The Four Baptisms of the New Testament 12.29.2019

Greetings to All:

This thread is dedicated to deliberations on the differences between the Four Baptisms of the New Testament connected to the Two Gospels (link) and Two Churches (link) of the New Testament from previous deliberations. There are three baptisms for the "Gospel of the Kingdom" and just one baptism for Paul's "Word of the Cross" gospel message. Read Acts 19:1-6 to realize “preaching the kingdom” (Acts 20:24-27) includes three distinct baptisms of the Father (John’s Baptism; Acts 19:3), and the Son (“name of Jesus Christ;” Acts 19:5), and the Holy Spirit (“laid his hands upon them:” Acts 19:6) from Matthew 28:19.

There are three baptisms depicting passage or "The Way" through the three sections of the Tabernacle of Moses and the Temple (diagram and diagram) for the disciples of the Prophetic Kingdom "Bride" (Church #1 here). However, Paul writes [my notes],

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, One Baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6.

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Scripture is describing three separate baptisms in the first series of verses in Acts 19:1-6. These events become more dramatic when we realize that they occur about six years after Peter and Paul’s meeting in Jerusalem (Acts 15 = 50 AD), or in about 56 AD. That means that these Kingdom Disciples traveled the countryside for about 25 years with only the “baptism of John.” Then, after hearing the good news about Jesus Christ and His coming, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (second Kingdom Baptism into the "Holy Place" of the Temple). And yet, these disciples had not even heard of Christ nor the Holy Spirit and obviously did not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then, when Paul laid hands upon them (kingdom baptism #3), they all received the gift of the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues.

The writer of Acts is quoting Paul here in describing three individual and different baptisms for the "Gospel of the Kingdom." Matt. 4:23, 9:35, etc.. This is in full agreement with Christ’s Great Commission commands to the Kingdom Disciples from Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-16.

The Three Kingdom Baptisms:

1. Of the Father: John’s Baptism (sent by God; John 1:6, Luke 1:76-78) is the baptism of the Father. As it is written,

"I did not recognize Him, but HE WHO SENT ME to baptize in water said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.' John 1:33.

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2. Of the Son: This second baptism for the Gospel of the Kingdom was given after the disciple repented and confessed his sins to be water baptized by another kingdom disciple. Paul said,

"John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 19:4+5.

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3. Of the Holy Spirit: This third for the Gospel of the Kingdom was done by someone like Peter or John who already had the 'gift of the Holy Spirit' from falling at Pentecost (Acts 2):

"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying." Acts 19:6.

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Now these 'disciples' were shown "The Way" leading into the Holy of Holies where they could then receive the Holy Spirit by the WORK of laying hands. Scripture provides another good example of the three “Gospel of the Kingdom” baptisms in Acts 8:12-17. While our first example (Acts 19:1-6) was about men who knew only of the baptism of John, these people had received the first two baptisms of the kingdom (in water 'and' in the name of Jesus). They had to wait on Peter and John to come and lay hands on them to receive the “gift of the Holy Spirit.” These two examples show that it was possible for a period to pass between these baptisms of the Father (#1), Son (#2) and Holy Spirit (#3). However, Paul declares that there is only “one baptism” for members of Christ’s body. Eph. 4:5.

There is just one baptism for the members of the Body of Christ (Church #2) called to God via Gospel #2 (here). The first chapter to the Corinthians contains examples of Paul baptizing in water, because that two-port-city church had members from both the Kingdom (of Apollos and of Cephas) 'and' Grace Administrations. The Kingdom Epistles describe the three baptisms for the coming Kingdom Administration (diagram = in light blue). However today, the Holy Spirit seals (Eph 1:13-14, 4:30) the member of the Body of Christ (that's us) into 'Christ's Body' (1Cor 12:27) the moment we are obedient to the message of truth, the gospel of our salvation. Paul writes to Gentiles,

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed "IN" Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13+14.

“For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit 'we' [Church #2 brethren] were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and 'we' were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” 1Corinthians 12:12-14.

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For 'all of you' [Church #2] who were baptized 'into Christ' have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:26+27.

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Under Paul’s Gospel (Romans 2:16, Romans 16:25, etc.), we are baptized into the Body of Christ on the cross at Calvary the moment we believe. It is through the “power of God” (Rom. 1:16+17) through Paul's Gospel of the Grace of God that 'we' become active participants in His death, burial and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:26-27.

All the words above take us back to the cross; and NOT to the Jordan River. There is no water in these Pauline verses at all. Zero! As members of His body, we died with Him on the cross (Gal. 2:20), were buried in His tomb and raised with Him to be seated in the heavenly places "IN" Christ Jesus. (See Eph. 2:4-7 again). Our lives are now hidden with Christ "IN" God. Col. 3:3.

Paul’s one baptism into Christ's Body is nothing like the three Kingdom baptisms for the "Gospel of the Kingdom," and they are to be understood totally separate from each other. Paul is seen preaching the three baptisms to the Kingdom disciples in Acts 19, because he preached both the Gospel of the Kingdom 'and' the Gospel of the grace of God (read very carefully Paul’s words in Acts 20:24-27).

To apply these things to this ReligiousForums.com debate: There is one baptism for the members of the Body of Christ today. Those who seek to enter the Kingdom of God on earth as Disciples, in the coming Kingdom Dispensation, shall be baptized three times in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Do you see the four baptisms in the New Testament for the Kingdom Bride and Mystery Body of Christ? Good luck in the debate.

In Christ Jesus,

Terral

Terral

All that stuff is too complicated and makes no sense to me.

I just follow the 1 commandment from the Lord.

Much easier on my simple brain.

Thanks,

Gerry

Eph: 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism

I believe that means there is one baptism for Christians but not so different from the baptism of John or the baptism in the Holy Spirit which would seem to me be the same as the baptism of fire.