Vol. 03, No. 35 Sept. 1, 2024

Mt. Baker Beacon

Steven J. Wallace
09/01/24 - Mt. Baker Beacon 2024

ONE BAPTISM (1)
Steven J. Wallace

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4-6).¹

Where many today own a pluralistic view of truth, Paul by inspiration speaks of only “one.” Unity is based on one and on what is real, not what is pretended to be. There are as many faiths and baptisms as there are Lords. There is only one Lord, Jesus Christ (Acts 2:36; 10:36; 1 Cor. 8:6). Likewise, the Bible speaks only of one faith and one baptism. Disciples can be unified on what the Bible reveals on these.

What is the “one baptism” of which Paul speaks? Is it Holy Spirit baptism? Is it the baptism of John? Is it a metaphorical baptism of suffering or figuratively being immersed in the word?

The correct identification of this baptism in Ephesians is what the Ephesians themselves did in response to Paul’s teaching. Simply look at the original recipients of the letter to the “Ephesians” and observe their historical conversion to Christ in the book of Acts.

They had previously been baptized into John’s baptism Acts 19:1-3:

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.”

After Paul had explained to them the purpose of John’s baptism, they were baptized “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5). Although John’s baptism was by immersion in water and for the remission of sins,

it had become an invalid baptism and was done away. John’s baptism looked forward to Christ and His cross whereas baptism in the name of the Lord looks back to Christ and the cross.

John’s baptism was preceded by the confession of sins (Mk. 1:5). The one baptism of which Paul speaks is preceded by a confession of Christ (Acts 8:36-38; Rom. 10:9, 10). They are different baptisms of different times and purposes. It necessarily proves: “One cannot be taught wrong and baptized right.”

When these Ephesians found out they were baptized wrong, they didn’t argue with Paul about whether baptism was necessary for salvation or not. They didn’t contend that “one baptism is as good as another.” They didn’t say, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Rather, with humility like that of small children, they took the good step of obedience in being baptized in the name of the Lord. Why is this so important? Because baptism is a command of Christ for salvation (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:20, 21).

Baptism in the name of the Lord is also by immersion in water (Acts 8:38, 39). The Ephesians understood this and would have understood Paul’s statement in Ephesians 5:26 as water baptism, “that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.”

In the next article, we will see how the “one baptism” is not Holy Spirit baptism. We will also see how it is tied to the other six “ones” mentioned by Paul.

Have you been baptized in the name of the Lord?

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BEYOND THE VEIL: What the Bible Says About Recognition and Memory After Death

Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-25

Over the next few lessons with the Bible as our guide, we can strive to answer questions like: “Will we remember our earthly existence after we die?” “Will we recognize Bible saints and each other in the afterlife?” “What about remembering those we love who are lost, and how will this affect our eternity?”

Although dead, who could the rich man recognize, what could he remember, and how does he describe his father’s house (Lk. 16:24-28)?
EXERCISE: Although deceased, how many things could Samuel remember
(1 Sam. 28:11-19)?

*How would you describe the life of King Saul?

Matthew 17:1-8
1. To whom did Moses and Elijah appear, and were they recognizable?
2. Despite living in different eras and locations, do Moses and Elijah recognize each other in the presence of Jesus?
3. Identify some significant passages involving God and mountains.

THOUGHT QUESTION: What follows the manifestation of God’s glory on mountains?

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FACES WE WILL KNOW: The Bible’s Promise of Recognition After Death

Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:50-54

With the Bible as our guide, let’s observe some faces that will be recognized after death.

Give an example of contemporaries knowing each other after death.
Matthew 27:50-54
1. What was opened?
2. Who were the dead that were raised to life after Jesus' resurrection, and where did they go?
3. What does this event teach us about Jesus?
Identify the sequence of four key areas associated with Abraham’s death, and explain what these mean (Gen. 25:7-9).
List other biblical examples that illustrate the same teachings or principles seen in the story of Abraham.
Who did David anticipate being reunited with (2 Sam. 12:15-23)?
Who shall we see, and how shall we see Him (1 Jn. 3:2)?