Baptism by Graceson Raymond

GRACESON RAYMOND MINISTRIES
SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?


SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER

BAPTISM?
BY
GRACESON RAYMOND
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the New
King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible
Copy-right © 2023 by Graceson Raymond Ministries

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DEDICATION
I dedicate this book to all ministers of the gospel of grace who have been given
the mandate to propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanks to my family, who has always been supportive in many areas of my life.
If I had to choose a family again, it would still be you.
Pas. Stephen, Pas. Stella, and Pas. Emmanuel, you guys are always playing key
roles in my ministry. I’m forever grateful to you for all your efforts.
Charis members, you are lovely people with a positive mentality. I dedicate this
piece to you for all the support you have been given since day one.

INTRODUCTION
A key challenge for the Bible student is to know what to do with the book (the
Bible), which was written over some thousands of years ago. It is wrong for a
student of the Bible to read his or her own meanings into the Bible. The Bible
student is always required to come out with the intent of the writer by using the
words of the text in scripture through the lens of their original context. This is
referred to as an “exegetical approach” to explaining the Scriptures. The student
is expected to always employ and use various approaches to decode the
meaning of the words and texts of the book, which was written many years ago.
A wise man once said, “The Scriptures cannot mean today what they never
meant when they were originally written.” But what are we seeing today? Many
people subject Bible interpretation to public ideas and the whims of modernity.
This has really led to the wrong kinds of worship on the part of many people.
The reason behind this is that wrong interpretations of the scriptures produce
wrong worship.
2 Timothy 2:15 [ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker

who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ]
Paul instructed Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth. Dividing the word
of truth is what is known as proper Bible study.
This material touches on the topic: “Should the Church practise water baptism?”
This topic is misunderstood and misexplained by many people in Christendom
today. After reading this book, you will discover the truth concerning the topic
under consideration, and this will lead you on a quest for more sound and
healthy doctrines.



THE ORIGIN OF BAPTISM

The word “baptism” and its family words appeared several times in
the Bible. They are found in the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke,
and John), the Book of Acts, and some of the epistles. But note that
they did not appear anywhere in the Scriptures (Genesis to Malachi).
Hebrews 6:1-3 [ 1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the

elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying
again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith
toward God, 2 – of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands,
of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 – And this we
will do if God permits. ]
The writer of Hebrews used the word “baptisms” in verse 2. Note that
the word is in the plural form. This is the only place in the Bible
where “baptism” is used in the plural form. “Baptisms” here is the
translation of the Greek word “baptismos,” which means washings.
Basically, the Book of Hebrews seemed to address Jewish Christians.
Although these people were Christians, most of them were still
following some practices in Jewish religious traditions. Baptisms here
refer to the diverse washings in the Jewish religious tradition. It does
not talk about John’s baptism.
The writer used the same word “baptismos” to refer to diverse

washings in Hebrews 9:10.

Hebrews 9:9-10 [ 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which

both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who
performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—10 –
concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly
ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. ]
The “washings” in Hebrews 9:10 is the explanation for the “baptisms”

(plural form) in Hebrews 6:2. Simply put, the writer of Hebrews used
“baptisms” to refer to the various washings under the Jewish religious
tradition and culture.
The verses below show some of the various washings.
Mark 7:8 [ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the
tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other
such things you do.” ]
They washed cups, pitchers, and other items at the temple for
cleansing and purification.
Exodus 19:10-11 [ 10 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the

people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash
their clothes. 11 – And let them be ready for the third day. For on

the third day the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the
sight of all the people. ]
The people of the nation of Israel were to wash their clothes for
purification.
Leviticus 8:6 [ Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed
them with water. ]
The priests were washed with water for purification and consecration.
Leviticus 14:8-9 [ 8 He who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes,

shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be
clean. After that he shall come into the camp, and shall stay outside
his tent seven days. 9 – But on the seventh day he shall shave all the
hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows—all his hair he
shall shave off. He shall wash his clothes and wash his body in water,
and he shall be clean.]
A person who had recovered from an unclean skin disease had to wash
his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water to be
ceremonially clean.
“Baptisms” (plural form) in Hebrews, therefore, does not refer to water

baptism; it refers to the various washings of the Jews. Water baptism

originated with John (The Baptist), and it is the reason why the word
“baptism” and its family words never appeared in the Scriptures
(Genesis to Malachi). John is the originator of water baptism. Also note
that more than 60% of the usage of the word “baptism” and its family
words are in reference to one person, John the Baptist. This shows how
John the Baptist will be very important in our studies.

JOHN THE PROPHET

As we have established, John is the originator of water baptism. No
wonder he is mostly referred to as John the Baptist in the scriptures.
But you know what? John is more of a prophet than a baptist. The
prophecy about him did not refer to him as a baptist.
Luke 1:76-77 [ 76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the
Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His
ways, 77 – To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the
remission of their sins, ]
In verse 76, Zacharias, John’s father, in his prophecy, called John a

prophet, not a baptist. He plainly stated that the child (John) would be
called the prophet of God. We could see in verse 77 that he would
give knowledge of salvation to His people. The knowledge of
salvation is in Christ. Thus, the ministry of John was to give the
people knowledge about Christ, that is, to reveal Christ to them.
Acts 10:42-43 [ 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people,

and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of
the living and the dead. 43 – To Him all the prophets witness that,
through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission
of sins.” ]

Luke 24:25-27 [ 25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow

of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 – Ought
not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His
glory?” 27 – And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He
expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning
Himself. ]
The Prophets testified about Christ. Just like the Prophets, John was
sent by God to reveal His promise concerning His Son, Jesus Christ,
to Israel.
Luke 7:28 [ For I say to you, among those born of women there is
not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in
the kingdom of God is greater than he.” ]
Jesus described John as the greatest of the prophets who revealed

