptism. Jesus stated: “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts of the Apostles 1:5).
Jesus never said exactly why He personally did not baptize anyone, but it certainly could be for the same reason Paul was glad he did not baptize more in Corinth:
People would have thought they were greater Christians since Christ personally baptized them.
Side Note: This baptism of the Holy Ghost took place at Pentecost for the Jewish believers (See: Acts of the Apostles 2), and it happened for the Gentiles with Cornelius and his family in Acts 10 (Also see: Acts 11 about Peter’s recollection of this event; For Peter recalls the words of Jesus in Acts of the Apostles 1:5 when Cornelius and his family experienced the baptism of the Spirit after the gospel was preached to them) (Note: In Acts 10-11: I believe Peter was just first learning of the baptism of the Spirit and he did not know yet that water baptism had ended at this point in his life). If water baptism was necessary to receive the Spirit, then the Spirit would wait until Peter water baptized them. But the Holy Spirit came upon them without any water baptism. Thus, this is the true baptism. This is the one baptism of Ephesians 4:5. It is the baptism of the Holy Spirit (i.e. the transformation of the heart, and the receiving of the Hoy Spirit).
It is one thing for Peter and the others at the time to think Jesus was coming back soon which they could do nothing about, but to miss understand water baptism and teach an practice water baptism would be hugely wrong, if it was not right.
As far as baptism coming before water baptism that is totally up to the Spirit/God/Christ and Peter was not Spirit baptizing Cornelius, but did water baptize Cornelius. Again, we are told to baptize which would have to mean water baptism, since like with Cornelius the Spirit does the Baptism of the Spirit.