Before I get to the one and only Christian baptism for today, I need to lay some groundwork of understanding concerning John the Baptist’s water “baptism unto repentance” for the Israelites of His and Jesus’ day only.

In reading the history of Israel and Judah, we see one generation after another backsliding against the Lord. God told Hosea, "My people are bent to backsliding from me..." (Hosea 11:7) When John the Baptist appeared as Christ’s forerunner, God’s still chosen people at that time was Israel, under “the law of Moses.” But for fifteen hundred years they had not kept it and actually killed God’s prophets. So John’s call to Israel was to now “repent and be baptized (in water) for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4). John’s call to repentance and water baptism was the initial requirement for the salvation of the Israelites.

At that time, as it had been for thousands of years, there was a stark distinction between Jews and Gentiles. John and Jesus of Nazareth declared that that “the kingdom of heaven was at hand.” Jesus preached “the gospel of the Kingdom” to His brethren, Israel. At that time Jews could never even mingle or speak with a Gentile. In fact, Jesus said He had come “only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24) and that His Twelve Apostles were to go “not in the way of the Gentiles, but rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:5-6). The “kingdom” had been long promised only to Israel, not promised to the Gentiles. Israel’s great commission with “the gospel of the Kingdom” is a Jewish commission and not a “body of Christ” commission for us today.

Thus, John’s baptism in water was “unto repentance” and strictly Jewish. 

“I indeed baptize you (Jews) with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me (Jesus) is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” (Mat. 3:11).

Jesus’ disciples were no doubt baptized by John and thereby marked as those among His “little flock.”

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

What is this “Little Flock” and what its significance? Jesus’ “Little Flock” consisted of His disciples; they were 1) of the line of Abraham, circumcised, and 2) they were baptized with John’s baptism “unto repentance.” The “repentance,” indicated by John’s baptism was the mark or sign of all those who had become members of Jesus’ “Little Flock” of Messianic believers.

Consider here the progression among Israel unto the members of Jesus’ “little flock.”

1. With evil prevailing among all mankind, God called out one man, Abram, through whom He would “bless” all mankind. He would do this through Abraham’s physical “seed,” his human lineage, of whom would become the Nation Israel. He was a pagan idol worshipper, of Ur of the Chaldees (Iraq). Abram was to leave all and follow Him. With that, God made a one-sided, covenant or promise, He then called him “Abraham,” saying; “…in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 12:3)
2. Then later, Abraham was required to be circumcised, as the mark in his foreskin that signified his further commitment to walk with the Lord. God told Abraham to circumcise himself, his household and his slaves as an everlasting covenant in their flesh. Those who were not circumcised were to be 'cut off' from their people (Gen. 17:10-14). The mark of circumcision was as a further refining and defining of those of Israel who would walk with the Lord. Thus circumcision was required of all the male children of Israel who constituted the Nation Israel.
3. Then we come to John’s baptism in water as a further refining and defining of those who would follow the now incarnated Lord Jesus, toward “the kingdom of heaven,” which Jesus preached was now “at hand.” John’s baptism “unto repentance,” because Israel had been consistently rebellious, even killing the Lord’s prophets who were His messengers of warning to Israel.

Those who were “baptized with water” now were among Jesus’ “Little Flock” of true believers. We might say they were as a third wave of Israel’s believers, however small in number they were. They were defined as such by John’s water baptism. Though these men were then 1) “of the seed of Abraham,” and 2) “circumcised,” now 3) they were also “baptized unto repentance.”

Similarly, as we see among Christendom today, there is; 1) the whole mass of people who call themselves Christians, but then 2) there are those who are regenerated, born of God’s “seed,” and then 3) there are sincere believers who endeavor to walk by Christ “Spirit of life” alone as their all, “according to the revelation of the mystery” (Rom 16:25).

Note that in Matt. 3:11 John mentions three baptisms; one wet, one spiritual, and one was with fire. There are many baptisms in the Bible, but John’s is a water baptism, signifying a Jews “repentance.”

In the Bible Israel was called to experience a few dry baptisms, and then John’s wet baptism. By contrast, Paul’s “one baptism” (Eph 4:5) is totally different from John’s. Paul is “the (one) Apostle to the Gentiles,” the “body of Christ,” Paul said; “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. (1 Cor. 1:17). No human can perform this “baptism.” Paul wrote of the “one baptism” for today is dry, as seen in the verse immediately below.

