Throughout the New Testament, six baptisms are mentioned. (1) John’s baptism (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4); (2) Baptism of suffering in leadership (Matthew 20:22,23); (3) Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:5); (4) Baptism with fire (Matthew 3:11); (5) Israel’s baptism in the cloud and in the sea (I Corinthians 10:1,2); (6) Baptism in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). When Paul wrote the Ephesian letter in 62 A.D., he proclaimed that there was only one baptism at that time. Most of the baptisms had served their purpose and no longer existed. The baptism of fire has reference to eternal punishment. The one baptism of Ephesians 4 is the baptism of Christ given in the Great Commission that is to be preached to the whole world and will last until the end of time. It is baptism in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 8:36).
Ken Tyler
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