Christ to Israel in that dispensation. The prophets were rated based on
their revelation of Christ, and among all the prophets under that
dispensation, John’s revelation was the greatest.
John was a Prophet; hence, his message would certainly focus on the
person of Jesus; His sufferings and the glory that should follow.
If John was a prophet, then why was he mostly referred to as John the
Baptist? He was mostly referred to as John the Baptist because of the

practice of water baptism. We will later find out why the Prophet John
baptized people in his ministry.
John 1:29-34 [ 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him,
and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world! 30 – This is He of whom I said, “After me comes a Man who
is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 – I did not know
Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came
baptizing with water.” 32 – And John bore witness, saying, “I saw
the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained
upon Him. 33 – I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize
with water said to me, “Upon whom you see the Spirit descending,
and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy
Spirit.’ 34 – And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of
God.” ]
In verse 31, John himself tells us the reason why he came to baptize.
His baptism was aimed at revealing Christ to himself and Israel.
John 1:31 [ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to
Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” ]
Does John 1:31 mean that water baptism ought to have stopped after
Christ was revealed through baptism? The answer is YES.

Matthew 3:13-16 [ 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the

Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 – And John tried to prevent Him,
saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
15 – But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now,
for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he
allowed Him. 16 – When He had been baptized, Jesus came up
immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened
to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and
alighting upon Him. ]
Some people think every Christian should be baptized since Jesus

himself allowed himself to be baptized. As we have established
already, Jesus being baptized was for a reason. Jesus said in verse 15
that John’s baptism was meant for them (Jesus and John) to fulfil all
righteousness. Jesus did not say, “(All Christians) to fulfil all
righteousness.” The expression “all righteousness” here refers to
prophecy. There was a prophecy that John would reveal Christ. Jesus
came to be baptized so that the prophecy could be fulfilled. When
Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit confirmed Him as the Messiah.
Hence, the prophecy was fulfilled. The practice of water baptism
should have stopped right after Jesus was revealed, for that was the
reason John came to baptize.

NOTE:
1) John’s ministry was not water baptism. He was a prophet,
and his ministry was to reveal Christ. Water baptism was
only a means of revealing Christ.
2) Water baptism should have stopped immediately when

Christ was baptized.
John 1:31 [ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed
to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” ]

JOHN’S MESSAGE
Do you know that John baptized and preached simultaneously? Many

people focus only on the water baptism, leaving aside the message he
preached.
Mark 1:4-9 [ 4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and

preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 –
Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to
him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing
their sins. 6 – Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a
leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 –
And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is
mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down
and loose. 8 – I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize
you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 – It came to pass in those days that
Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in
the Jordan. ]
Additional references
John 1:33
Matthew 3:11
Luke 3:16

John’s message can clearly be seen in verses 7 and 8. In verse 8, John

makes mention of two distinct types of baptisms. These two distinct
types of baptisms are:
1) John’s water baptism
2) Jesus’ Holy Spirit baptism
From the words of John in the above verses, there are two types of
baptisms. It is very clear that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, not
with water. Water baptism belongs to John, while Holy Spirit baptism
belongs to Jesus.
Does this mean that the man who has believed in Christ does not need
to be baptized in water since Christ does not baptize with water? The
answer is a BIG YES.
Let’s consider what Jesus said concerning this in Acts 1:4-5.
Acts 1:4-5 [ 4 And being assembled together with them, He

commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the
Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from
Me; 5 – for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized
with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” ]

Jesus also confirmed that John baptized with water, but those who
would believe in him (Jesus) would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Also, note that the promise of the Father is the Holy Spirit.
John 1:25-31 [ 25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you
baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 –
John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands
One among you whom you do not know. 27 – It is He who, coming
after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy
to loose.” 28 – These things were done in Bethabara beyond the
Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 – The next day John saw
Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world! 30 – This is He of whom I said,
“After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was
before me.’ 31 – I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed
to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”]
In verse 30, John tells us that Jesus is preferred before him. Thus
Jesus is greater than him. If Jesus is greater than John, then which of
the two baptisms is greater? Obviously, the baptism of the Holy Spirit
is greater. John’s water baptism had no saving power. His baptism
was only aimed at revealing Christ, the Saviour who baptizes with the
Spirit.

Matthew 3:1-3 [ 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in

the wilderness of Judea, 2 – and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom
of heaven is at hand!” 3 – For this is he who was spoken of by the
prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.”’ ]
Where is the kingdom of heaven? IN CHRIST! So the expression

“the kingdom of heaven is at hand” simply means the Christ is now
here. The word “repent” is the translation of the Greek word
“metanoeō,” which means “to turn one’s mind or attention from one
thing to another.” John’s message and his baptism were to inform the
people to turn their attention to Christ, who baptizes with the Spirit.
John was to reveal Christ to the people so that they would believe in
Him (Christ) for salvation.
Simply put, water baptism does not save. John practised it to reveal
the Saviour to the people. This is the reason why he preached
alongside the baptism, telling the people to believe in Christ to
receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

WHAT DOES THE WATER SYMBOLIZE?

