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Particulars of Christianity:
309 Baptisms


Baptizo: Two Baptisms, One Greek Word

Preface for Baptisms Article Series
Baptisms: Introduction and Historical Background
Original Proclamations about Baptism
Two Baptisms Occurring Separately
Baptizo: Two Baptisms, One Greek Word
Synonymous Phrases: Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Water Baptism in Jesus' Name
No Record of Paul's Water Baptism
Is Baptism Essential to Salvation?
Acts 1: Parallel Account of the Great Commission
Necessity of Water Baptism: 3 Common Arguments
Survey 1: Baptisms in Acts
The Baptism of Crispus (and Assuming Evidence)
Survey 2: Baptism from Romans to Revelation
Baptism and Hebrews 10:22
Conclusions: When and How Are We Reborn?
Survey 3: Baptism and the Ante-Nicene Authors
Closing: Water Baptism for the Right Reasons



It is very important to take note that the Greek word translated as "baptize" (as well as the related words) are NOT exclusively used only for water baptism. The exact same Greek word is used for both forms of baptism, both water and the Holy Spirit.

In fact, this usage of the same Greek word to refer to both forms of baptism comes right at the very beginning of New Testament revelation and teaching about baptism.

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize [907] 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 [907] you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized [907] you with water: but he shall baptize [907] you with the Holy Ghost.

Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize [907] you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize [907] you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

John 1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize [907] with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose...31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing [907] with water. 32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize [907] 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 [907] with the Holy Ghost.

In fact, not only did John the Baptist use the same Greek word for both forms of baptism from the onset of his ministry, but Jesus Christ and Peter likewise copied John's equal application of that Greek word to both forms of baptism. (Acts 1 below records the words of Jesus Christ. Acts 11 records the words of Peter.)

Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized [907] with water; but ye shall be baptized [907] with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized [907] with water; but ye shall be baptized [907] with the Holy Ghost.

Lastly, we can also establish that Paul used the same Greek word for both forms of baptism.

1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by [1722] one Spirit are we all baptized [907] 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.

What is so interesting about this statement by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 is that the Greek word translated "by" is "en" (Strong's No. 1722.) This Greek word "en" is the same word used in all four of the Gospels in the passages we've already discussed.

Matthew 3:11 he shall baptize [907] you with [1722] the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Mark 1:8 he shall baptize [907] you with [1722] the Holy Ghost.

Luke 3:16 he shall baptize [907] you with [1722] the Holy Ghost and with fire:

John 1:26 he which baptizeth [907] with [1722] the Holy Ghost.

Then, in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul says, "For by [1722] one Spirit are we all baptized [907] into one body." Because the word "en" is the same word in these four Gospel passages as it is in 1 Corinthians 12, we can see that Paul is saying that we are baptized "en" [1722] the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. Paul is clearly referring back to and repeating the original teaching of John the Baptist regarding baptism, teaching that was also upheld by both Jesus and Peter. (We will examine 1 Corinthians 12 in more detail later on in our study.)

What all this tells us is that as a matter of New Testament usage, the same Greek word was used with regard to both forms of baptism by John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, and Paul. And because the same Greek word is used for both forms of baptism, when we read the word "baptize" in the New Testament we cannot simply assume that it refers to water baptism. Likewise, we cannot simply assume it refers to baptism in the Holy Spirit. Instead, we have to look to the immediate context and, if necessary, to the scriptural precedent to determine which form of baptism is being indicated.