What is the “one baptism” mentioned in Ephesians 4:5? (I have an answer, but I would like input).

What is the one baptism mentioned in Ephesians 4:5?


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bling

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A person can appear to do good, but if they are not in obedience to God’s Word on a particular thing they think is good, then the good they do is not really counted in God’s eyes.
If a person feels it would be good for them to be water baptized, would you tell them they should not?
 
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bling

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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.
 
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bling

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Some Christian groups teach that baptism in water in the name of Jesus Christ is a totally different thing than being baptized in water by John. Yet, if this is the case, do we see anywhere in Scripture where others are asked to re-baptize in water again a second time? Some may suggest that this took place in Acts of the Apostles 19:1-7, but no water is mentioned there. Only the laying on of hands and the receiving of the Holy Ghost is mentioned in reference to baptism. In addition, Apollos in the previous chapter only knew of John the baptist's water baptism, too; And Aquila and Priscilla had to expound upon him the Word of God more perfectly (as a result) (See: Acts of the Apostles 18:24-26).
First off you have the numbers:

Everyone (the masses) accepted John’s baptism, yet Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

It should have said: “All those who had not been baptized by John’s baptism…”

It appears all those baptized of John did not receive the indwelling portion of the Holy Spirit, so when and how did they get it?

Acts 19: 1-7 said does teach being water baptized a second time.

Yes, Paul specifically did not say “water baptism” but he talked about John’s baptism, which we all know was water baptism. Paul did not mention Holy Spirit baptism at all.

Those who have a good knowledge of the Greek, know from the gender and sentence construction most of the time, what is referring to what. Acts 19: 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

These verses are not saying: “They were baptized when Paul placed his hands on them”, but there are two separate unrelated acts shown either divided by a conjunction or with the start of a new sentence (baptism and laying on of hands).

Also from the Greek the “they were baptized” is something “they” did, where if the Spirit did it to them it should say “and the Spirit baptized them”.
 
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bling

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The difficulty can be for some to accept this is resolving Pentecost. Why would God allow Peter to act imperfectly at the beginning of the church by telling them to be water baptized?

I believe that is because they needed to grow and learn. Like children need to grow and learn, the church was still in it's infancy and they needed to grow and learn the more perfect way of God. Paul was sent this more perfect way concerning baptism, and he would be the one to let the others know of this truth. It would not be easy for them to accept (of course).
Peter did not “learn” what to say! This sermon is way above his ability prior to Pentecost, Jesus said the Spirit would tell them what to say. There is this huge change before and after Pentecost.
 
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Dan Perez

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What is the “one baptism” mentioned in Ephesians 4:5?

I believe the “one baptism” mentioned in Ephesians 4:5 is Spirit baptism (Which automatically takes place generally when a person receives Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior). I believe Spirit baptism is the New Covenant form of baptism that has replaced water baptism in God's new program. Now, that said, before you throw down a hammer of verses to refute me, please realize that I believe Peter was mistaken about baptism in Acts chapter 2. In addition, in Acts 10-11: I believe that when Peter recalled the Lord's words on Spirit baptism (from Acts of the Apostles 1:5) he did not fully understand yet that water baptism was no more yet and he was just learning for the first time about Spirit baptism. By the time Peter wrote his letters, I believe that is when he knew that Spirit baptism was the one and only true baptism and that water baptism no longer applied. The same is true for Philip. Philip did not know the true baptism of the New Covenant yet when he encountered the Ethiopian enuch. For we have to remember, that it took time for the Jewish apostles to come out from under the Law of Moses. For the book of Acts is not an account of the apostles getting everything correct or right, but it was an account of their lives in growing and learning in the ways of God. For the disciples did not fully understand Christ's death and resurrection before the cross. So the apostles had to grow in their learning. I believe this to be the case with baptism, as well.


Hi and it reads in Eph 4:5 One Lord , One FAITH , One BAPTISM !!

Does OPne mean ONE /HEIS or can mean the ONE really means THREE ?

Here is what I see that ONE BAPTISM in the Greek means ONE / HEIS , ONE BAPTISMA !

From Matt through EPHESIANS there 23 BAPTISMA .

In the AGE OF GRACE there is only ONE BAPTISMA which means that there is only ONE BAPTIZER , which is the HOLY SPIRIT .

John the BAPTIST and is called JOHN THE BAPTIZER
dan p
 
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bling

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The context does not change anything. Paul actually says that he thanks God for only baptizing a few such as Crispus, and Gaius, and the household of Stephanas. If water baptism was something that God requires of all believers, then Paul should have been the #1 guy for water baptizing others and he would not have thanked God that he only baptized a few but he would be hoping and praying to baptize more. Back then, water baptism was something that most did as a part of receiving Jesus Christ. But Paul only baptized two and one household. This shows us the insignificance of water baptism. Paul was an apostle. He was not sent to baptize but to preach the gospel. But what about the great commission? Well, when we preach the gospel, baptism (i.e. Spirit baptism in joining to one body - 1 Corinthians 12:13) happens automatically. This is why were are told in Matthew 28:19 to Go and teach all nations [and thus as a result we be allowing the Lord to baptize them into one body by the Spirit]. Most Christians today have water on the brain when they see the word “baptism” in the Bible and thus they draw wrong conclusions on certain verses.
But I can imagine folks can be hard pressed to not see what 1 Cor. 1: 10-17 says because they don't like it's message.
Paul knows Water Baptism does not say a person, but helps the person.