Understanding the element used in John's baptism is very key to our
studies. The element John used in his baptism was water. Water is
seen across the scriptures as a figurative or symbolic concept for
washing, purification, and newness.
Leviticus 11:28 [ Whoever carries any such carcass shall wash his
clothes and be unclean until evening. It is unclean to you. ]
From the above verse, the man who is touched by a dead animal is to
wash his clothes in a demonstration of purification. Even the man
who had washed would remain unclean until evening.
Leviticus 13:6 [ Then the priest shall examine him again on the
seventh day; and indeed if the sore has faded, and the sore has not
spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is
only a scab, and he shall wash his clothes and be clean. ]
Here, a man or woman infected with leprosy was to wash for

purification.
Leviticus 16:4 [ He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen
trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with
the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments.
Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on. ]

Numbers 19:7 [ Then the priest shall wash his clothes, he shall
bathe in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp; the
priest shall be unclean until evening. ]
The priests also washed in a demonstration of cleansing and

purification.
The Jews were familiar with the use of water for ceremonial
cleansing, purification, and newness. Thus, John ministered to them
as such. The Jews, being familiar with the use of water as stated
above, knew John was performing purification and cleansing. But you
know what? Water only purifies the body outwardly. The ceremonial
cleansing and washings could not purify them spiritually. Likewise,
water baptism can not purify a man from his sins and give him a new
life.
Carefully pay attention to the words of John the Baptist as recorded in

the Book of John.
John 1:29-31 [ 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him,
and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world! 30 – This is He of whom I said, “After me comes a Man who
is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 – I did not know
Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came
baptizing with water.” ]

John, in his preaching, plainly stated that Jesus is the Lamb of God.
The word “lamb” is a figurative expression of Jesus’ sacrifice for sins.
What takes away sin is the sacrifice of Christ, not water. This is
explained in the epistles.
Hebrews 9:22-26 [ 22And according to the law almost all things are
purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no
remission. 23 – Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the
things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly
things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 – For Christ
has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies
of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of
God for us; 25 – not that He should offer Himself often, as the high
priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—
26 – He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of
the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to
put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ]
1Corinthians 15:1-4 [ 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the

gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in
which you stand, 2 – by which also you are saved, if you hold fast
that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 –
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 – and that He

was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the
Scriptures,]
It is the sacrifice of Christ that has the power to purify a man from his
sins.
1Peter 3:21 [ There is also an antitype which now saves us—

baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a
good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, ]
Peter educates us about the baptism that saves. The baptism that saves
is not the one that removes the filth of the flesh. The baptism that
saves is the baptism of the Spirit through faith in Christ.
We can conclude this aspect by establishing that:

1) John’s baptism was aimed at revealing Christ.
2) The element (water) used in John’s baptism symbolizes
cleansing, purification, newness, etc. which are the works of the
Spirit.
3) Water baptism symbolizes the true baptism, which is the Holy
Spirit baptism.
4) Salvation is found in the Spirit, not in water.

DID JESUS BAPTIZE ANYONE WITH WATER?
As we have established, John baptizes with water, but Jesus baptizes

with the Holy Ghost. The question here is: did Jesus ever baptize
anyone in water?
John 3:22 [ After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the
land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. ]
Some people read John 3:22 and conclude that Jesus baptized some
people with water. But you know what? Jesus never baptized anyone
with water. When you continue on just a few more verses from John
3:22, you will read John 4:1–3: [ 1 – Therefore, when the Lord knew
that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more
disciples than 2 – (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His
disciples), 3 – He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. ]
Verse 2 tells us clearly that Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His
disciples did.
Who asked the disciples to baptize? Jesus did not ask the disciples to
baptize people with/in water. The Apostle Paul is the right person to
help us understand this.

1 Corinthians 1:14-18 [ 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you

except Crispus and Gaius, 15 – lest anyone should say that I had
baptized in my own name. 16 – Yes, I also baptized the household of
Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17
– For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not
with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no
effect. 18 – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ]
Did you notice what Paul said in verse 17? Christ did not send Paul to
baptize. Baptism in this context refers to water baptism. You’ll
understand it properly as you read the subsequent pages. Christ did
not send Paul to baptize people in water. He did not send the disciples
either.
The disciples ignorantly baptized people in water. The disciples,

being familiar with the ceremonial washings of the Jews, had in mind
the misconception that water was able to purify and cleanse. They
engaged themselves in the practice because of the misconception they
had in mind.
Note that Jesus did not stop them from practising water baptism. Why
didn’t Jesus stop them if they were not doing the right thing? The
Bible is silent on this, but the below explanation will help us.

Mark 6:7-13 [ 7 – And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to

send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean
spirits. 8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey
except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—9
– but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. 10 – Also He
said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till
you depart from that place. 11 – And whoever will not receive you
nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under
your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will
be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment
than for that city!” 12 – So they went out and preached that people
should repent. 13 – And they cast out many demons, and anointed
with oil many who were sick, and healed them. ]
Jesus commanded the disciples not to take anything for the journey
except staff. But what do we see in verse 13? They disobeyed the
words of Jesus and went on the journey with oil to anoint those who
were sick. Jesus gave them power, but they still took oil. They
disobeyed Jesus in this context?
The disciples, being Jews, had some level of belief in the practices of
the Jews. This is the reason why they even engaged in water baptism
without Jesus asking them to do so. They were influenced by the
knowledge they had from the Jewish traditions and customs on how
water was used for cleansing and purification.

