Three Biblical Baptisms
Foreward	There has been much confusion and division over the doctrine of baptism. Baptists and Evangelicals believe in an immersion-style baptism, while Charismatic and Pentecostal circles believe in an Acts 1:8-style baptism as an additional but separate process. Here in this article, we will itemize all baptism-related scripture and find they fall under three categories. Doctrinal differences arise from not clearly identifying the categories, and each denomination has unfortunately a different "mix" of the three! Let's examine this closely.
Index	Three Different Baptisms How do these Baptisms Happen? Conclusion
Three Different Baptisms	Baptism in Water to put to death the fleshly sin nature (Romans 6:4), in which the believer is fully immersed into water. Baptism by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ upon salvation. This is the Spirit baptism that makes us one (1 Cor. 12:13 cf. Eph. 4:4-6). "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." Eph. 4:30 describes the Holy Spirit as the one with whom we are sealed to the day of redemption, as a result. 2 Tim. 1:14 says, "That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us." So from these two scriptures, the result of being baptized by the Spirit, we have both received a seal, and have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Rather than an indwelling, this is more a "coming upon." Jesus said that the believer would receive power when His Holy Spirit comes upon the believer. "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). In fact, in Joel 2:28,29 and Acts 2:17,18 the prophet Joel prophesies that in the last days God would pour out His spirit upon all flesh. In the Book of Judges, the Spirit of God can be seen coming upon people like Gideon and, especially, Samson. Notice also, in Joel's prophecies, that the Spirit of God is poured out, i.e. from above. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17, emphasis mine). We see here that, in this baptism specifically, believers receive power to be witnesses and the gifts of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor. 12, 13, 14) when the Holy Spirit is poured out by God and comes upon the believer and empowers him. The Holy Spirit is the anointing of God, which, in Old Testament times, was pourred onto kings (1 John 2:27 cx John 14:26, also Isaiah 61:1-3, esp. v.3).
How do these Baptisms Happen?	Let me outline the stages of what a Christian goes through after getting saved, so as to distinguish each of these baptisms in their proper purpose and place in the Christian's life. We'll start with the person repenting of his sins asking Jesus Christ to come into his life. Person repents of his sin, confesses Jesus as his Lord, and gets saved (Rom. 10:9). At that point, the Holy Spirit wells up within us and gives us eternal life (John 4:14) and we receive the seal of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13). The Holy Spirit baptizes us into the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). This is, in a way, the first baptism. Baptism by the Spirit. Now after the Christian grows a little, and he watches people get water baptized. Water baptism (Romans 6:4) is where we destroy our body of sin in a spiritual way by buring ourselves with Christ and rising from our "watery graves" into His resurrection Life. Old habits and addictions and certain things in our character can be dealt away with in the waters of baptism! The goal here is not to get saved, but to overcome the sin nature! This is, in a way, the second baptism. Baptism in Water. And now, finally, is the Baptism in or of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Sprit comes upon you (Acts 1:8) and you receive power. Some immediately begin to speak in other tongues as in Acts 2. This baptism is an intially complete filling of the Holy Spirit. You are now Spirit-filled. Jesus was full of the Spirit. Our aim is to be overflowing. The Holy Spirit is represented by oil in the Old Testament. Our aim is to have our cup running over and overflowing with the Holy Spirit (Psalms 23:5). As the Apostles went forth, having been baptized in the Holy Spirit, they began to heal, perform miracles, and many other incredible things, just as Jesus had done! Now some avoid this baptism because they fear that power brings pride. That is where the fruit of the Spirit must come into balance. There is nothing that is blasphemy in asking the Lord for power to overcome sin, temptation, lusts, etc. for example! Many would argue there are not three baptisms, but one numerically, because of the word "one" in the referenced scriptures, i.e. "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." If that Interpretation were correct, Hebrews 6:2 discussing the elimentary principles of the doctrine of Christ as to include "the doctrine of baptisms" (plural), and would contradict water baptism and Spirit-baptism, and would negate the fact that God, being "one" God, is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. No, the Greek word "one" here is "heis" and is used metaphorically to mean "union" and "concord." Because baptisms (1) and (2) are often confused as numerically one, i.e. the same, it is sometimes incorrectly seen that water baptism is a pre-requisite to salvation. However, we are saved by God's grace alone, and by his wonderful work on the Cross, where is blood was shed for the washing away of our sins.
Conclusion	Beloved, please don't let any denomination or cult (e.g. The Boston Movement, Crossroards, International Church of Christ) use scripture twisting and manipulate you into thinking that if you're not baptized in water you are not saved. That understanding comes from an incorrect mix of the properties of two different baptisms altogether. Visit our Boston Movement section if you are harassed by such people that you are not a Christian - and not a true Disciple - because you are not "doing" the Word in this regard. Hopefully, you are now convinced that each of these baptisms are important. If you confess Christ, you already have been baptized spiritually by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. You are saved. If you are struggling with the sin nature, perhaps its time you took your faith to a more serious level and got water baptized. Not only is it a public demonstration of your inward conviction, but there is something powerful we come into contact with, when we immerse ourselves into the watery grave of baptism with a repentant heart! Finally: do you want to be used of the Lord to overcome the powers of darkness, so that Christ is glorified? You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and baptizes you - not of water, but of His Spirit. If you are at this point and are ready for more teaching, visit our Baptism in the Holy Spirit article!