1 Cor 12:13 “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”
When Paul said, “by one Spirit,” did he mean that the Spirit was: 1. the medium in which we were baptized, or 2. the Agent Who directed us to be baptized?
Heb 10:23-31 “counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing...”
His Blood purchased our salvation – Eph 1:7 Conveyed to kingdom, redeemed through His Blood – Col 1:13,14 The Precious Blood – 1 Peter 1:17-19 Christ died to cleanse the church – Eph 5:25,26 When we are baptized, we enter into Christ’s death – Romans 6:3-11 Does Christ’s Blood Matter? Does Christ’s Blood Matter?
Christ’s death (blood) brought us to life. How can we take advantage of that death? Through baptism. Rom 6:3,4 Baptism washes away sins. Acts 22:16 Col 2:11-13 – Baptism is the working of God. So then...
Or when a “Christian” says that baptism can be altered from a burial (immersion) to sprinkling or pouring, then Is this not contempt for what Baptism represents? Heb 10:23-31 Is this not contempt for what Baptism represents? Heb 10:23-31
Empty false religion will not last. Matthew 15:12-13 “Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.”
Purchased at a cost beyond price, God’s kingdom will last forever. Heb 12:28-29 “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.”
Let’s review conversions in the Bible
Peter taught them. But Peter was being guided by the Holy Spirit Acts 2:4, Just as Jesus had promised – Acts 1:8 Therefore, the Holy Spirit was the Agent Who moved these people to be baptized into one body.
Philip taught him But Philip was being guided by the Holy Spirit And what Philip taught was the Word of God, which came by the Holy Spirit – 2 Pet 1:19-21 Therefore, the Holy Spirit was the Agent Who moved the eunuch to be baptized. The medium in which the eunuch was baptized was water.
Peter commanded them. But Peter was being guided by the Holy Spirit The Spirit coming upon the household was not the baptism commanded, because the command came afterwards as a result of the Spirit’s evidence of acceptance of Cornelius’ household Therefore, the Holy Spirit was the Agent Who directed these people to be baptized. The medium in which they were baptized was water.
Paul taught them the word of God. Thus the Agent Who led them to believe and be baptized was the Holy Spirit.
Are led to this understanding by the Words of the Bible. Got Faith from the Words, Rom 10: Got Words from the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor 2:9-13. When people heard the Words from the Spirit, they believed and were baptized in water. Rom 6:3,4. No exceptions.
The Spirit is the Agent by Whom people come to know they need salvation and the way to gain that salvation. Baptism in water is the medium in which people came in contact with the death of Christ. So, in 1 Cor 12:13, the Spirit is the Agent of baptism, but not the medium.
Why? Acts 2,8,10,16,22.
Acts 2: “That same day” Acts 8: “look, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Acts 10: “Can any man forbid water?” Peter was asking “Is there any reason not to baptize these people right now?” Acts 16: “in the same hour of the night” Acts 22:16 - “Why are you waiting?” How Did They Know So Quickly?
Baptism stood between them and... being saved – Mk 16:16, 1 Pet 3:21 the forgiveness of sins – Acts 2:38 the removal of sins – Acts 22:16 having a new life – Rom 6:3,4 being in Christ – Gal 3:27 being in the church - 1 Cor 12:13 being a child of God – Gal 3:26,27 All spiritual truth comes through the Spirit’s Words in the Bible, so they knew quickly what they needed. NoGuessing
Water is the Medium He wants us to use.