The disciples could not understand many of Christ’s teachings at that

time. No wonder Jesus could not teach them many things but rather
told them to wait for the Spirit, who would guide them into all the
truth.
John 16:12-14 [ 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you
cannot bear them now. 13 – However, when He, the Spirit of truth,
has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on
His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He
will tell you things to come. 14 – He will glorify Me, for He will take
of what is Mine and declare it to you. ]
Jesus did not stop them from baptizing people in water because they
probably could not have even understood Jesus at that time. Even
after the disciples had received the Spirit, with an unrenewed mind,
they continued to practice water baptism, as it is recorded in the Book
of Acts. Do you know that even Paul joined them in the practice of
water baptism? But after he had received revelation knowledge, Paul
said this in 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 1:14-17 [ 14 – I thank God that I baptized none of

you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 – lest anyone should say that I
had baptized in my own name. 16 – Yes, I also baptized the
household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized
any other. 17 – For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach

the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should
be made of no effect. ]

JESUS AND NICODEMUS

John 3:5 [ Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless
one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of
God. ]
Many people have tried to use John 3:5 to support the idea that water
baptism is a requirement for salvation. They say unless one is born of
water, that is, baptized by immersion, they can not enter the kingdom
of God.
We can properly understand the verse by taking into consideration the

word “and.” The word “and” is the translation of the Greek word
“kai.” The word “kai” in Greek can also be used copulatively to mean
“that is.” The word “kai” is used copulatively here. Hence, the text
better reads:
[ Unless one is born of water, that is, the Spirit, he can not enter the
kingdom of God.” ]
The water being referred to in this context is the Spirit. The next verse
will help us understand this better.
John 3:6 [ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit. ]

Jesus did not mention “water” again in verse 6, but rather compared
the “flesh” to the “Spirit.” He spoke of the new birth.
John 3:1-12 [ 1 There was a man of the Pharisees named

Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 – This man came to Jesus by
night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher
come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless
God is with him.” 3 – Jesus answered and said to him, “Most
assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God.” 4 – Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be
born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s
womb and be born?” 5 – Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to
you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the
kingdom of God. 6 – That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and
that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 – Do not marvel that I said
to you, “You must be born again.’ 8 – The wind blows where it
wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes
from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9
– Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things
be?” 10 – Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of
Israel, and do not know these things? 11 – Most assuredly, I say to
you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and
you do not receive Our witness. 12 – If I have told you earthly things
and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly
things? ]

Verse 12 shows that Jesus communicated a spiritual truth to

Nicodemus using a physical thing (water). As I have already
explained, water was used by the Jews for ceremonial cleansing,
purification, etc. Thus, Jesus used water, which Nicodemus was
familiar with, to communicate the true birth of the Spirit to him. Jesus
used water to communicate the works of the Spirit, yet Nicodemus
found it difficult to understand Jesus’ words.

DID JESUS SEND THE DISCIPLES TO GO OUT

AND BAPTIZE PEOPLE WITH WATER AFTER
HIS RESURRECTION?
As we have already established, Jesus did not ask any of his disciples
or any other person to baptize.
Let us consider the following portion of the scriptures:
Mark 16:15-16 [ 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to every creature. 16 – He who believes and is
baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned.]
We have seen that there is the water baptism and also the Holy Spirit
baptism. It is therefore wrong to always see the word “baptism” as
referring to water baptism. There is no mention of water in the verse.
Also, do not forget that John baptizes with water, and Jesus baptizes
with the Holy Spirit.
Belief, not baptism, is the critical issue in this passage. The passage
says that those who do not believe will be condemned; it does not say
that those who do not believe and are not baptized will be condemned.
Obviously, the issue is faith. In verse 15, Jesus instructed the disciples
to go and preach the Gospel. Verse 16 tells us what happens when one
believes in the Gospel. Whoever believes the Gospel is baptized. So

we can say that baptism in verse 16 is a result of faith in the Gospel. It

has nothing to do with water baptism. Spiritual baptism is a result of
faith in Christ through the Gospel. Once a person believes the Gospel,
he or she gets baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:18-19 [ 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them,

saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 – Go
ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ]
First of all, the expression “in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit” is not found in the original manuscript.
Although I can not explain it further in this book, the truth is that it
was wrongly included by the translators. The new KJV italicised the
expression to show that it is not found in the original manuscript.
Salvation is not found in the name of the Father, nor is it found in the
name of the Holy Spirit. Salvation is only found in the name of Jesus.
The verses below point to this truth.
Acts 4:11-12 [ 11 This is the “stone which was rejected by you

builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 – Nor is there
salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven
given among men by which we must be saved.” ]

John 3:16-18 [ 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but
have everlasting life. 17 – For God did not send His Son into the
world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might
be saved. 18 – “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he
who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ]
Philippians 2:9-11 [ 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him

and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 – that at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of
those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 – and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father. ]
Matthew 28:19, therefore, better reads: [ Go ye therefore, and teach

all nations, baptizing them in my name. ]
The word “baptizing” here also does not refer to water baptism since
Christ does not baptize with water. The expression “baptizing them in
my name (Jesus’ name)” refers to the Holy Spirit’s baptism. In this
verse too, the baptism comes right after teaching or preaching the
Gospel. So we can say that baptism here also happens as a result of
faith in Christ through the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 1:14-17 [ 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you

except Crispus and Gaius, 15 – lest anyone should say that I had
baptized in my own name. 16 – Yes, I also baptized the household of
Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17
– For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not
with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no
effect. ]
Paul admitted in verses 14, 15, and 16 that he baptized some people.
He later said in verse 17 that Christ did not send him to baptize but to
preach. Baptism here can only be water baptism. Spiritual baptism
occurs through the preaching of the Gospel. So if Paul was sent by
Christ to preach the Gospel, then it means he was sent to baptize
people with the Holy Spirit, not with water. Paul, during his early
days as an apostle, baptized people in water. But you know what?
After he came to the knowledge of the truth, he boldly proclaimed
that Christ did not send him to baptize.
The baptism of the great commission is via words (teaching or

preaching), for Jesus instructed them to go and baptize men by
teaching or preaching them. As we preach the Gospel, those who
believe are baptized with the Spirit.

