"One Baptism"
A guest post by Chad Ramsey.
As he discussed the basis of Christian unity, the apostle Paul made it clear that there is only “one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5).
This statement is important because the Bible makes reference to a number of baptisms:
The baptism of John (Mark 1:4).
The baptism of suffering (Mark 10:38-39).
The baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
The baptism of fire (Matthew 3:11).
The baptism for the dead (1 Corinthians 15:29).
The baptism of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
When we consider that the act of baptism, which is described in Scripture as a burial (Colossians 2:12), is associated with both the removal of one’s sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16) and salvation (Mark 16:15; 1 Peter 3:21), it should be obvious to the sincere student that whatever the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5 is, those who wish to please God must submit to it.
What is the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5?
A careful examination of Scripture helps us to conclude the “one baptism” must be the baptism of the Great Commission, for Jesus, after having issued it, said: “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus intended His followers to preach this as long as the world stands.
Thus, when Peter preached to the multitude at Pentecost and told them: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38), this is the baptism that he preached.
It is also helpful to consider what occurred at Ephesus in Acts 19. That chapter records Paul’s visit to Ephesus and how he found twelve men who had been baptized into John’s baptism (Acts 19:3). After instruction from Paul, however, “they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5)—the “one baptism.”
We must be willing to do no less.
Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.
Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.
