Three Baptisms
By Bob Cope
Baptism is the transliterated Greek word, 'baptizo' meaning to make fully wet; the same as one gets when one gets washed completely from head to toe.
There are three categories of baptism found in the Scriptures:
Water
Spirit
Fire
Water baptism was the former method of baptizing. It was a ritual, symbolic, washing away of sin. Water baptism had to do with the evangel of the Circumcision and the Old Testament saints. The water was a type of the blood of Yahushua, but since it was only a type not the substance, the water could not redeem as does the blood.
Water baptism is not the valid baptism for today. It was put away when Israel was placed in abeyance at Acts 28:28.
Spirit baptism is now the baptism. The translated Scriptures call it [figuratively] "...the washing of water by the Word" (Eph 5:26). It is effected the instant one is enlightened to what Yahushua the Anointed has done for all by his death. Since this baptism is spiritual, it involves no actual water, the Word of Yahuweh is the figurative water here, and there's no physical ceremony or ritual, as there was with water baptism. Spirit baptism is an unseen spiritual operation. It is unseen, but nevertheless, quite real.
Fire baptism is the final baptism, and it is for all. We all, apparently, shall need to have any inferior works washed away by fire before entering the next phase of the spiritual life Yahuweh has for us.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day [the day of the judgment] shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.