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized (placed) into one body (of Christ), 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)

Paul says “the church the body of Christ” also has a different eternal destiny than Israel’s. And Paul gave “the body of Christ,” a different commission (2 Cor 5:20). Today we are “Christ’s ambassadors” while we are on earth because… our destiny, home and citizenship is “in heaven” (cf. Philippians 3:20-21).

But today, as in Paul’s day, most Christian teachers have substituted other messages from that which committed by the Lord to Paul. They promote “the Law of Moses,” and the instruction of Jesus of Nazareth to “the lost sheep of the House of Israel, the “Sermon on the Mount,” the so-called “great commission”; all then mixed with Paul’s grace message. This is what has confuses and divides the Church, ripening it for the apostasy (falling away) from the fundamentals of the faith we see today.

With all the confused thinking about the place of John’s baptism, the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, all of which belong to Israel, its little wonder that about 100 years ago modernism swept in with its liberal false teachings about Jesus of Nazareth, the Man of Galilee, following his footsteps, imitation of Jesus, social betterment, political reform, etc.

But when we mistake the real “gospel of the grace of God” (Act 20:24) for ‘social gospel’ of today, we can be caught up in the great error that pervades the mass of Christendom today. Sadly, many weak but genuine Christians have been so taken with the social gospel, eager to help make the world a better place to live in, that they don’t even notice that the modernists they’ve joined deny the very fundamentals of the Christian faith, the blood and His cross.

Perhaps its greatest danger lies in the fact that while claiming to be “conservative,” the current neo-evangelicals minimize the importance of ‘the fundamentals’ of “the faith” that we get only from Paul as “the Apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom 11:13). Thus, we see many apostatizing from the truth. Paul foresaw this danger and thus was bold in his instruction to Timothy with the Holy Spirit inspired words of the Apostle Paul: “Charge some that they teach no other doctrine (than Paul had taught them).”

Sadly, the church has suffered the great loss of Paul’s grace gospel, its truths and doctrines, by which Christ is not only our Savior from judgment but also “Christ is ALL” (Col 3:11). Christ is all to every believer, even while we may not yet realize it, but He is all to us from the moment we receive Christ as Savior. Not only do believers receive Christ’s salvation, but simultaneously they receive “the fullness of the Godhead” in Christ. The indwelling “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1a), makes believers “complete in Him” (Col 2:10). Today believers have need of nothing except the knowledge of the truth of Paul’s gospel for today. These truths make believers; know they are eternally secure, and truth empowers them to live righteously, and be without condemnation when they may fall short.

Let’s now consider Paul’s words concerning the one and only true Christian baptism for today.

“For By One Spirit Are We All Baptized Into One Body (Of Christ), 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)

“There is … ⁵ One Lord, one faith, ONE Baptism,” (Ephesians 4:4-5)

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were Baptized Into His Death? ⁴Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism Into Death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4)

Our ‘one baptism’ in today’s age of “the grace of God” is clearly seen in the verses above. They reveal that our “one baptism” is into His “one body” and “His death.” Our baptism is by the operation of the “One Spirit” (Eph 4:4) into “the body of Christ,” thus we were “with Him” in “His death”; and so we today are thereby with Him in His “resurrection” life.

We today are fully “saved by grace alone, though faith alone (in Christ alone), NOT of works” rites or rituals (Eph. 2:8-9). We “are NOT under the law but under grace” (Rom 6:14). Under grace, our genuine good works are to simply be the fruit of our having received Christ’s righteous LIFE, now operating through us… “by grace, through faith.” Our good works are not the root, but rather the fruit of our new co-operative life-union relationship with the Lord. If our salvation and works were of ‘our works,’ then these could NOT be of called ‘grace’… since grace means ‘a free gift.’

“And if By Grace, then is it NO More of Works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace…” (Romans 11:6)

Now note that John not only required water baptism, but baptism with other acceptable works as evidence of repentance. This was indeed a performance based acceptance system. John was so serious that when the thoughtless multitude came to him to be water baptized… he sent many back, saying:

“Bring forth fruits (your works) worthy of (deserving to be counted as) repentance” (Luke 3:7-8).