BAPTISM IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

There are several passages in Acts that show that the disciples
baptized. Before we take a look at those passages, keep in mind that
there is water baptism and also Holy Spirit baptism. We must
therefore always look at the context in which the word “baptism” or
“baptize” is used to determine the type of baptism.
Acts 2:29-41 [ 29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of

the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is
with us to this day. 30 – Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing
that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body,
according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his
throne, 31 – he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection
of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh
see corruption. 32 – This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are
all witnesses. 33 – Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God,
and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit,
He poured out this which you now see and hear. 34 – “For David
did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: “The LORD
said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 – Till I make Your
enemies Your footstool.”’ 36 – “Therefore let all the house of Israel
know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified,
both Lord and Christ.” 37 – Now when they heard this, they were
cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men
and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 – Then Peter said to them,

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit. 39 – For the promise is to you and to your children, and
to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 –
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying,
“Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 – Then those who
gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three
thousand souls were added to them. ]
Some people read verse 41 and establish that if a person is not

baptized with water, he or she can’t join the church. But did you
notice any mentioning of water? No! Although baptism took place,
water was not mentioned in that context. It is, therefore, wrong to
establish that the people were baptized in water.
FROM VERSE 37-38

What was Peter’s response when the people asked about what was to
be done to be saved? Peter said, “Repent, and let everyone of you be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you
shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The word “repent” means “to
turn your attention from one thing to another.” Peter asked them to
turn their attention to Christ; that is, to believe in Christ. What is the
result of believing in Christ, according to the scripture under
consideration? Remission of sins! Note that remission of sins is not
received as a result of being baptized in water. Water does not have

the power to wash or cleanse man from his sins. It is the sacrifice of
Christ that takes away sin (Read John 1:29). The baptism being
referred to is spiritual baptism.
FROM VERSE 41
Verse 41 is a clear indication that the baptism that took place was
spiritual. The expression “those who received his word were
baptized” points out that the message Peter preached to them was the
Gospel. What kind of baptism takes place when people hear and
believe the Gospel? The baptism with the Spirit! The latter part of
verse 41 says that about three thousand souls were added to the
Church that day. Could the apostles have baptized all those people in
water that day? The truth is that they were baptized spiritually when
they believed the Gospel.
Acts 19:1-6 [ 1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that

Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus.
And finding some disciples 2 – he said to them, “Did you receive the
Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not
so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 – And he said to
them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into
John’s baptism.” 4 – Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a
baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe
on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 –

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus. 6 – And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit
came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. ]
Paul met some people who had been baptized with water but had not
received the Spirit. Verse 2 clearly shows that the people did not hear
the Gospel. They were only baptized with water.
Let us read verses 4 and 5 again.
Acts 19:4-5 [ 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a

baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe
on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 –
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus. 6 – And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit
came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.]
After they believed Paul’s words, they got baptized. Note that this
baptism is not of water but of the Spirit. They had already been
baptized in water before they met Paul. The baptism that took place
happened immediately after they heard and believed the Gospel. They
were baptized spiritually immediately after they believed the Gospel.
Although they were baptized spiritually, the Holy Spirit had not yet
fallen upon them. Paul had to lay hands on them for the Spirit to come

upon them. The Spirit falling upon a man is different from the Holy
Spirit baptizing a man through faith in the Gospel. This is properly
taught and explained in my book titled “The Baptism of the Holy
Spirit.” What we want to establish for now is that the baptism that
took place in Acts 8:12–13 was spiritual, not physical (water
baptism).
Acts 8:35-38 [ 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at

this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 – Now as they went down
the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here
is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 – Then Philip
said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered
and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 – So he
commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the
eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. ]
The key element here is faith. Verse 35 tells us that Philip preached
Christ to the eunuch. Note that it was the eunuch who asked Philip to
baptize him with water (Read verse 36). Philip’s focus was not on the
water baptism; rather, his focus was on the faith of the eunuch in the
Gospel. Philip’s words in verse 37 show clearly that it is faith in
Christ that saves, not water baptism. Since the baptism of the Spirit is
by faith in the Gospel, it means the eunuch got baptized spiritually
even before he was baptized in water. The water baptism did not play

any role in his salvation because he (the eunuch) was already saved
by faith in the Gospel before he was baptized in water.
Acts 10:46-48 [ 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and
magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 – “Can anyone forbid water,
that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit
just as we have?” 48 – And he commanded them to be baptized in
the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. ]
Did you notice that all those who were baptized with water here were
people who had already received the Spirit? This means that they had
already believed the Gospel and been baptized spiritually. They were
already saved before they were baptized in water. They were saved
because they had received the Spirit. Roman 8:9 throws more light on
this.
Romans 8:9 [ But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed
the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the
Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ]
Does the man who has already received the new birth still need water
to be saved? The answer is a BIG NO! But you know what? Peter still
went on to baptize the people with water.
Acts 16:27-34 [ 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep
and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled,

drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 – But Paul called
with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all
here.” 29 – Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down
trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 – And he brought them out and
said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 – So they said, “Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your
household.” 32 – Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and
to all who were in his house. 33 – And he took them the same hour
of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all
his family were baptized. 34 – Now when he had brought them into
his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed
in God with all his household. ]
What was the reply from the apostles when they were asked about
what was to be done to be saved? They said, “Believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Did
they mention water baptism? No! The only requirement for salvation
is faith in Christ.
Let us also consider Peter’s explanation of how men are saved.
Acts 15:7-9 [ 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose
up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good
while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles
should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 – So God, who

knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit,
just as He did to us, 9 – and made no distinction between us and
them, purifying their hearts by faith. ]
FROM VERSE 7
Peter was chosen by God to preach the Gospel for the people to hear
and believe. Peter was not chosen to baptize people with water.
FROM VERSE 8-9

