Two Kinds of Baptism

When I hear someone say that in order to be saved you must be baptized in water I know that the person who made the remark is not saved. What better way to know error in another then to listen to the fruit of their own lips.

It might sound judgmental for me to say that those expecting to be saved by water baptism will not be saved, but I can back it up in Scripture.  Again I'll say that the person who expects water baptism to save them is not fully trusting in Jesus Christ. There is no additions to saving grace. Either God did it all, or He did none.

"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work" Romans 11:6.

Grace is unmerited favor and works is a labor, task, or doing a deed.  

Work :ἔργων (ergōn) Short Definition: work, labor, action, deed Definition: work, task, employment; a deed, action; that which is wrought or made, a work.

Does Baptism Save?

Now ask yourself, "Is water baptism a work of man or of God?" Sure water baptism was directed by God for man to do but is it a work of man or of God?

Circumcision also was directed by God for men to do but does circumcision save? Paul said it did not. Even if someone says they believe in Jesus but also expects circumcision to save they are nevertheless lost. 

"Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing" Galatians 5:2.

I'll say the same thing, "I Larry say unto you, if ye be baptized in water expecting to be saved, Christ shall profit you nothing."

Water baptism is a command of God, not for salvation but for ordination. We do it not for salvation but out of obedience to Christ. He told his disciple to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" Matthew 28:19.

The Gospel Saves

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" Romans 1:16.

It is interesting to note that preaching precedes baptism. You do not preach the gospel and then save a soul through water baptism. You preach the gospel which the power of God unto salvation and then you follow through with water baptism.

Paul makes it clear that he was not sent to baptize but to preach the gospel,

"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect" 1 Corinthians 1:17.

In Mark it talks about that we should preach the gospel to the entire world. It is important to preach and then to baptize. We do not want to get the cart before the horse. Salvation is far more important then baptism. Salvation in Christ gives us the tutor so we can learn more about God.

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" John 14:26.

Holy Ghost Baptism Saves

Now that I've taught you that water baptism doesn't save then what kind of baptism does save? John the Baptist tells us 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."

John the Baptist, the man who baptized in water, now teaches a new kind of baptism from someone else who was mightier than himself.

Jesus came to John wanting to be baptized. This is what John had to say, 

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. "John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" Matthew 3:13.

Something is strange here. John desired to be baptized by Jesus, but Jesus never baptized anyone.

"Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples…" John 4:2.

It was not the appointed time for Jesus to baptize. It was at Pentecost after His death when Jesus the resurrected Christ took on the role of baptizer.  Not of water but by the Holy Ghost.

The baptism of water was of John but the baptism of the Holy Ghost by Jesus Christ, the member of the triune God. 

"For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence" Acts 1:5.

It is sad that whenever baptism is mention in Scripture people always assume that the passage is talking about water baptism instead of Spiritual baptism. It is as though the baptism of John is far more important than the baptism of God. We need to hear the words of John again,

"And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." John 1:25-27.

"And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God" John 1:31-34

Then what was the baptism of John?

"Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."

The baptism of John pointed to Jesus, the baptizer in the Holy Ghost.

Is it possible that you can be saved without baptism? Scripture declares that we can,

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days" Acts 10: 44-48.

The book of Romans says,  

"Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" Romans 8:9.

Paul said that if you have the Holy Ghost you belong to Christ.

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory" Ephesians 1:13-14.

Under grace, salvation is declared in about 115 passages to depend solely on believing in Jesus Christ. Baptism in the Holy Ghost is more preferred than water baptism. The baptism of the Holy Ghost given at our salvation is the only baptism that places us into the body of Christ.

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized 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" 1 Corinthians 12:13.

The great news about the baptism of Jesus is that it is all automatic. When you trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, you will be baptized in the Holy Ghost.