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Eph. 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
At first glance, it would seem as though the Scripture is saying that there is only one baptism for the believer. However, there are other baptisms mentioned.
Jn.1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
I Cor.10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
I Cor.12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Gal.3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
We need to look at the Greek wording in the text to find the actual meaning of the Eph.4 passage above:
Eph. 4:4 There is one body, (G 1520) and one Spirit, (G 1520) even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (G 3391) 4:5 One Lord, (G 1520) one faith, (G 1520) one baptism, (G 3391)
(G 1520) a primary numeral; one: — a (-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some.
(G 3391) one or first: — a (certain), + agree, first, one, x other.
4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, - One and only one Lord, One and only one faith, One (first) baptism - common to every believer - baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit. Not every believer has had the opportunity to be water baptized – think of the thief on the cross and who knows of the many martyrs who never had the chance . . .
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Really Know Your Life Giver Scripture Studies
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