Many churches teach that Christians have to be baptized to be saved even if they believe in Jesus Christ, which is wrong teaching. The thief that was on the cross did not get baptized but went to heaven.
Baptism can mean many things according to the Bible, as we shall see in this article. We cover seven types of baptism that are mentioned in the Bible and not all are relevant to the Christian faith.
Seven Different Kinds of Baptisms
Baptism in the Red Sea
1 Corinthians 10: 1-2 “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;”
The above verse is not for Christians because it is different from any other Christian doctrine.
Baptism for salvation (Jews who crucified their Messiah)
Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
The above baptism is to receive the Holy Ghost. But it does not apply to Christians.
That’s because this verse was written for the Jews. In the same chapter, this verse was addressed to the Jews. The Jews knew that they crucified their Messiah and were pricked. This was a baptism for crucifying their Messiah.
Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Because God deals with the Jews physically, baptism was required for their salvation. God deals with Christians in a spiritual manner.
1 Corinthians 1:17 “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”
Paul says that he is not called to baptize but to preach. Paul thought that a person can be saved without baptism.
Baptism of water (John the Baptist)
Mark 1:8 “I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”
There are two different baptisms in this verse. John the Baptist knew that his baptism by water was different from Christ Jesus’ and is not with the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 3:6 “And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.”
The location of the baptism with the confession of sins was at Judaea and intended for the Jews (Matthew 3:1). John the Baptist was baptizing them to prepare them to accept the Messiah (Matthew 3:3). Therefore, this is not the same baptism for Christians.
Bible believers do believe that the sacrament of baptism is commanded as an outward expression of faith. But we do not teach that water baptism (or baptism by immersion) is a requirement for salvation. Church of Christ for example teaches this wrong doctrine.
Baptism of fire (lost souls)
Matthew 3:11“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:”
The baptism of Holy Ghost and fire are two separate baptisms. The baptism of fire is for lost souls because of the following verse “Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:12).” This baptism is a language for hell.
Baptism of Holy Spirit (for Christians)
1 Corinthians 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.”
Christians, to be baptized by the Holy Spirit, will have to be in the body of Christ. How does one become part of the body of Christ? By the gospel. We enter newness of life and receive forgiveness of sins through this baptism. This is the only Christian baptism.
Ephesians 3:6 “ That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”
Baptism of Suffering
Jesus mentioned being “baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with” and this was referring to the baptism of suffering (Matthew 20:22-23). James and John asked to be baptized with this baptism, and they did indeed suffer in their lives.
Wrong doctrines associated with Baptism
There are more baptisms in the Bible. However, for the Christian in the church age, there is no connection between salvation and baptism apart from the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Many churches today of different Christian denominations and the LDS church teach that the rite of baptism with water is required for salvation, even for infants. This includes the Eastern orthodox church, episcopal church, Lutheran church, United Methodist Church, Moravian church. As the infant is not able to profess their faith for Jesus Christ, one would question if that is a valid baptism.
On the other hand, the Salvation Army does not endorse all the modes of baptism. Bible believers teach that it is a Christian sacrament to be observed, but our position on baptism is that it has no effect on salvation whatsoever. Learning about the different types of baptism that exist in the Bible helps one to steer from wrong doctrines.