Is Water Baptism The One Baptism in Ephesians 4:5 | Written by Dr. H.L. Champion

The Many Baptisms and the One Baptism – Prepared by Pastor H.L. Champion
( Keep returning to this presentation in its unfolding development )

Entry # 1

Baptism is not an Aquatic Term! This Bible word is not restricted to H2O. It is a simple thing to discover with just the slightest bit of Bible Study. While there are numerous uses of the concept of “Immersion” with Water Baptism. There are other ways to be Immersed. The Greek word “baptizo” is a postitional term meaning surrounded, submerged, dipped, or inundated.

John the Baptist, was a “Water Baptizer”, but he was no saviour! John is the one that holds the initial key to understand the other Baptisms mentioned in The Doctrine of Baptisms (Heb. 6:2). In fact he teaches three different baptisms. How can this be? Simple. First, get ready to divorce yourself from the myopic definition of baptism being only ‘immersion in water’. It definitely is one use of the word. Certainly it is used repeatedly! John says, “I indeed baptize you with water, but . . .” There is the conjunction of difference the word, “but“. Get ready for different baptisms. . .

Entry # 2

John the Baptist Taught Three Baptisms. The topic I am using for this series of artlces comes from Hebrews 6:2: “Of the Doctrine of Baptisms. . .” In this verse the word Baptisms in the Greek is  “baptismos” . It is plural. It certainly gives Paul’s understanding that there are more than one type of Baptism which is in line with John the Baptist. He taught in Matthew 3:11: 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: . . . Here is the synopsis of his preaching;

  • 1 – John baptizes with Water – This Water Baptism reflects Repentance to God not Faith in Christ.
  • 2 – Jesus baptizes with The Holy Ghost – This experience is tied to Faith and Salvation into His Kingdom;
  • 3 – Jesus baptizes with Fire – This experience is for those who will be Immersed into the Lake of Fire.

This is so simple! Jesus does not baptize anyone with Water. When He had the chance to do so, He didn’t. John 4:1,2  When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,).

  • 4 – The Disciples baptize with Water with Jesus present, before the Cross. Water Baptism is not done by Jesus.

He was right there when new believers were Water Baptized. His disciples baptized them. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Ghost. He just got through teaching Nicodemus about the New Birth in John 3. In this whole chapter no reference is made to Water Baptism. Only those who have preconceived notions about Water Baptism being the only Baptism in the Bible try to insert Water Baptism as The New Birth or as a companion to it. The New Birth is a Spiritual Birth, The Baptism of the Holy Spirit. That is what Jesus does; He Baptizes anyone who believes in him into the Holy Ghost. Holy Spirit Baptism and Water Baptism are totally separate. They are not synonymous. They do not happen simultaneously.

Jesus taught in Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” That is the order; Spirit Baptism then Water Baptism. Jesus saves the Sinner and makes him a Christian, then the disciples immerses the Christian and identifies him as a Follower of Christ.

I have introduced the first Two Baptisms to discussed further. The next issue will be on the Baptism of Fire. This will be number 3 Baptism.

Entry #3

The Baptism of Fire

How can Pentecostals get this so wrong? This Baptism is not an Acts 2 experience. The Baptism of Fire is not even for Christians. Just look at the teaching;

Matt 3:11 – 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:
Matt 3:12 – Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

The Wheat and the Chaff are separated from each other. One goes into the Barn of God and the other gets the Baptism of Fire! You know this is right! Where and how does Jesus baptize with “unquenchable fire”. You’re not going to like this. Have you heard of Hell Fire? How about the Lake of Fire?  That’s right! While Jesus does not baptize with Water, He does Baptize those who believe in Him with His Holy Spirit! And those who do not believe in Him, He Baptizes them into the Eternal Lake of Fire!

There are Three Baptisms into the Lake of Fire. One is for the Satanic Trinity; the Beast, False Prophet and the Devil. One is for Hell and Death. The last is for all who was not written in the Book of Life.

Rev. 19:20 – And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Rev. 29:10 – And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Verse 14 – And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Verse 15 – And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

So, remember! You do not want to get into the Baptism of Fire! This is reserved for those mentioned above! No Christian will be Baptized into the Lake of Fire!

Entry #4

The Baptism of Sin

Why is it that Matthew 20:22 and 23 is ignored by the Jehovah Witnesses, the Churches of Christ, Mormons, United Pentecostals, and other Baptismal Regenerationists? “(v.22) But Jesus answered and said, . . . Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. (v.23) And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with. . .” This is definitely the experience of the Cross and three days and nights of separation from the Father!

To add this teaching to one’s doctrine of the term ‘Baptism’ is to admit that the term is not restricted to being buried into H2O. But, It is only a positional term to be buried in anything. John the Baptist taught one could be buried in water, Holy Spirit, and fire. Jesus taught that he would be buried in Sin and that we would be too! I say, “we” because James and John were perceived to be among the Saints as all who were to be Saved in the days closely ahead all the way to those of us in the last days on earth.

Romans 6:3 “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” So, Christians are baptized by Christ into His Spirit and into the Sin he experienced at Calvary. That is why we will never be able to be condemned by our sins ever again. Hold on, now! Jesus is not giving his children the license to sin flagrantly after our Redemption from Sin. The sins we commit since our salvation will be judged at each Lord’s Supper we take and then finally at the Judgement Seat of Christ; which is for Christians only. This is another matter!