The Apostolic Witness — Peter and Paul
Peter’s Pentecost sermon set the early pattern: “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38, NASB). For Peter, repentance, baptism, and Spirit reception were inseparable acts in conversion. Paul echoes this theology: “We were buried with Him through baptism into death… that we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4, NASB). Gareth Reese observes that for the apostolic church, baptism marked the decisive moment of union with Christ — both confessional and covenantal.
The Three Baptisms
Scripture presents three distinct but connected baptisms:
– John’s Baptism (Repentance): preparing hearts for the coming Messiah.
– Christian Baptism (Water): identifying with Christ’s death and resurrection.
– Spirit Baptism: empowering the believer for kingdom life (Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Walter Elwell summarizes: “The Spirit internalizes what water symbolizes.” The two work in harmony — external obedience meets internal transformation.
