In the New Testament, two baptisms are mentioned: water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit.
John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Luke 3:16
These two baptisms – water and Spirit – are fundamental for Christian life and essential for spiritual growth.
“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, of the doctrine of baptisms”
Hebrews 6:1-2a
Baptisms (plural) are part of the elementary principles of Christianity.
Baptism into Christ
In 1 Corinthians 12:13, Paul mentions being baptized into the body of Christ.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
1 Corinthians 12:13
Being baptized into Christ is spoken of in two additional places.
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death
Romans 6:3-4a
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:27-28
When we are baptized, we are immersed in something. When someone baptizes us in water, we are immersed in water. When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we are immersed in the Holy Spirit.
When we are baptized into Christ, we are immersed into Christ and become part of his body.
When do we become a part of Christ?
When we are born again. At the moment of salvation, we become “in Christ” and become a member of his body.
“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus”
1 Corinthians 1:30
“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God”
Colossians 3:3
“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
1 Corinthians 12:27
When we are born again, the Holy Spirit puts us into the body of Christ. This is a supernatural work that happens at the point of salvation.
1 Corinthians 12:13 refers to becoming a part of (or baptized into) the body of Christ. This happens when we’re born again.
Which Baptism?
Which baptism is being referred to when we are baptized into Christ? Is it baptism in water, baptism in the Spirit, or is it even a third baptism – into Christ? The question arises because neither water baptism nor baptism in the Holy Spirit is directly equivalent to being born again. Throughout the Book of Acts, both baptisms are subsequent to salvation.
The first disciples were born again, then baptized in water, and then baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
Saul was born again, then baptized in the Holy Spirit, and then baptized in water (Acts 9:17-18).
The Samaritans were born again, then baptized in the water, and then baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:12-17).
Cornelius’ household was born again, then baptized in the Holy Spirit, and then baptized in water (Acts 10:44-48).
The Ephesian disciples were born again, then baptized in water, and then baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-6).
Both baptism in water and baptism in the Holy Spirit are subsequent to being born again. Yet one of these baptisms is more closely connected to being born again than the other.
The Connection Between Water Baptism and Being Born Again
Throughout the New Testament, being baptized in water is a symbolic equivalent of being born again.
See for example this verse.
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
1 Peter 3:21 KJV
Water baptism does not actually save us, faith in Jesus does. It is possible to be saved without being baptized in water. The thief on the Christ was saved, but he was never baptized in water. And yet, water baptism is so intertwined with the act of salvation that it is said to “save us”.
He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.
Mark 16:16a
Water baptism does not save us, but it symbolically goes hand in hand with being born again.
When we are born again, the Holy Spirit makes us part of the body of Christ. Because of the close connection between being born again and baptized in water, Paul describes water baptism as the point at which we are put into Christ and become a part of his body in 1 Cor. 12:13. Of course we become part of Christ the moment we are born again, but being baptized in water is symbolic of this event.
The Greek Word En
For those who want to study this matter in more detail, it is necessary to look at the original Greek.
The Greek of 1 Corinthians 12:13 says that “En one spirit are we all baptized into one body”.
The Greek word en can be used in multiple ways. Two of the most common meanings for it are in something (location) or by something (as an instrument or means). Whereas English has two different words, in and by, Greek uses only one word – en – for both meanings. Context must tell us whether a specific use of the word en means in or by.
There are many examples en being used for instrumentality throughout the New Testament. Here are a few.
- Matthew 12:28 Jesus casts a demon en/by the Spirit of God
- Matthew 17:21 a demon comes out en/by prayer
- Luke 22:49 strike en/by the sword
- Acts 4:10 healed en/by the name of Jesus
In the following verses, the word en is used two times in two ways – location and instrumentality.
- Acts 7:35 en/by (instrumentality) the hand of the angel which appeared to him en/in (location) the bush
- Colossians 1:16 En/by him (instrumentality) were all things created, that are en/in (location) heaven
Some people point out that when the baptism of the Holy Spirit is spoken of, it also says we are baptized en the Holy Spirit (as in Luke 3:16). They argue that because 1 Cor. 12:13 uses the phrase en one Spirit with connection to baptism, that 1 Cor. 12:13 must be speaking of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Not quite.
When the Bible speaks of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, it refers to being immersed en/in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the location of the immersion. The Holy Spirit is what a person is immersed into. In a similar way baptism in water refers to being immersed en/in water.
1 Corinthians 12:13, however, describes being immersed into the body of Christ. The location of the baptism is the body of Christ, not the Holy Spirit.
In 1 Corinthians 12:13, en describes agency, not location. The Holy Spirit is the agent by which we are baptized into the body of Christ. En Holy Spirit means that by the Holy Spirit (instrumentality) we are baptized into one body (location).
1 Corinthians 12:13 is not referring to being baptized in the Holy Spirit. It refers to being baptized into the body of Christ. And the Holy Spirit is the agent by which we are baptized into Christ and made a part of his body. This happens when we are born again. And being born again in symbolized by water baptism.
1 Corinthians 12:13 is referring to water baptism, which is the New Testament symbol of being born again.
Bethel Cornerstone 