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Father teach us, your children, your Word so that we can receive the blessing and benefits. Father, I thank you for giving us understanding according to your word. Father, thank you for opening our eyes that we may behold wondrous things out of your Word. Father, thank you that we can know your Will regarding spiritual baptism. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Last month's teaching, March 2021, we discussed the Greek word baptisma used for our English word baptism. Baptisma means an immersion, washing with water, or washing to purification from sin. We saw from God's Word, in the Grace Administration, the "one baptism" in Ephesians is referring to spiritual baptism not water! We discussed what the number six represents in God's Word, as "baptism" is listed sixth in Ephesians 4:5. We discussed the difference between water baptism and spiritual baptism.

This month, we continue with Ephesians 4:5 - Part 2: "One Baptism." We will search the scriptures for some examples of the Greek word baptisma used for our English word baptism. We will see from God's Word the "one baptism" in Ephesians is referring to spiritual baptism that was made available on the day of Pentecost when God poured out His gift of holy spirit on the twelve Apostles. See May 2016 teaching for more on this topic. This event started the Administration of Grace in which we all are currently living. This is when water baptism was replaced with spiritual baptism. Romans 6:14 tells us:

For sin shall not have dominion over you [the born-again believers]: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

We are not under what? The Law. But we are under what? Grace. The Word of God is the Will of God!

Now let's search the scriptures for some examples of the Greek word baptisma used for our English word baptism. Remember baptisma means an immersion, washing with water, or washing unto purification from sin. This definition is used in the New Testament for the rite of baptism. (Bullinger (1975) Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament).

There are 22 occurrences of the Greek word baptisma for our English word baptism in the Bible. Thirteen (13) refer to John's water baptism, five (5) refer to the Lord's baptism, three (3) are in the Church Epistles, and the last usage is in 1 Peter 3:21. We will look at some of the examples of baptism as documented in God's Word.

The first use of the Greek word baptisma for our English word baptism is documented in Matthew 3:1-7.

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

and saying, repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he [John the Baptist] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism [the Greek word baptisma - immersion, or washing with water], he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

These verses of scriptures were documented before Acts 2:4. At that time the believers were still under the Law Administration, so John baptized them with water, and they confessed their sins. We are now under the Grace Administration, not the Law. As it is written in Romans 10:4:

For Christ is the end of the law.

Christ is the end of what? The Law. Romans 5:2 tells us:

By whom also we [born-again believers] have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

In the Grace Administration, we stand as born-again believers (see January 2016 teaching) because we have confessed Romans 10:9-10:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

In the Grace Administration, which started on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:4), we confess the savior the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that God has raised him from the dead and we shall absolutely be saved or born-again of God's Spirit! This is God's Word people! This is His Will!

Let's look at the other places where the word baptism is used in the Bible. Acts 1:22 states:

Beginning from the baptism [the Greek word baptisma - immersion or washing with water] of John, unto that same day that he [Jesus Christ] was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his [Jesus Christ] resurrection.

Acts 10:37:

That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism [the Greek word baptisma - immersion or washing with water] which John preached.

Acts 13:24:

When John had first preached before his [Jesus Christ] coming the baptism [the Greek word baptisma - immersion or washing with water] of repentance to all the people of Israel.

Who was water baptism preached too? Israel. It was not preached to the body of Christ! Why? Because the body of Christ did not exist until after Pentecost (Acts 2:4). Remember Matthew 15:24:

But he [Jesus] answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Let's continue with examples of the Greek word baptisma. Acts 18:25:

This man [Apollos] was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism [the Greek word baptisma - immersion or washing with water] of John.

Apollos, a Judean, was born at Alexandria and considered an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures. He came to Ephesus and taught diligently the things of the Lord; however, he only knew the water baptism of John. This is a clear example of the fact that you cannot teach more than you know! Therefore, studying the Bible is so important.

Acts 19:3-4:

And he [Paul] said unto them [certain disciples], unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, unto John's baptism [the Greek word baptisma - immersion or washing with water].

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism [the Greek word baptisma - immersion or washing with water] of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:3-4:

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism [the Greek word baptisma - immersion or washing with water] into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Ephesian 4:5:

One Lord, one faith, one baptism [the Greek word baptisma - immersion or washing with water].

Colossians 2:12:

Buried with him in baptism [the Greek word baptisma - immersion or washing with water], wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

1 Peter 3:21:

The like figure whereunto even baptism [the Greek word baptisma - immersion or washing with water] doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

God's Word declares "Christ is the end of the law" in Romans 10:4. Remember, water baptism was under the Law. When water baptism is performed, we can see it with our eyes. It is temporary. But God's Word says in 2 Corinthians 4:18:

While we look not at the things which are seen [water baptism], but at the things which are not seen [baptized with the holy spirit]: for the things which are seen are temporal [water baptism]; but the things which are not seen [baptized with the holy spirit] are eternal.

The Word of God is the Will of God! Galatians 3:27-28 emphatically declares:

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew [Judean] nor Greek [Gentile], there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

In this month's teaching, we looked at examples of the Greek word baptisma or the English word baptism. Having reviewed these, we now know God's Word declares that when we were baptized into the body of Christ, it was not with water, but with the gift of holy spirit! 1 Corinthians 1:17 states:

For Christ [raised from the dead and exalted in glory] sent me [Paul] not to baptize [an immersion, or washing with water], but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

We read that under the Law administration, Matthew 3:6 stated:

They were baptized with water and confessing their sins.

It is important to note that you cannot be saved or receive the gift of holy spirit by performing Matthew 3:6. Since we are now in the Grace Administration, it is not with water but spiritual baptism by which we receive God's gift of holy spirit! The Grace administration started on Pentecost (see Acts 2:4). We now confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead. It is through this act that we shall be saved and born-again of God's Spirit (Romans 10:9), baptized with the holy spirit (Acts 1:5), and receive the gift of holy spirit (Acts 2:4). The Will of God is the Word of God.

We have searched the scriptures on the topic of baptism. Now, we must rightly divide the scriptures, make a distinction, and come to a decision daily that there is one baptism and it is spiritual in the Grace Administration!

Father, thank you for your Word that tells us your Will. Father, thank you that when your Word is rightly divided, it clearly states that when we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that you raised him from the dead we were saved, born-again, and baptized in the holy spirit which is eternal life. Father, thank you for giving wisdom and understanding of the one spiritual baptism in the Grace Administration. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

In next month's teaching, we will continue with "One God." We will look at the meaning of what the number seven (7) represents in God's Word. "One God" is listed seventh in Ephesians 4:6. We will examine the scriptures for examples of the Greek word "Theos" or our English word God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

In the Lord,

Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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