Two Baptisms versus One Baptism

Paul Meets Twelve Uninformed Disciples

In Acts 19:1-7, we read about an event where Paul arrives in Ephesus and encounters twelve disciples of John. He asks them whether they received the Holy Spirit when they became believers. They respond in surprise, saying they had not even heard that the Holy Spirit had come. This does not mean they were unaware of the existence of the Holy Spirit, since John the Baptist had clearly preached that while he baptized with water, the One coming after him would baptize with the Holy Spirit. These twelve men knew about the Holy Spirit but were unaware that He had already come. It was high time for an update—just as Apollos of Alexandria, who also knew only of John’s baptism, had recently been updated by Priscilla and Aquila, who “explained the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:24-26).

Paul’s Explanation of John’s Baptism

The twelve uninformed men hear the following from Paul (verses 4 and 5):

“John indeed baptized with a baptism of reformation, saying to the people that after him is coming he who is to believe—that is, in Jesus the Christ.” And they, having heard, were baptized—to the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:4-5, YLT)

What Paul tells these twelve men is that John’s baptism of repentance was pointing the people toward the One who was to come after him, and that they were to believe in Him. John explicitly referred to Jesus, as we read in John 1:

“on the morrow John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, `Lo, the Lamb of God, who is taking away the sin of the world; this is he concerning whom I said, After me doth come a man, who hath come before me, because he was before me: and I did not know him, but that he might be manifested to Israel, because of this I came with the water baptizing.‘”
And John testified, saying—”I have seen the Spirit coming down, as a dove, out of heaven, and it remained on him; and I did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water, he said to me, On whomsoever thou mayest see the Spirit coming down, and remaining on him, this is he who is baptizing with the Holy Spirit; and I HAVE SEEN, AND HAVE TESTIFIED, that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:29-34, YLT)

The Twelve Are Baptized in the Spirit

The twelve men in Ephesus were apparently very receptive to Paul’s further explanation, because immediately afterward, we read in verse 6:

“And Paul having laid on them his hands, the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were speaking also with tongues, and prophesying,” (Acts 19:6, YLT)

These twelve men in Ephesus had once been baptized in water by John, and now Paul further informs them about “the One to come” to whom John had referred. They are baptized (through Paul’s laying on of hands) in the Holy Spirit, who demonstratively came upon them. Just as we previously read about this happening in Jerusalem (Acts 2), in Samaria (Acts 8), and in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10). Spontaneously, they begin to speak in (for them) foreign tongues about the great works of God (cf. Acts 2:11). Through this, God proved that He was now speaking to Israel through people of a foreign tongue (Isaiah 28:11; 1 Corinthians 14:21). It is therefore no coincidence that this group in Ephesus consisted of twelve men (Acts 19:7).

No Re-Baptism

Often (read: most of the time), this passage is interpreted very differently by linking verse 5 to the twelve men in Ephesus (see text). According to that reading, Paul would have re-baptized these twelve men in water. This is incorrect.

In the book of Acts, two kinds of baptism exist alongside each other. On the one hand, there is “the baptism of John,” which already existed before Jesus began His public ministry. This baptism involved immersion in water, pointing to “the One to come,” that is, the Lord Jesus. Judaism traditionally had various forms of water baptism, which is referred to in Hebrews 6:2 as “a teaching of baptisms.” A characteristic example is the mikvah, in which a person baptizes themselves. These were ritual washings, such as those performed by women after menstruation or childbirth, or by a convert joining Judaism as a proselyte. However, John’s baptism was different, as he baptized others. This was unprecedented in Judaism, which is why he was called “the Baptist.”

The Baptism of Christ Is Not in Water

The baptism John performed was a foreshadowing of the One who would come and baptize (not in water) but in Spirit. Just before ascending to heaven, Jesus reminded His disciples of this, telling them to wait in Jerusalem for the Spirit to come upon them. This is the true ‘Christian’ baptism: the baptism by Christ in the Spirit. The baptism of Christ is therefore not a new kind of baptism in water, but a baptism that precisely does not take place in water, but in the Spirit.

Two Baptisms in the Book of Acts

In the book of Acts, the baptism in water is not replaced by the baptism in the Spirit, but the two exist side by side. The baptism in Spirit is the fulfillment of the water baptism. When the book of Acts speaks of people being baptized, it is sometimes unclear which baptism is meant. For example, in Acts 2:41:

“then those, indeed, who gladly received his word were baptized, and there were added on that day, as it were, three thousand souls,” (Acts 2:41, YLT)

Were these three thousand baptized in water or in the Spirit? The text does not specify, but it is reasonable to conclude that these three thousand on Pentecost were baptized in the Spirit that came upon them. Many translations, however, incorrectly render it as “they let themselves be baptized” in a way that implies water baptism. But this is a theological choice by the translators and not dictated by the original text.

Only Israel Baptizes

“The baptism of John” is not necessarily a baptism by John himself. John was simply the first to baptize others in water in anticipation of the Messiah, which is why it is called “the baptism of John,” regardless of who administers it. Water baptism is a ritual specifically given to Israel. This is why John said:

“And I knew him not, but that he might be manifested to Israel, because of this I came with the water baptizing.” (John 1:31, YLT)

This brings us to the question of how non-Jews fit into this. The above does not mean that non-Jews could not be baptized in water. No matter how reluctant Peter initially was to bring the Gospel to “a foreigner at the gate” (Cornelius, Acts 10), he could not but acknowledge that the Holy Spirit had also fallen upon the nations (Acts 10:44-46). Therefore, he commanded the believing Jews present to baptize the household of Cornelius (Acts 10:46-48). Not as an obligation for Cornelius and his household, but precisely as an act of recognition from Israel’s side! Baptism was given to Israel, and it is Israelites who baptize. Nowhere in Scripture do we read of someone from the nations baptizing others. Rituals and outward ceremonies belong to the people of Israel.

Now There Is Only “One Baptism”

In the book of Acts, the preaching is centered on the people of Israel. The nation was to come to repentance and recognize its Messiah. The Gospel was primarily intended for them (Acts 3:25-26). This message was conveyed to them not only through hearing but also through visible signs. Water baptism was one example of this, along with the many miraculous signs that took place among the nations. All of this served to provide Israel with evidence of the risen Messiah (Acts 15:3-4). Only when Paul arrives in Rome does the curtain fall for Israel, and the nation is (for the time being) no longer able to repent (Acts 28:26-31). Israel loses its privileged position, and the visible signs disappear. No longer are two baptisms in effect, but only “one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). One baptism in one Spirit into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Delen: