In Ephesians 4:5 Paul said that there is “one baptism.” So then, from all the confusion within the religious world, we must determine what the “one baptism” is. Is it Holy Spirit baptism? Is it infant Baptism? Is it John’s Baptism? How are we to know what baptism Paul was referring to in Ephesians 4:5? Let us take a look and see.

The One Baptism Has the Proper Subject

The subject of baptism is the one who has the ability to obey the gospel. That includes hearing (Romans 10:17), believing (John 8:24), repenting (Acts 3:19), and confessing Christ (Romans 10:9-10). Since infants cannot do these things, we know right away that infant baptism is not the one baptism. The truth is, God never intended for babies to be baptized because they are already saved (Matthew 18:3). Anyone who does not have the capability of believing is not the proper subject for baptism.

Another thing that is clear, by the steps one must take in order to obey the gospel properly, is that the person who is unwilling to repent, should not be baptized. Too many times we are in such a rush to get people in the water that we do not demand that they first repent. As we have often said, a person who is baptized without first repenting, simply goes into the water a dry sinner and comes out a wet sinner.

The One Baptism Has the Proper Action

Webster and other modern dictionaries often define the word “baptism” so as to include either sprinkling, pouring, or immersion; however, we are not concerned with modern definitions, are we? We want to know what the Bible says about the mode of baptism. The fact is, the Bible reveals baptism as a burial, not a sprinkling or pouring. The Greek word for “baptism” is baptisma, and it literally means immersion. Furthermore, the Greek word for “baptize” is baptizo and literally means “to dip.” So then, when one baptizes another, he dips him, and when one is baptized, he is immersed. The only method of baptism that is acceptable to God is the one which the word itself requires, that is, an immersion, dipping or planting in water. Listen to this interesting quote from the I.S.B.E.

BAPTISM
As is well known, not only in Greece, but all over Russia, wherever the Greek church prevails, immersion is the unbroken and universal practice. The Greeks may surely be credited with knowledge of the meaning of their own language (from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).

The Bible clearly teaches that one who is baptized properly is buried in water.

Romans 6:4 (ESV)
⁴ We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Colossians 2:12 (ESV)
¹² Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

The One Baptism Has the Proper Purpose

Some churches believe in baptism, but they do not teach the right purpose for it. They believe that baptism is a command that must be kept after one is already saved. They like to call it an outward sign of an inward grace. Listen to how it was once explained by Billy Graham.

“No responsible Baptist would claim that baptism is necessary for salvation, but it is essential if we are to be obedient to our Lord in following his example and instruction.”
Mr. Graham, along with all other Baptists, believes that the Lord instructs His people to be baptized, but only after they have been saved. The truth, however, is that baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), making it essential to salvation. Furthermore, baptism puts one into Christ (Galatians 3:27). Since one cannot be saved outside of Christ, one cannot be saved without being baptized.

When all the arguments of men fall, the Bible’s position on baptism will still be the same. It will still be the place where our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 16:22); it will still be a part of calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 16:22); and, it will still be where and when God performs a spiritual operation, cutting away one’s sins (Colossians 2:11-12). Do you believe God’s word? If so, you must accept what it teaches about baptism.