![]() ![]() Knowing that lengthy discussions about Greek translations are mostly red herrings and of minimal usefulness to English speaking people, following are two other reasons why the baptisms are different despite the preposition. If the verses are reread with any of the prepositional variations that are suggested it remains obvious that the agents and the objects are different. Rather the clearly translated context determines the rightness of the English preposition. Yet, the preposition does not determine the context of the baptism. Although this is an oversimplification in some cases it may be true. Those who wish to make the baptisms the same will say that the words ‘by’ and ‘with’ are interchangeable in the Greek. Some will make much ado about the underlying Greek prepositions in the verses mentioned above. It is most obviously the unique baptism described by Paul in 1 Cor 12 which is performed by the Spirit into Christ. It cannot be the baptism performed by Jesus which was with the Spirit. ![]() This cannot be the water baptism of John which was into water. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” – Romans 6:3 Here, the Spirit is baptizing us into the body (of Christ). “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.” – 1 Cor 12:13 In Paul’s baptism of 1 Cor 12:13, we do not find John or Jesus performing the baptism. Jesus is the agent who performs the baptism with the Spirit. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is not doing the baptism. Jesus is the agent who performs the baptism with fire. John is the agent who performs the baptism with water. One thing is certain: water is never doing the baptism. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Ghost and fire. Jesus performs the second and the third baptism. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” – Matthew 3:11 It clearly delineates who performs the different baptisms. Mathew 3:11 is one of the most useful verses in the doctrine of baptisms. These two baptisms should be separated because of a difference in who is baptizing, who is being baptized, and why they are being baptized. ![]() Yet, just because we read the same word (in Greek or English) it does not mean the context is the same. The reasoning normally does not go further than that both baptisms utilize the Holy Spirit. Yet it is a common mistake to conflate Paul’s baptism by the Spirit and the baptism with the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. No one dare make that water baptism since Paul clearly makes it baptism by the Spirit in 1 Cor 12:13 and Gal 3:27. Paul says there is one baptism (Eph 4:5). ![]()
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