You are not explaining why Paul did baptize some and you ignored Paul’s explanation of why he was glade he did not baptize more.

If water baptism is a requirement: Then Paul would have had others to baptize for him, but we don't really see any evidence of this. Paul usually traveled with one other person; And I highly doubt that he would lay the heavy burden of baptism upon just one other guy alone why he kicked back and relaxed.
You cannot take support from the fact we do not know what others were doing around Paul???

Paul says to follow his example (of which Christ was his example) (See: 1 Corinthians 11:1).

So if we are to follow Paul's example (or even Christ's example), then we would not water baptize many and or not at all.
Paul did baptize some, but you can have your followers do the baptizing why you concentrate on teaching, is great.

Again, if Paul was glad he did not baptize more, it doesn't make sense if water baptism was a requirement for all believers.
Paul never said Baptism was essential, but it does help:
Adult believers water immersion is to be a physical outward representation of what had or is happening spiritually in the person being baptized. It is mainly to help the individual being baptized to better grasp what is going on, but it can “witness” to others observing the baptism. It has the elements of going down under the water (burying the old man), placing your dependence in another; the person baptizing you (surrendering your life to God), being washed (having your sins washed away), rising out of the water (rising from the old dead body), and stepping forth out onto the earth (a new person). The person is walking out into the hugs of his new family. It is also a sign of your humility, since it is a humbling act anyone can simple allow someone to do to them (so not a work) and since humility has been shown in the accept of charity (God’s free gift of undeserving forgiveness) it should just support and add to the memory of that acceptance. To refuse Christian water baptism when it is readily available might mean you are not ready to handle other responsibility like having the indwelling Holy Spirit and you are hurting yourself.



As for Jesus not baptizing: Again, it is obvious that Jesus did not water baptize because we know that He baptizes us with the Holy Ghost instead. This is the new form of New Covenant baptism. Rituals of the OT just point us to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit (Which is the real substance or reality of the cleansing we have).
Jesus disciples were baptizing even more then John's disciples, so why did Jesus not stop them?

God allows men of God to make mistakes and or to have misunderstandings until they are ready to learn. For example: The disciples did not know about the spiritual depth behind Christ's death and resurrection until after He had risen.
What other mistakes were the Apostles making early on???

The book of Acts is not teaching doctrine, but it is merely giving an account of what men of God did. What men of God did does not mean that their actions were perfectly in line with God's will 100% of the time. The church was still in it's infancy. Like all children, they need to learn and grow and mature.
They had the indwelling Holy Spirit leading them so did He lead them into making mistakes?
 
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What other mistakes were the Apostles making early on???

Here is one:

“And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” (Luke 9:54-56).​

And here are a few more (if that is not convincing):

  1. When Jesus warned against “the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” his disciples thought he was talking about literal bread, but he was talking about “the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matt. 16:5-12; cf. Mk. 8:14-21).
  2. After Jesus predicted that he must suffer many things and be killed, Peter rebuked him because he misunderstood what it meant for Jesus to be the Messiah (Mk. 8:31-33).
  3. Peter, James, and John didn’t understand what Jesus meant by “rising from the dead” (Mk. 9:9-10).
  4. Jesus said to his disciples, “‘The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.’ But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it” (Mk. 9:31-32; cf Lk. 9:43-45).
  5. Jesus told his disciples, “’We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.’ The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about” (Lk. 18:31-34).
  6. Jesus told his disciples to buy a sword, they responded “Look, here are two swords.” Jesus replied, “That’s enough!” Then when one of them used his sword to cut off the servant’s ear, Jesus said, “No more of this!” then he healed the man’s ear (Lk. 22:36, 49-51). The context and Jesus’ entire life shows that he didn’t mean for his disciples to literally use their swords in defending him.
  7. After Jesus’ death, two of his followers said, “we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Lk. 24:21). They were thinking that he was going to free Israel from Roman domination. They misunderstood his mission.
  8. The disciples thought Jesus was talking about literal food, but he was talking about his Father’s work (Jn. 4:31-34).
  9. Martha thought Jesus’ statement “Your brother will rise again” referred to “the resurrection at the last day,” but Jesus raised Lazarus shortly afterwards (Jn. 11:23-44).
  10. None of the disciples understood why Jesus told Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” They thought Judas needed to buy something for the festival or give something to the poor (Jn. 13:28-30).
  11. The disciples didn’t understand Jesus’ statement, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying” (Jn. 16:16-18).
  12. The book of John ends with a final misunderstanding. Responding to Peter’s question, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus says, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Then John states that Jesus’ words caused a rumor to spread among the believers. Think about this: Jesus has risen from the dead, John is at the end of his Gospel, and Jesus’ words are still being misunderstood. So John attempts to dispel the rumor with these words: “But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?’” (Jn. 21:22-23).

