Water Baptism-Verses

Seven Different Baptisms

More details on each

Old Covenant Baptisms + Jesus’ Baptisms – Baptisms of the Holy Spirit – Water Baptism – Infant Baptism

The seven baptisms are listed below in the chronological order they were given.

The word baptism is a unique Christian word, which in God’s Word is used to describe 7 different baptisms. Since each baptism is different, the word baptism actually has 7 different meanings in the Word. We should allow the Spirit through the Word, to define what baptism means, before we should let the secular world define the meaning of this word for us, as immersion.

The first three baptisms happened under the Old Covenant laws which we are no longer under:

1. Baptism - being united together under God, with one mediator Moses. This baptism brought together, united all of Israel as a nation under our God, through His chosen mediator Moses. All were baptized into Moses by the cloud they followed, and through the Red Sea, which parted so they could walk through it. Israel may have gotten a little mist on them, from the walls of the sea which were held back, or have gotten their feet wet. Yet only Pharaoh’s soldiers were immersed in water.

*all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 1Co 10:2 NKJV+

2. Baptism – an Old Covenant ceremonial washing with water. One would confess their sins, and then be physically be washed with water to be purified, to be made righteous. So they would be prepared for the Messiah to come, Jesus. This baptism was started by John the Baptist and was referred to as John’s baptism.

*John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Mk 1:3-4 KJV

*Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purification. Jn 3:25 NKJV+

3. Baptism - an Old Covenant ceremonial washing to make one righteous, so they could become consecrated to God, begin doing the Lord’s work. Jesus came to John to be ceremonially washed, ceremonially made righteous, a work required by the Old Covenant law; which if not obeyed would make one sin (we are no longer under Old Covenant law; but Christ’s atoning grace on the cross). Then Jesus was anointed with the indwelling of the Spirit; given the spiritual gift of power to do good works and heal others.

*And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. Ex 40:12 KJV

*Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest. Ex 40:12 NIV+

*But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. Matt 3:15 NKJV+

*how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Ac 10:38 NKJV+

The remaining 4 baptisms are under the New Covenant of Christ’s grace, are still offered to us today:

4. Baptism of overcoming many trials and temptations; which the disciples had to face, which we will likewise encounter when we follow our Savior; which we can only overcome with the help of our God, with the Holy Spirit guiding us.

*But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; Mk 10:38-39 NKJV+

5. Baptism of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; is the first baptism to be given in the New Covenant of Christ’s grace. Jesus baptized some of His disciples with the gift of the indwelling of the Spirit on the day He arose from the grave (Resurrection Day; Easter). This was 40 days before Jesus ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father.

*I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Mk 1:8 NKJV+

*And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Jn 20:22 NKJV+

6. Baptisms of the gifts of Holy Spirit, continually given spiritual gifts which help us do the work our Father has planned for us to do. The disciples had already been baptized with the indwelling of the Spirit in 5. above. Now they were baptized with the Spirit, given the gifts to have the courage to address the crowd at the Feast of Weeks (changed to Pentecost); had the words they were saying translated into the many languages of the people who were listening to them.

* for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Ac 1:5 NKJV+

*Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Ac 2:3-4 NKJV+

7. Water Baptism, physically being washed with water with our Savior’s words; This symbolizes how we spiritually have our sins forgiven us by our Heavenly Father, through the grace of Jesus, and are given the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts (5. above). Because we are obeying our Savior’s command, we will be given spiritual blessings for being water baptized. Sprinkling, pouring out, or immersion, all physiclly symbolize how we have our sins spiritually washed by our Heavenly Father when we surrender our will to Him, and follow His ways. And because our soul and spirit now become spiritually holy, the Holy Spirit can dwell within them; baptism of the Holy Spirit.

*"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Matt 28:19 NASB+

*I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. Eze 36:25-26 ESV+

*"Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. Ac 2:33 NASB+

The only baptism we must have to save ourselves, and for 1 parent to save their children until they reach the age of accountability; is the (5) Baptism of the Holy Spirit, being given the spiritual indwelling of the Holy Spirit. For without the Spirit in our hearts no one can be one with Christ.

*You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Ro 8:9 ESV+

*For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. 1Co 7:14 NASB+ Note: Only the children are made holy when there is one believing parent, the unbelieving spouse is not made holy 1Co 7:16

When we have the Spirit living in our hearts:

He will enable us/our young children to overcome all the trials and temptations we will ever face; (4) Baptism of overcoming many trials and temptations.

He will continually give us/our young children spiritual gifts; (6) Baptisms of the Holy Spirit, continually given gifts from the Holy Spirit.

He will make us want to obey our Savior, have ourselves and our small children receive water baptism; (7) Water Baptism, physically being washed with water and receiving spiritual blessings.

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Baptism – Lord’s Supper

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+ ESV “Scripture quotations marked [ESV] are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version,” copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good New Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Some words in the verses from these Bibles may be emphasized with bold letters.