These Jews had to show forth the product of their commitment to establish their “repentance.” Their lives had to change and they were to show it. This “repentance” standard of having to provide “fruits” first was a high bar that nobody but the Lord really could keep. Listen here to the demands.

1. When the people asked: “What shall we do, then?” John told them to live for others rather than for themselves. “He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.”  (Luke 3:10-11).
2. The tax collectors asked: “What shall we do?” John demanded that they stop cheating the tax-payers and live honestly (Luke 3:12-13).
3. The soldiers asked: “What shall we do?” he told them to refrain from violence, false accusation, and bribery. “And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.” (v14).

Clearly, under John and Jesus’ kingdom gospel message, righteousness was demanded first to be saved. When the Lord Jesus appeared, He proclaimed the very same message as John the Baptist (Matt. 3:1, 2; 4:17). A lawyer asked Jesus: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” and He replied: “(Do) What is written in THE LAW?” When the lawyer recited the basic commands of the Law, our Lord answered: “This do and (then) thou shalt live” (Luke 10:25-28). Under Jesus’s “gospel of the kingdom,” He still demanded works of righteousness... FIRST. Israel was still then under the performance basis of “the Law.”

Let’s now compare the Pauline “one (dry) baptism” (Eph 4:5) with what we see that has developed over the past 100 years of Christianity as the Christendom has moved away from Pauline truth toward the the Apostasy he warned of. Paul wrote; “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” (2 Tim 4:3)

We can rightly say that John’s water baptism is not required for salvation during this day of “the dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph 3:2). Paul makes clear that Christ alone is our justification, our sufficiency, and our salvation; there is nothing we can add to His death and life given for us and to us - we are saved solely by His grace through faith. There’s nothing we can do to earn His salvation love.

Yet, most Christians today cling to a false reasoning for continuing Israel’s water baptism. They say ‘well, it’s for a testimony’ of what occurred when they received Christ. I believed this myself for many years. But now I realize that water baptism would be an offence to the genuine grace gospel of my salvation and the full acceptance I’ve received “in Christ.” I am saved totally apart from any ceremony, works, rite, rituals, or a supposed need of testimony. Cornelius Stam wrote this:

“What is your water baptism testimony worth? Consider this. Suppose you’ve been saved and water baptized, but live a care-less life as a poor testimony before the world. Would your water baptism be worth? Now suppose you have been saved and live a godly consistent life before the world, and you were not baptized in water. Might not that be the better testimony?

Ask yourself - Is a water-confession necessary? How much is it worth?  Don’t be afraid to answer these questions honestly. Consider how many “water baptized converts” there are, who cannot even give a word of testimony for their Lord among the lost!”

Actually, the water baptism of believers today in this age of grace is a bad testimony. Consider when the Galatian grace believers submitted to Israel’s circumcision… it was a… bad testimony (Gal. 5:2-3).

Galatians 5:2-3 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. ³For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Water baptism today fails to acknowledge the reality of the 100% grace economy under which we are saved to live in this age of “dispensation of the grace of God.” Baptism, as with circumcision, was part of Peter’s “gospel of the circumcision (the Jews),” having no place in “the gospel of the UNcircumcision (Gentiles)” that Jesus committed to Paul (Gal. 2:7) for today’s members of the Gentile “body of Christ.” Just as circumcision was connected with “the gospel of the circumcision” so water baptism was also connected with “the gospel of the kingdom” to come on earth, as was long promised to Israel (cf. Matt. 3:2, 6; Matt. 10:5-7; cf. John 1:31; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:36-38; Acts 3:19-21).

Regenerated Christians today have no need of John’s “baptism unto Repentance” since it is by Christ death that we are “reconciled to God (Rom 5:10). Jesus’ one offering on the cross counts as a 100% payment for all the sins of believers now “in Christ.” The present day practice of water baptism is a bad reflection on the 100% pure grace of God and exposes a lack of appreciation of the total finished work of Christ, and the believer’s present wholeness in Christ with Christ in them (Eph. 1:6; Col. 2:10).

Water baptism today demonstrates a poor understanding of the heavenly character and position of the Church in this age of grace (cf. Eph. 2:6; Eph. 1:3; Col. 3:1-3); we are destined for heaven.

