Many Christians quote Ephesians 4:5 — “One Lord, one faith, one baptism” — but few ever stop to ask the obvious question:
If the Bible lists multiple baptisms, how can Paul say there is only one?
For most believers, “one Lord” and “one faith” make perfect sense. Scripture is very clear:
There is one God — the Father — and one Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 8:5–6).
Even though many claim divine status, God Himself declares in Isaiah that there is no other besides Him.
His claim to deity is validated by a unique test: predictive prophecy — God alone can foretell the future with perfect accuracy.
But when we get to “one baptism”… suddenly the water gets murky.
Because the Bible does not contain just one baptism. It contains many.
IF YOU READ THE BIBLE LITERALLY, YOU COUNT MULTIPLE BAPTISMS
1. John’s Water Baptism
A baptism “unto repentance for the remission of sins” (Matt. 3:5–6; Mark 1:4).
2. Christ Baptizing with the Holy Spirit
John promised: “He (Christ) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 3:11).
This happened at Pentecost (Acts 1:5; Acts 2:1–4).
3. Christ Baptizing with Fire
In the same verse (Matt. 3:11–12), John warns of a future baptism of judgment — Christ returning in flaming vengeance to purge Israel before the Kingdom (2 Thess. 1:7–8).
4. Jesus’ Water Baptism to Fulfill All Righteousness
He was baptized by John for a unique purpose (Matt. 3:13–15).
5. Jesus’ Baptism into Death
Christ speaks of a future baptism — His suffering and death on the cross (Luke 12:50; Rom. 6:3).
Already we have five distinct baptisms — and Scripture contains even more, depending on how you count them.
So when Paul says “one baptism”, this creates a crucial question:
👉 Which baptism is the “one” for us today?
And here is where right division becomes essential — without it, Christians drown in confusion.
THE KEY IS TO SEE WHO IS DOING THE BAPTIZING
In the Gospels and early Acts program (Israel’s kingdom program):
• John baptizes with water
• Christ baptizes with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5)
• Christ baptizes with fire at His Second Coming
• Jesus undergoes a unique water baptism
• The cross is described as a baptism into death
Different baptizers…
different elements…
different purposes.
But none of those are the “one baptism” Paul speaks of for the Body of Christ.
PAUL REVEALS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT BAPTISM
1 Corinthians 12:13 — the dispensational key:
“For BY ONE SPIRIT are we all BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY…”
This baptism:
• Is performed by the Holy Spirit
• Places the believer into Christ
• Is not water
• Happens the moment one believes the gospel
• This is the only baptism required or recognized in the dispensation of grace.
WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?
Paul explains the order clearly:
Ephesians 1:12–13
You hear the gospel of salvation:
Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again.
You believe and trust Christ alone.
THEN the Holy Spirit seals you.
At that moment, He also baptizes you into Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).
This is a spiritual operation described in:
Colossians 2:12
“The operation of God…”
Romans 6:3–4
You are baptized into His death, buried with Him, and raised to walk in newness of life.
Paul never associates this with water.
It is real, not symbolic.
It is positional, not ceremonial.
THE CONTRAST WITH ISRAEL’S PROGRAM
This is where right division becomes crystal clear.
At Pentecost:
• Christ was baptizing His Jewish apostles with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5).
• That’s Christ as the baptizer, not the Spirit.
• That is the fulfillment of John’s prophecy — not Paul’s teaching.
In Paul’s gospel:
• The Spirit is the baptizer.
• The believer is placed into Christ, not into a kingdom remnant.
• The act is invisible, spiritual, and complete — no water required.
These are two different programs.
Two different purposes.
Two different peoples.
Two different baptisms.
PAUL COULDN’T SAY THIS IF WATER BAPTISM STILL APPLIED
If Paul were following the so-called “Great Commission,” he could never write:
1 Corinthians 1:14,17
“I thank God I baptized none of you…”
“For Christ sent me NOT to baptize…”
Peter’s message in early Acts required water (Acts 2:38).
Paul’s message does not.
If water baptism were God’s requirement today, Paul would be disobeying Christ.
But he isn’t — because Paul’s apostleship is separate, heavenly, and grace-based.
SO WHAT IS THE “ONE BAPTISM” OF EPHESIANS 4:5?
It is:
The Holy Spirit placing you into the Body of Christ the moment you trust the gospel.
No water.
No rituals.
No ceremonies.
No fire.
No Pentecostal signs.
Just Christ — and your complete identity in Him.
This is the only baptism God is performing in the age of grace.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
Because understanding this:
• Clarifies why Paul separates his ministry from Israel’s.
• Removes the confusion about water baptism today.
• Reveals your complete position in Christ.
• Shows how thoroughly God has blessed you (Eph. 1:3; Col. 2:10).
• Highlights the necessity of right division (2 Tim. 2:15).
When you trust Christ, you lack nothing.
You are already:
• Crucified with Him
• Buried with Him
• Risen with Him
• Sealed with the Spirit
• Indwelt by the Spirit
• Made a member of His Body
• Blessed with all spiritual blessings
• Made complete in Him
All without a drop of water.
That is grace.
That is the “one baptism.”
That is the glory of the mystery revealed to the Apostle Paul.
All Scripture quotations are from the King James Bible