God purified those who believed the Gospel by the Holy Spirit. There
is no mentioning of water baptism in this context. God purifies us by
His Spirit through faith in the Gospel.
From the above explanations, we can make the following deductions:

1) Not all the baptisms recorded in the Book of Acts are water
baptisms. Spiritual baptism also took place as the Gospel was
preached.
2) The people who were baptized with water were not saved through
the water baptism. They were saved by faith in the Gospel. The key
elements are the Gospel and faith. All those who were saved were
saved by faith in the Gospel.
The Book of Acts is an eye witness accounts of the practices and the
general life of the early church. Although the apostles practised water

baptism in the Book of Acts, they did not establish it as a doctrine that
should be taught and practised by the church. Also, the Early Church,
as seen in the Book of Acts, was still growing in knowledge. The
Church we find in Acts is one developing in her practices. This makes
most of their practices in Acts not normative. The church later well
understood baptism over time. Let us consider how the apostles taught
and explained baptism in the Epistles.

BAPTISM IN THE EPISTLES
So far, we have seen that the Early Church in Acts was a church that
was still developing in her practices, and that is why they continued to
baptize people in water. But let us consider how the Apostles taught
baptism in the various epistles.
First of all, let us investigate the Apostle Paul.
Romans 6:3-8 [ 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were

baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 –
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death,
that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 – For if we
have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we
also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 – knowing this,
that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might
be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 –
For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 – Now if we died
with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,]
Note that Brother Paul did not mention water. He said that believers
have been baptized into Christ. Christ does not baptize with water but
with the Spirit. Thus to be baptized into Christ means to be baptized

with the Spirit. The above portion of scripture has nothing to do with
water baptism.
Ephesians 4:4-5 [ 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you
were called in one hope of your calling; 5 – one Lord, one faith, one
baptism; ]
In verse 5, Paul talks about one baptism. This baptism can not be
water baptism. Paul is referring to baptism in Christ. In Christ, there is
one baptism, which is the baptism with the Spirit. This is the baptism
that makes all believers sons of God.
Colossians 2:11-12 [ 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the

circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins
of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 – buried with Him in
baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in
the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. ]
Paul says in verse 11 that believers have been circumcised, with the
circumcision made without hands. This means believers are
circumcised spiritually. Likewise, believers are baptized spiritually
with the Spirit, not with water.

1 Corinthians 1:17 [ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to

preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ
should be made of no effect. ]
Christ did not send Paul to baptize with water. He did not send us
either. We are to preach the gospel so that all who believe will be
baptized with the Spirit.
Let us also investigate Brother Peter on this issue.
1Peter 3:20-21 [ 20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the

Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was
being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved
through water. 21 – There is also an antitype which now saves us—
baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a
good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, ]
Verse 21 talks about a baptism that saves. The baptism that saves is
not the one that outwardly removes the filth of the body but the
baptism that happens by faith in Christ. The baptism that happens by
faith in Christ is spiritual baptism.

THE WORDS OF PAUL IN 1 CORINTHIANS 12:13
1Corinthians 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. ]
The Holy Spirit is the agent who places believers in the body of
Christ. “Baptized” here is not water baptism but Spirit baptism.
Believers receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the point of

salvation. Spirit baptism, in this context, takes place when the Holy
Spirit places the believer into the body of Christ.
The word “all” means that there is no such thing as a Christian whom
the Holy Spirit does not baptize into the body of Christ. If the Holy
Spirit does not baptize a person into the body of Christ, then that
person is not a Christian (Romans 8:9). “All” means that there are no
exceptions. The Holy Spirit places all believers without exception in
the body of Christ.
Romans 8:9 [ But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed
the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the
Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ]

It was the Holy Spirit who caused our baptism. It is not something we
did or do. We are only receivers. How do we receive the baptism of
the Spirit? By faith in the Gospel! You were baptized by the Spirit
into Christ the day you believed the Gospel.
IN CHRIST, WE ARE ALL BAPTIZED BY THE SPIRIT, NOT

WATER.

HOW AND WHEN IS A MAN SAVED?

John 3:16 [ For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but
have everlasting life. ]
First and foremost, salvation is not about giving one’s life to Christ.
Salvation is not giving oneself to Christ; rather, it is receiving the
provision of God in Christ. The above verse tells us that God loved
the world, and He gave us His Son. God freely and unconditionally
gave His Son to the world. It is very vital to note that the unsaved
have nothing to give. We were dead in our trespasses. Thus, we could
not have had a life to give. We had nothing to give. It was God who
quickened us (made us alive). We were only receivers of the life.
Ephesians 2:8-9 [ 8 For by grace you have been saved through

faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 – not of
works, lest anyone should boast. ]
Salvation is by grace; that is, it is freely given. Our role is to receive.
But the question is: how do we receive the gift of salvation? Do we

receive the gift through water baptism?

2 Timothy 3:15 [ and that from childhood you have known the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus. ]
From Paul’s words in the above verse , salvation is through faith in

Christ Jesus. Believing in Christ is believing in the Gospel.
Romans 1:16 [ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it

is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the
Jew first and also for the Greek. ]
What is the Gospel?
1Corinthians 15:1-4 [ 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the

gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in
which you stand, 2 – by which also you are saved, if you hold fast
that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 –
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 – and that He
was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the
Scriptures,]
The Gospel is the message of Christ’s sufferings and the glory that
followed. Thus, to believe in the Gospel is to believe in the message
of Christ’s finished work, that is, His death, burial, and resurrection.