Water baptism will play a role in the terms of salvation during the coming “day of the Lord.” We know “the gospel of the kingdom” will again be preached, and it includes the water ceremony.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶ He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mk. 16:15-16) “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end (of the ages shall) come. (Mat. 24:14)

When water baptism was practiced by John and the twelve it was to announce Christ to Israel. “And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. ³² And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. (Jn. 1:31) This will again be needful during the Tribulation and Millennium periods following the Rapture. Since Israel was to be “a kingdom of priests” it was essential for John to baptize believing Israelites into Israel’s priesthood (Ex. 19:5-6; 29:1-4; Isa. 61:6). It will be necessary for this to be continued during the time of “Jacob’s (Israel’s) Trouble (the Tribulation)” as well. In Old Testament there were various “washings,” symbolizing the washing away of Israel’s sins. This aspect of the water rite will be replaced with the understanding that believing Israel will be redeemed by the precious blood of Christ (I Pet. 1:18-19), baptism will still be observed as an expression of faith in Christ’s death.

Water baptism will again be practiced when God resumes the prophetic program in the coming “day of the Lord,” in the Kingdom on earth. God will pick up right where He left off at Pentecost, before Israel’s “fall” (Rom 11:10-11). So, what we witness in Acts 2 and 3… will be reinstated at the beginning of the Tribulation and on into Christ’s Millennial Kingdom on earth.

For those who had not heard of or learned of “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim 2:15), the Apostle Paul, as “THE Apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom 11:13), wrote to Timothy in very strong language saying; “charge some (tell them) that they teach no other doctrine” (1Tim 1:3); meaning to teach no other doctrine than that Paul had taught them. In 1Tim. 6:3-5 Paul closes his epistle by saying: “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ (to Paul) … from such withdraw thyself.”

In the passages above the Apostle emphasizes the importance of loyalty to that heaven-sent message the risen Lord committed to Paul by multiple “revelations” (2Cor 12:1, 7) for the Gentile “body of Christ.” Paul says his grace gospel message was “promised before the ages began” … but “kept secret” (Rom 16:25) until it was revealed “in due time… through preaching which is committed unto me (Paul)” (Tit. 1:2-3).

Paul’s formerly secret gospel is now revealed as “Christ IN You” to be our confident expectation of Glory (Col 1:27). Paul’s “gospel of the grace of Good” (Act 20:24) is the only legitimate gospel to be preached! Paul here says what should be done in the case of anyone preaching “any other gospel” in the Church, one that’s at odds with Paul’s “the gospel of the grace of God,” and his “one baptism.”

Galatians 1:8-9 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel (i.e. Israel’s Law, in any degree) unto you than that which we (Paul and his helpers) have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ⁹As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed (Gk., anathema, banned).

“Accursed” here in the KJV is the Greek “anathema,” meaning ‘banned’ or “excommunicated.’ Those preaching another gospel in and among the church are to be “banned.”

I’ve had occasion to reason from the Scripture with those who were still of the Law-keeping persuasion. I’ve pointed out to them elements of the truth of Paul’s “the gospel of the grace of God” in abundance. Only a few saw the truth of Paul’s unique position as “the Apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom 11:13) and his unique gospel to the Gentiles, and then received the truth of Paul’s pure (unadulterated) grace.

Sadly, most are not “willing” to accept Paul’s Christ-given unique ministry of the pure grace gospel “to the uncircumcision (the Gentiles)” (Gal 2:7). They reject it for various reasons such as tradition. They thus entrust themselves to a frustrating and fruitless Christian life based upon the performance based acceptance system that will not give them the security their heart no doubt seeks.

When we cling to “the Law,” its works and ritual requirements, we cling to “the Law (that) worketh (brings) wrath…” (Rom. 4:15). Because “the Law” cannot be kept perfectly (per James 2:20, 26), it brings INsecurity to Christians; causing them to question whether they really are saved or not.

Paul was given to preach and teach the word of pure grace of God in the Churches he established. Paul knew that the Law and grace are polar opposites. Our grace relationship with the Lord is totally free and the diametric opposite to “the Law” that requires unattainable perfection in order to earn God’s salvation and favor. Jesus warned of the power of a little leaven (error) that corrupts the whole.

We must note that the Holy Spirit inspired “word of God” says Paul’s words are “the commandments of the Lord” for the members of “the body of Christ.”

“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1Cor. 14:37)