United “One Baptism”

United – Week 6 – One Baptism

Ephesians 4:4-6

⁴ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—

⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

1. What is One ?

A. It was first a .

Acts 19:1-5

¹ While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples

² and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

“No,” they told him, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

³ “Into what then were you baptized?” he asked them.

“Into John’s baptism,” they replied.

⁴ Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.”

⁵ When they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Mark 1:4

⁴ John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Mark 1:8

⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

What is One Baptism? 

b. The Ultimate of The Gospel

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

³ For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures

Romans 6:3-4

³ Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

⁴ Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.

Matthew 28:19-20

¹⁹ Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

²⁰ teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Not “Who Am I” But “Whose am I”

1 John 3:1

3 See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are!…

What is One Baptism?

C. It’s a Way God Chooses to His Church

1 Corinthians 12:13

¹³ For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

One Baptism – that Clarifies

One Baptism – that Symbolizes the Gospel

One Baptism – that Unifies

1. Who Should Be Baptized?

A. New  

Acts 2:37-38

³⁷ When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:17-18

¹⁷ Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

¹⁸ At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

Acts 22:12-16

¹² Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who had a good reputation with all the Jews living there,

¹³ came and stood by me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And in that very hour I looked up and saw him.

¹⁴ And he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the words from his mouth,

¹⁵ since you will be a witness for him to all people of what you have seen and heard.

¹⁶ And now, why are you delaying? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Who Should Be Baptized?

B.  of Jesus

Matthew 28:19-20

¹⁹ Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

²⁰ teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 3:13-17

¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.

¹⁴ But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”

¹⁵ Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.

¹⁶ When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.

¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”

Matthew 5:14-16

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.

¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

The Cost of Baptism in Iran

In Iran, converting from Islam to Christianity is considered apostasy and is punishable by death, imprisonment, or severe persecution. Many Iranians come to faith in Christ through underground churches or online ministries, but baptism is one of the riskiest steps a new believer can take.

One such story is about a man named Reza. He grew up as a devout Muslim, but after secretly listening to Christian radio programs and reading the Bible, Reza became convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. He connected with an underground house church where he accepted Christ. His decision to be baptized, however, brought immense pressure from all sides.

Reza’s baptism was done in secret, in the middle of the night in a private pool, as baptizing in public would almost certainly lead to arrest. Reza knew that his baptism would identify him as a Christian, putting him at risk of being reported by family members or neighbors. After his baptism, the government discovered his conversion. Reza was arrested, interrogated, and severely beaten. His family disowned him, considering him dead for abandoning Islam.

Reza eventually had to flee the country, but despite the cost, he never regretted his decision to be baptized, saying that identifying with Christ in baptism was worth any sacrifice.

The Baptism of Abdul – Somalia

In Somalia, Christianity is seen as a betrayal of both culture and religion. Conversion from Islam to Christianity can lead to violence, often from one’s own family. Abdul, a Somali man, came to faith through a small group of believers who met in secret. He knew that being baptized would make him a target not only for the local Islamic authorities but also for his own family, who might see his conversion as dishonor.

Despite the danger, Abdul desired to publicly identify with Christ through baptism. His baptism was arranged to take place in the Indian Ocean, under the cover of night, with only a few trusted believers in attendance. They traveled to a remote location to avoid detection.

After Abdul’s baptism, his family found out about his conversion. His father disowned him, and he faced constant threats from Islamic extremists in his community. Eventually, Abdul was attacked by a group of militants and left for dead. Miraculously, he survived the attack and fled the country, seeking refuge with other underground believers. Even though his baptism nearly cost him his life, Abdul remained committed to his faith, saying, “I belong to Jesus now, no matter what happens.”

The Baptism of Aisha – Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, leaving Islam and converting to Christianity is seen as an act of apostasy, punishable by death. Aisha, a Saudi woman, became a Christian after hearing the gospel through online Christian programs. She secretly connected with other Saudi believers and began attending an underground house church. Her baptism was a dangerous step, but she longed to follow Christ fully.

Aisha’s baptism took place in a bathtub in a hidden room, with only a few people present. After her baptism, her family found out about her conversion. She was locked in her home and faced severe beatings. Her brothers threatened to kill her if she did not return to Islam. Aisha managed to escape and find refuge with other believers. She eventually had to leave the country to avoid being killed for her faith.

Even in exile, Aisha remained firm in her commitment to Christ, knowing that her baptism was a declaration of her new life in Jesus, despite the personal cost.