Once a person believes in the message, he gets baptized with the

Spirit. This is what Jesus meant when he instructed the disciples to go
and baptize people by preaching or teaching them. Spiritual baptism
occurs through the preaching of the Gospel.
Romans 1:16 [ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it

is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the
Jew first and also for the Greek. ]
GOD’S POWER FOR SALVATION IS THE GOSPEL, NOT

WATER.

WHAT ABOUT THE CRIMINAL ON THE CROSS?

One of the criminals who were crucified with Christ died, mocking
Jesus. The other criminal, in his agonizing moments, realized that
Jesus was the Messiah, repented, trusted in Him, and was promised by
Jesus: “Truly, I say to you, today you’ll be with Me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:24). The criminal was saved. That is the clear meaning of
Jesus’ words. But how was the criminal saved? He was saved by faith
without being baptized in water.
However, some folks believe there is a difference between the

criminal and us. They believe he was saved without a water baptism
since there was no water available for baptism. It’s really funny to
think that way. First and foremost, Jesus even did not baptize anyone
with water. Also, John the Baptist made it clear that Jesus baptizes
with the Holy Spirit, not with water. So why would you even think of
Jesus baptizing that man with water? God does not have different
ways of saving men. Salvation has always been a result of faith in the
Gospel.
As we have established earlier, water baptism originated with John.

But do you know that God justified some people in the Old Testament
before water baptism came into the picture? All who were, are, or will
be saved are saved by grace through faith.
Abraham believed the Lord, and he was justified (Genesis 15:6). Abel
was justified by faith (Hebrews 11:4). Abraham and the other men of

faith in the Old Testament were justified by faith without water

baptism.
Read the words of Paul in the verse below.
Ephesians 2:8 [ For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ]
Salvation was, is, and will always be by grace through faith. Water
baptism is not a requirement.

CHRIST IS THE REALITY
Some people say that the work of the Spirit (Holy Spirit baptism) and
the act of water baptism are simultaneous—that the Holy Spirit works
in and through water baptism to bring regeneration and salvation.
We have already established the following:

1) John’s baptism (water baptism) was aimed at revealing Christ
to John himself and Israel.
2) The water used in John’s baptism symbolizes cleansing,
purification, newness, etc. which are the works of the Holy Spirit
(baptism of the Holy Spirit).
3) John’s message was that the people should believe in Him who
baptizes with the Holy Spirit (Christ) for salvation.
It is obvious that John’s baptism, the element he used in his baptism

(water), and his message all point to Christ.
Water baptism symbolizes the baptism of the Spirit in Christ.
Salvation is not found in types, symbols, figures, or shadows but in

the reality. Christ's baptism, which is the baptism with the Holy
Ghost, is the reality.
There is no need to go after types, symbols, figures, or shadows when
reality arrives. Would you like to look at a person’s shadow for
identification while the person himself sits right in front of you?

Symbols and realities do not move side by side. Symbols take charge
when reality is not available. Symbols and figures are no longer
important or useful when reality is available. Water baptism was just
a shadow of the baptism of the Spirit in Christ. When Christ
resurrected, the Spirit became available to all believers. Today we
have the real water, which is the Holy Spirit, so there is no need to go
after water baptism.
Colossians 2:16-17 [ 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink,

or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 – which are a
shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. ]
The words of Brother Paul in the above verses are helpful. He tells us
not to allow anyone to judge us by things that are only shadows
because we are in Christ, and the substance (reality) is Christ. Water
baptism is just a shadow, but the reality is Christ. In Christ, we are
baptized with the Spirit.

SUMMARY
● ETERNAL SALVATION IS AT THE POINT OF FAITH
The Bible teaches that justification takes place at the point of faith in
the Gospel. At the point of faith in the Gospel, a person is said to be
saved (Acts 16:31), given eternal life (John 3:16), made a child of
God (Galatians 3:26, John 1:12), transferred from death to life
(John 5:24), justified (Romans 3:28, Romans 5:1), given the
righteousness of God (Romans 4:35, Philippians 3:9), forgiven
(Acts 10:43, Luke 7:48-50), etc.
Those who believe that baptism is necessary for salvation will agree
that a person must have faith in the Gospel to be saved, but they want
to add that after faith in the Gospel, it is necessary to be baptized in
water to be saved. The Scripture, however, does not teach that one
must believe, be baptized in water, or behave a certain way to be
saved. It teaches that a person is saved at the point of faith in the
Gospel.
Let us consider this illustration. Let us assume that Ray genuinely

believed in Christ through the gospel. Then he was ushered into a
room where he could be baptized, but before the baptism in water, he
died of a sudden heart attack. Was Ray saved or not? He was saved

because he had believed the Gospel. The water had nothing to add to
the salvation he had already received.
● WATER BAPTISM IS NOT PART OF THE GOSPEL
Water baptism is not part of the gospel. In 1 Corinthians Paul said,

“for Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (1
Corinthians 1:17). Clearly, if Paul was sent to preach the gospel and
was not sent to baptize, then the gospel and water baptism are two
different things.
According to Paul’s definition of the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3–

4, the gospel is the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of
Christ. Water baptism is never mentioned! The gospel is the power of
God unto salvation (Romans 1:16), and it does not include water
baptism (1Corinthians 1:17; 15:3–4). All that is necessary is for a
person to hear the gospel and believe Jesus Christ for eternal life.
● SPIRITUAL BAPTISM PLACES BELIVERS INTO

