𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗕𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗦

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗕𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗦: When most people hear the word baptism, they immediately think of water. That assumption is nearly universal, and deeply misleading. Scripture speaks of multiple baptisms, but only one has the power to save. Jesus Himself made this clear. After already being baptized in water, Jesus said: “I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” (Luke 12:50) This was not water baptism. It was a future baptism, one He would endure on the cross. The word baptism simply means immersion. It does not specify what someone is immersed in. Scripture always defines the kind of baptism in view. John the Baptist said: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance… but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” (Matthew 3:11) That’s three baptisms in one verse. So when Paul declares: “There is one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5) He is not talking about water. Paul explains exactly what that one baptism is: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” (1 Corinthians 12:13) This is a spiritual baptism, performed by the Holy Spirit, that places a believer into Christ. Romans 6:3 clarifies the depth of this truth: “So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death.” That means salvation comes by being identified with Christ’s death, not by ritual water. So what baptism did Jesus Himself undergo? The Old Testament repeatedly describes the Messiah’s suffering as being overwhelmed by waters, not literal water, but God’s wrath: “The floods… compassed me.” (Psalm 18) “The waters are come in unto my soul.” (Psalm 69) “Thy wrath lieth hard upon me… all thy waves.” (Psalm 88) On the cross, Jesus was immersed in God’s judgment for sin. “He hath made Him to be sin for us.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) This is the one baptism that saves, Christ being baptized in God’s wrath, so we never have to be. When a sinner believes the gospel, the Holy Spirit baptizes that person into Christ, uniting them with His death, burial, and resurrection. That is salvation. Water baptism does not wash away sins. Only the blood of Jesus does that. Water baptism matters, but only as a picture, not a power. “For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works.” (Ephesians 2:8 through 9) Salvation is not through water. It is not through ritual. It is not through works. It is through Jesus Christ alone. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) More Joy Ministries