“One Baptism” (2)

Steven J. Wallace

 

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4-6).

Baptism in the name of the Lord is the “one baptism” mentioned by Paul and is connected to the other six “ones” mentioned here. The supplied chart in the pdf link illustrates.

 

• The “one baptism” places us into the “one body” or church (1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:47). Note: The Corinthians were not baptized by the Holy Spirit but when they heard and believed, they were baptized to have their sins washed away (Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 6:11).
• The “one baptism” is of the “one Spirit” because the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ and reveals to men what Christ would have them do to be saved. “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (Jn. 16:14). “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:5; cf. 1 Cor. 6:11).
• The “one baptism” is tied to the “one hope.” Paul wrote: “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4) and then, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him” (Rom. 6:8). Hope is forward-looking faith; it is earnest expectation and anticipation of something. Well, if we died with Christ, we certainly believe we shall live with Him!
• The “one baptism” is tied to the “one Lord.” We are baptized “into Christ” and into His death. We are buried with our Lord (see Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:3, 4). We are justified by Christ’s blood and reconciled to God through His death Rom. 5:9, 10). However, when that happens is when we are baptized (Rom. 6:3, 4).
• The “one baptism” is tied to the “one faith.” It is an act of faith that meets God’s grace (Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:3, 4). In fact, Paul wrote to the churches of Christ in Galatia, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26, 27). The “for” leads on with the previously established truth. Sons of God through faith is further explained as being baptized into Christ and being clothed Him.
• Finally, the “one baptism” is tied to the “One God and Father” for He has legislated for all to be baptized in His name to be saved (Matt. 28:19).

Have you obeyed the Father by being baptized into Christ?