CHRIST
Individuals who are steeped in the doctrine of baptismal regeneration

will bring up specific verses to prove that water baptism is a
requirement for salvation. Some of the verses they use do not refer to
water baptism at all. In order to think through this subject, one of the
first things a diligent student of the Bible must do is distinguish

between water baptism and spiritual baptism. The baptism of John is

different from the baptism of the Spirit. In Acts 19, Paul told some
disciples of John the Baptist who were baptized by John that they
should believe in Christ, and when they did, they were baptized in the
name of the Lord Jesus (the baptism with the Spirit) (Acts 19:1-5).
1 Corinthians 12:13 states, for by one Spirit, we were all baptized
into one body. This spiritual baptism takes place at the point of faith,
not at the point of water baptism. The baptism in Romans 6 is
spiritual baptism. When Paul speaks about being baptized into Christ
Jesus (Romans 6:3), he is speaking about spiritual baptism. 1
Corinthians 12:13 explains that it is spiritual baptism, not water
baptism, that puts us into Christ, and Acts 10:43–48 and Acts 11:15–
16 demonstrate that spiritual baptism takes place at the point of
faith—not at the point of water baptism. The baptism in Ephesians 4
is spiritual baptism. In Ephesians 4:5, Paul refers to one baptism. It
was at Ephesus that Paul demonstrated by his practice that there were
two water baptisms (Acts 19:1–5). Therefore, the only thing that
would have made sense to the Ephesians is that the one baptism Paul
refers to in Ephesians 4 is spiritual. The baptism in Colossians 2:12 is
spiritual baptism. It is spiritual baptism that places us in Christ, and
spiritual baptism takes place at the moment of faith in Christ.

CONCLUSION
The purpose of John’s water baptism was to reveal Christ. Water
baptism, therefore, should have stopped immediately after Christ was
revealed through it. It should not have continued at all. The practice
of water baptism continued because the Jews, who valued the
ceremonial washings, saw baptism as sacred and a way of purifying
themselves. They cherished water baptism because they saw it as in
line with their ceremonial washings. But from what we have studied
so far, water can only purify a person physically or outwardly. The
true water that cleanses and purifies a man is the Spirit. John’s water
baptism was not the true baptism. It was only a shadow of the true
baptism, which is of the Spirit. If remission of sins and newness of
life come through water baptism, then Christ died in vain. Water
baptism was the shadow, but baptism with the Spirit is the reality.
Shadows and realities do not move together. Shadows are relevant
only in the absence of reality. All types, shadows, and figures became
of no importance when Christ resurrected. What we have in Christ are
realities, not shadows, for Christ is the substance (the reality).
There is only one baptism in Christ, which is the baptism with the
Holy Spirit. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is described in various
places in the Bible as the Spirit “poured out upon”, “falling upon”,
“clothed with”, “coming upon” people. These descriptions of the
baptism with the Holy Spirit are taught and explained in my book
titled “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Get a copy for yourself.

The focus of the Church should be on baptizing people with the Holy
Spirit. We should concentrate on preaching the Gospel, putting aside
water baptism, for Christ did not send us to baptize but to preach the
Gospel.
1Corinthians 1:17 [ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to

preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of
Christ should be made of no effect. ]
BLESSED ARE YOU!


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Changing Lives without Boundaries.” Become a partner of Graceson
Raymond Ministries by supporting us financially or materially every
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ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
Since we are one with Christ, our mission is united with His.
God wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth (Christ). The desire of the Father is our mission. Thus, we are
dedicated to reaching out to men with the gospel of salvation, and to
teaching and training believers into maturity in Christ for the work of
ministry.
Christ is our focus, therefore we teach and preach Christ (the Word)
alone. We will see the earth covered with the knowledge of Christ for
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GRACESON RAYMOND MINISTRIES

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER

Copy-right © 2023 by Graceson Raymond Ministries

GRACESON RAYMOND MINISTRIES

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

2 Timothy 2:15 [ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

THE ORIGIN OF BAPTISM

Hebrews 6:1-3 [ 1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the

The writer used the same word “baptismos” to refer to diverse

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

Hebrews 9:9-10 [ 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which

The “washings” in Hebrews 9:10 is the explanation for the “baptisms”

The verses below show some of the various washings.

Exodus 19:10-11 [ 10 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

Leviticus 14:8-9 [ 8 He who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes,

“Baptisms” (plural form) in Hebrews, therefore, does not refer to water

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

JOHN THE PROPHET

In verse 76, Zacharias, John’s father, in his prophecy, called John a

Acts 10:42-43 [ 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people,

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

Luke 24:25-27 [ 25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow

Jesus described John as the greatest of the prophets who revealed

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

Matthew 3:13-16 [ 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the

Some people think every Christian should be baptized since Jesus

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

2) Water baptism should have stopped immediately when

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

Do you know that John baptized and preached simultaneously? Many

Mark 1:4-9 [ 4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

John’s message can clearly be seen in verses 7 and 8. In verse 8, John

Let’s consider what Jesus said concerning this in Acts 1:4-5.

Acts 1:4-5 [ 4 And being assembled together with them, He

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

Matthew 3:1-3 [ 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in

Where is the kingdom of heaven? IN CHRIST! So the expression

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

WHAT DOES THE WATER SYMBOLIZE?

Here, a man or woman infected with leprosy was to wash for

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

The priests also washed in a demonstration of cleansing and

Carefully pay attention to the words of John the Baptist as recorded in

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

1Corinthians 15:1-4 [ 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

1Peter 3:21 [ There is also an antitype which now saves us—

We can conclude this aspect by establishing that:

SHOULD THE CHURCH PRACTISE WATER BAPTISM?

DID JESUS BAPTIZE ANYONE WITH WATER?