Source used:
Misunderstanding Jesus - BibleBridge Bible Study Lessons

You said:
They had the indwelling Holy Spirit leading them so did He lead them into making mistakes?

When men of God make mistakes, then they are to blame and not God (obviously). Even after the cross, there were misunderstandings going on.

Paul had to rebuke Peter for his trying to get the Gentiles to live as the Jews do (See: Galatians 2:11-14). Paul was later peer pressured by the Jewish Christian elders to go through with an OT ritual rite that involved an animal sacrifice within the Jewish temple (See: Acts of the Apostles 21:17-36).
 
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Dan Perez

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But I can imagine folks can be hard pressed to not see what 1 Cor. 1: 10-17 says because they don't like it's message.
Paul knows Water Baptism does not say a person, but helps the person.

You are not explaining why Paul did baptize some and you ignored Paul’s explanation of why he was glade he did not baptize more.


You cannot take support from the fact we do not know what others were doing around Paul???


Paul did baptize some, but you can have your followers do the baptizing why you concentrate on teaching, is great.


Paul never said Baptism was essential, but it does help:
Adult believers water immersion is to be a physical outward representation of what had or is happening spiritually in the person being baptized. It is mainly to help the individual being baptized to better grasp what is going on, but it can “witness” to others observing the baptism. It has the elements of going down under the water (burying the old man), placing your dependence in another; the person baptizing you (surrendering your life to God), being washed (having your sins washed away), rising out of the water (rising from the old dead body), and stepping forth out onto the earth (a new person). The person is walking out into the hugs of his new family. It is also a sign of your humility, since it is a humbling act anyone can simple allow someone to do to them (so not a work) and since humility has been shown in the accept of charity (God’s free gift of undeserving forgiveness) it should just support and add to the memory of that acceptance. To refuse Christian water baptism when it is readily available might mean you are not ready to handle other responsibility like having the indwelling Holy Spirit and you are hurting yourself.




Jesus disciples were baptizing even more then John's disciples, so why did Jesus not stop them?


What other mistakes were the Apostles making early on???

Hi and here is what 1 Cor 1:15 saying to us by the HOLY SPIRIT !!

#1 The Greek word ANY / TIS is in the Greek NOPMINATIVE CASE and is the Subject of nthe nword ANY !

#2 The Greek words SHOULD SAY / EIPON is in the second AORIST TENSE ACTIVE VOICE and in the SUBJECTIVE MOOD !!

#3 The next Greekm words I HAD BAPTIZED / BAPTIZO a verb is an AORIST TENSE , ACTIVE VOICE , and in the Greek INDICATIVE MOOD .

#4 The next Greek word MINE OWN / EMOS is in thr Greek ACCUSATIVE CASE and this case means a MOTION or ACTION of BAPTISM .

#5 The next Greek word NAME / ONOMA is also in thr Gree ACCUSATIVE CASE and never didnthat MOTION of BAPTISM or ACTION of BAPTISM !

No one can find where Paul ever said I BAPTIZE YOU IN THE NAME OF PAUL !

Butmyou find a formula in Matt 28:19 , to baptize in the name of the FATHER , SON and HOLY SPIRIT or in ACTS or IN Acts 19:5 and were BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD .

dan p
 
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Quintus

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When men of God make mistakes, then they are to blame and not God (obviously). Even after the cross, there were misunderstandings going on.
Judging from the immense variety of assertions on this and every other Christian topic, I think it would be better to say "Especially after the cross there were misunderstandings going on." Same old humans, but fortunately, same old God otherwise most Christians will have undergone the wrong baptism and be without hope.
Come on: Christ's baptism is, ultimately, the one that matters: the rest are either a tribute to it or, in the case of the Spirit, a tribute by God to it.
 
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Quintus

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What is Christ's baptism?

Jesus said,
“John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.” (Acts of the Apostles 11:16).​

Jesus did not say, “John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost and also be baptized in my name in water.”

Do you think then we would be baptized in the Spirit if our Saviour hadn't died and risen, hadn't been baptized in death in the first place? Of course not. Maybe tribute was the wrong word for me to use in the context of the Spirit, maybe testimony, enabling or something else would be better. But whatever, Christ's baptism has precedence over ours.
 
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Do you think then we would be baptized in the Spirit if our Saviour hadn't died and risen, hadn't been baptized in death in the first place? Of course not. Maybe tribute was the wrong word for me to use in the context of the Spirit, maybe testimony, enabling or something else would be better. But whatever, Christ's baptism has precedence over ours.

Not sure where you stand. Are you for water baptism still being applicable? Or are you for Spirit baptism being the new way of the New Covenant?
 
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