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NASB | Ephesians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, |
Subject: Ephesians 4:5 |
Bible Note: BB- as important as is it to not enter into a useless debate that offers no edifying potential I cautiously ask this. You seem to offer a fine, biblical argument that focues on the Holy Spirit (a person, not a force) as the One who unites believers. Then suddenly you seem to switch geers and say that the "baptism of verse 5 is best considered to refer to water baptism". Was that a typo? If not, how do you arrive at your conclusion please? Water baptism isn't even referenced or inferred in the immediate context. If the text says there is "one baptism" and the focus of the "context" is the unifying work of the Spirit, how would we arrive at water baptism one verse later? Consider again: Ephesians 4:4-6 (KJV) "4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." I believe it fair to argue that these statements in Scripture are speaking of essentials (of which water baptism is not). That is, the triune nature of God and the unifying work of the Spirit as He produces and works faith in us. I'm not looking for debate, but would like clarification. If I'm wrong, I would like to be set right. In all my years as a believer I have always understood this baptism to be that of the unifying work of the Holy Spirit and not water baptism. If this is a debate of the "experts" I have missed it. I have only heard this taught as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Admittedly though, there is much out there that I haven't accessed as of yet. 1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should 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 his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. God bless, Jeff |