Baptisms

Not all baptisms are equal.  Not all baptisms have to do with water.

Matthew 3:11-12 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: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

  • John’s baptism of repentance
    • John’s message was that Israel better prepare themselves to receive Jesus Christ otherwise the wrath of his kingdom will come on them.
    • Purpose of John’s baptism was to manifest Christ to Israel (John 1:31).
    • John’s baptism is an acknowledgement of God’s witness against them.  Luke 7:29-30 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, JUSTIFIED GOD, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers REJECTED THE COUNSEL OF GOD AGAINST THEMSELVES, being not baptized of him.
    • Notice no one receives the Holy Ghost with John’s baptism.
  • Jesus’ baptism of fire
    • The baptism of fire is obviously not a water baptism because it’s a fire baptism.  (Not everytime the word baptism shows up is water involved.)
    • This baptism is for those under the judgment of God.
    • Those in this baptism are called chaff.  The baptism is with unquenchable fire.
  • Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Ghost
    • This baptism is obviously not a water baptism either because it’s a spiritual baptism.
    • This is an event that happened when the Lord Jesus Christ ascended up to the right hand of the Father and poured out the Holy Ghost.  Acts 1:5-8
    • Acts 2:32-33 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
    • The speaking in other languages was so that the mighty works of God in Jesus Christ could be preached while travellers were in Jerusalem for Pentecost.  Those listening said, Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?  They understood in their own language, so no one is babbling without understanding.

Holy Spirit baptizes the believer into the body of Christ

  • This is a spiritual baptism.
  • 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized 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.
  • No one speaks in tongues.

Baptism unto Moses in a cloud

  • 1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
  • Israelites who left Egypt with Moses.

Disciples baptizing in the name of Jesus Christ

  • Peter in Acts 2:38 – JERUSALEM & ALL JUDEA
    • This is a water baptism.
    • None of them speak in other languages (tongues) after they get baptized.  These are the people that HEARD in their own tongues and responded. They didn’t speak in tongues after they were baptized.
    • The question in context Acts 2:36-37, what shall we do? The audience is Israelites.  The offer is made to save themselves from this generation of Jews that are under condemnation of God according to Acts 2:40.  This generation is about to commit blasphemy against the Holy Ghost in Acts 7 after Stephen preaches to them.
  • Philip in Acts 8:12 – SAMARIA
    • This is water baptism.
    • These are Samaritans. (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, uttermost…)
    • No one speaks in tongues.
    • Baptized because they believed the things Philip preached about the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Philip in Acts 8:38 – AFRICA
    • This is a water baptism.
    • This is the first Gentile baptized on record.
    • No one speaks in tongues here.
    • The Ethiopian is baptized because he has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Ananias in Acts 9:18 – Apostle to the Gentiles
    • This is a water baptism.
    • Ananias is a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ in Damascus.  He baptizes Paul in the name of the Jesus Christ.
    • No one speaks in tongues here.
  • Peter in Acts 10:48 – EUROPE
    • This is water baptism.
    • Peter and the Jews with him are astonished that the Gentiles have received the Holy Ghost because they’ve believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.
    • No one speaks in tongues after they are baptized.
    • Cornelius and those with him are baptized because it is evident to Peter that they’ve already received the Holy Ghost.
  • Paul in Acts 16:15
    • This is a water baptism.
    • Lydia and her household believe the preaching of Paul concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.
    • They are Gentiles in Philippi.
    • No one speaks in tongues.
  • Paul in Acts 16:33
    • This is a water baptism.
    • Philippian jailor and his household believe the preaching of Paul concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.
    • They are Gentiles in Philippi.
    • No one speaks in tongues
  • Paul in Acts 18:8
    • This is a water baptism.
    • Crispus and his household believe the preaching of Paul concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.
    • He is a Jew in Corinth.
    • Paul would say this regarding baptism in Corinth: 1 Corinthians 1:12-17 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 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.
    • No one speaks in tongues
  • Paul in Acts 19:5 – ASIA
    • This is a water baptism.
    • These disciples of John are in Ephesus and believe the preaching of Paul concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.
    • No one speaks in tongues until after Paul lays hands on them.