“WHICH BAPTISM DO YOU HAVE?”

Now as the Bible says “One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5) … and there are eight baptisms … which one do you have?

1. Moses in the Old Testament
2. John to Israel
3. Jesus baptised by John
4. Christ on the cross
5. Peter to Israel
6. Peter to the Gentiles
7. The saving baptism of the Holy Spirit
8. The baptism of fire in the Lake of Fire

1. MOSES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Red Sea was a water-mist baptism to show Israel coming out of the world.

“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;” (1 Corinthians 10:1-2).

This is the baptism of Israel … in a cloud … that’s the mist, vapour and fog. They had not got the law at this stage. They were transitioning out of the world. They were simply being put unto, not into, Moses.

2. JOHN TO ISRAEL

John’s baptism is a water baptism to manifest Jesus Christ to Israel. 

“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 (#7), and with fire (#8):” (Matthew 3:11)

“And I knew him not: but that he (Jesus) should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I (John) come baptizing with water.” (John 1:31)

3. JESUS BAPTISED BY JOHN

This baptism signified the changing of the priesthood from Aaron, Moses, to Christ

Watch the similarities:

“And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. ….. Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.” (Exodus 29:4, 7) 

“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. … And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:” (Matthew 3:13, 16)

4. CHRIST ON THE CROSS

This is Christ’s baptism … not of water … but of unbelievable suffering … to be made sin for the sin of the world.

“But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. 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.” (Matthew 20:22)

5. PETER TO ISRAEL

This is Peter’s works baptism of water to Israel for their remission only, not redemption, of sins.  

Israel says “What must we do?”

Israel is not saying “What must we do to get saved?” 

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)

This is definitely not Paul’s waterless redemption commandment for salvation … as believing Acts 2:38 with water baptism for the remission of sins only … will see you in hell.  

6. PETER TO THE GENTILES

This is Peter’s water baptism to the Gentile

 “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision (Jews) which believed were astonished, as many (Jews) as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they (Jews) heard them (the Gentiles) speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these (the Gentiles) should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we (the Jew)? And he (Peter) commanded them (the Gentiles) to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 10:43-46,47-48)

This is not Paul’s waterless baptism commandment for salvation to the jailer (Acts 16:31)

7. THE SAVING BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

This is Paul’s waterless Spirit baptism to Jew and Gentile  

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized (no water) into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit (God’s Spirit).”:
(1 Corinthians 12:13)

8. THE BAPTISM OF FIRE IN THE LAKE OF FIRE

This is Christ’s fire baptism for the unsaved in the Lake of Fire

“I (John) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he (Jesus Christ) that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he (Jesus Christ) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he (Jesus Christ) will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff (the unsaved) with unquenchable fire (the Lake of Fire)” (Matthew 3:11-12).

In summary:

Dear Reader you can’t have Baptism #3 … this was exclusively reserved for Jesus.

But what about the other seven baptisms?

Which are the real deal for today?

Now if there is only one faith and one baptism …. which is it?

Correct! … Paul’s waterless baptism of #7.

Forget the rest … have the best.

The rest are simply types, figures and foreshadows.

Harley Hitchcock
June 2023

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