There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:4-6
For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
1 John 5:7
How many Gods are there, three or one?
We can be sure there are three baptisms because scripture teaches us there are three baptisms.
However to understand that there are three different baptisms, together that make up the fullness of the one baptism, one only needs to look to and understand the Godhead, and that the Father, the Word and the Spirit are three distinct and different persons of the Godhead, each one being God themselves, no less or no more valid as God than the other, yet completely distinct from one another as well as indivisible as one, united in purpose.
The scriptures themselves teach there are three distinct and different baptisms, as well as three distinct and different baptizers.
To ignore one baptism in favor of the other is to ignore the many scriptures concerning baptism, and what the teach.
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
1 Corinthians 10:1-2
Paul uses shadows and types from the Old Testament to paint a picture for us, concerning this doctrine.
- all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
Baptized into Moses represents being baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit. This is when we are regenerated and come to be in Christ, whereby we are one Spirit with Him. The Holy Spirit being the Baptizer.
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13
Baptized in the cloud represents us being baptized with the Holy Spirit; the Lord Jesus Christ being the Baptizer.
I indeed baptized you with water, but
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:8
again
for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:5
Baptized in the sea, represents us being baptized in water, in which man is the Baptizer.
for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:5
again
Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14-16
- The Holy Spirit baptizes us into Christ.
- The Lord Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit.
- Man baptizes us in water.
JLB