Easy Verses: The Baptism Of The Spirit Is Salvation

Here are some simple scriptures to show that “the baptism of the Holy Spirit” is actually the name for the purification from sin that we received at salvation. There are powerful manifestations to follow, like speaking in other tongues, etc., but that is not called “the baptism.”

Our “Easy Verses” articles are a collection of only the simplest verses to share with others. This is not meant to be a teaching. Full scriptural evidence for this topic can be found in our other resources. Click for teaching on this topic.

[All words in brackets are ours]

Starter Evidence

The baptism of the Spirit brings us into the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV) For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

We were saved by baptism.

1 Peter 3:20-21 (NKJV) …in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype [symbol] which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh [not water baptism], but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Yes, this being “saved through baptism” is referring to the baptism of the Spirit, because there’s only one real baptism.

Ephesians 4:5 (KJV) One Lord, one faith, one baptism…

We were made “dead to sin” through baptism. Remember, there’s only one baptism.

Romans 6:2-3 (KJV) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 — Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death [to sin]?

The Two “Phases” Of The Holy Spirit

1) We drink in the Spirit (inside of us) and then 2) He manifests.

John 4:14 (NKJV) but whoever drinks of the water [receiving the Spirit in you] that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up [Spirit manifesting] into everlasting life.”

It’s the first phase (drinking in the Spirit) that is called baptism.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV) For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

What Baptism Means

The Holy Spirit, through John, called a dispute about baptism “a dispute about purification.” Mind you, this is the Holy Spirit’s narration here.

John 3:25-26 (NKJV) Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification [lit. washing, cleansing]. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”

Baptizo

Even the word for baptism in the New Testament, “Baptizo” means “to submerge, or cleanse by submerging.”

This makes sense. After all, we were cleansed by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11, Titus 3:5). This is called baptism.

Baptism Is Our Cleansing From Sin

Dead To Sin Through Baptism

No wonder baptism is said to make us dead to sin.

Colossians 2:11-12 (KJV) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Good Conscience

Because the baptism of the Holy Spirit is “purification,” this is why Peter 3:21 says the true baptism (not water baptism) that saves us gives us a “good conscience toward God.”

1 Peter 3:21 (NKJV) There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh [not water baptism], but the answer [lit. request] of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Purified By The Holy Spirit And Fire

John came announcing that Jesus would baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. This is a term that was prophesied from Isaiah for our purification from sins.

Matthew 3:11 (NKJV) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Isaiah 4:4 (NKJV) When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged [lit. cleansed] the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning,

Behold the Lamb of God, Who baptizes In The Spirit

When John came announcing Jesus as the one who would “baptize with the Holy Spirit,” but when he saw Jesus, he rather announced him as “the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world.” It’s the same thing.

John 1:29-33 (NKJV) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ …I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’

Symbolism

This may not be what you want to share with someone new, but the evidence is here.

Water Pots For Purification

John 2 symbolizes the two phases of the Spirit. First Jesus filled the water pots with water, then He said, “Draw out now.” Likewise, our vessels (our bodies) are first filled with the water (the Spirit) and then as we learn what we have, we “draw out now” and the water in us turns to fruit on the outside!

Just before those waterpots were filled with water it is said they were there according to “the purification of the Jews.” This symbolizes baptism. When we are filled with water that is our baptism/purification! Afterwards, we can draw out (manifest) what’s in us, but our purification/baptism is when our vessels are first filled with water/the Spirit!

Noah And The Flood

1 Peter 3:20-21 said that Noah and the flood represented a baptism that now saves us. Here is that symbolism.

Noah, the builder of the ark, represents Jesus, the builder of the church/His temple (as Solomon, the Son of David, the builder of the temple, represents Jesus as well).
Noah’s family represent us, Jesus’ family.
The clean and unclean animals represent the Jews and Gentiles (Acts 11:1–9).
The water of the flood represents the Holy Spirit, as Peter said (and John 7:38-39).

Knowing this:

Genesis 7:7-8 (NKJV)
So, Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives
[we all]

went into the ark
[went into the body of Christ]

because of the waters of the flood
[because of the baptism of the Holy Spirit]

Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean…
[whether Jews or Gentiles]

This verse is the exact parallel to 1 Corinthians 12:13:

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV)
For by one Spirit
[because of the waters of the flood]

we were all baptized into one body
[went into the ark]

—whether Jews or Greeks [Gentiles]
[Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean]

This is why Peter does not say that Noah and his family were saved “from the water,” but he says they were saved “through the water.” Peter is speaking symbolically of the Spirit.

1 Peter 3:20-21 (NKJV) …while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism…

Acts 2

Acts 2 is indeed the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but that was not a second occurrence after their salvation. This is the first time those disciples received the Holy Spirit in a New Testament way. The disciples could not receive the Spirit (in a New Testament way) until after Jesus had ascended.

John 16:7 (NKJV) Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Jesus breathed on His disciples after His resurrection (before ascension) and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” but this could not be a receiving of the Holy Spirit in any way that was not already available in the Old Testament, because Jesus had not yet ascended. Perhaps, Jesus was opening their mind to the scriptures when He breathed on them (John 20:22, Luke 24:45), but it was not their rebirth or cleansing. The baptism of the Holy Spirit came in Acts 2, which is rebirth, cleansing, and salvation.

If this blessed you, share this with someone else!