Ephesians 4:5 says there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Everyone throws around this verse like it’s a neat little bullet point on unity, but what does that one baptism really mean? For those of us who embrace grace and know how to rightly divide the Word (thank you, Paul), peeling back the layers here reveals a depth that’s often glossed over.
Let’s get something straight: this “one baptism” isn’t referring to water dunk sessions or church rituals. Not that water baptism is invalid or unimportant—it certainly has its place—but Ephesians 4:5 isn’t about those external ceremonies. It points to something far more profound, something spiritual that taps into the very heart of what it means to be part of Christ’s body.
Baptism Beyond the Tank: A Spiritual Reality
Picture this. You’ve heard plenty about baptism as a public declaration—getting dunked in a pool, a river, or a tub of spiritual cleanliness, right? That’s what many churches teach and practice, and it’s a beautiful symbolic act. But Paul? He writes like someone who knows baptism goes past the splash and clapping congregations. He knows it’s a spiritual reality, not just a water ritual.
The context in Ephesians 4 helps us get this. Paul is talking about unity—how one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, and yes, one baptism, tie believers together. It’s not about multiple modes of dunking but one baptism that unites all members of Christ’s body, that spiritual washing that happened once for all at the cross.
The Baptism of the Spirit, Not the Water
If you keep reading Paul, you’ll see that in grace (the dispensation we live under), the baptism referred to is actually the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised this initial outpouring—remember Acts 1:5 where Jesus says you will be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days from now? That moment, experienced by the early church at Pentecost, was not ceremonial but supernatural.
Once you’re saved by grace through faith in Christ, the Spirit baptizes you into the Body of Christ, making you inseparable from Him. It’s a one-time, spiritual act, not a repeated ritual. This baptism of the Spirit crescendos salvation and unites the believer with the Lord. It is the singular, ultimate “one baptism” Ephesians refers to.
Why Does This Matter to Me?
Good question. Because too many get hung up on water baptism as if it contributes to salvation or unity. Sure, it can symbolize what happened in the Spirit, but it’s not the “one baptism” Paul is pointing to. From a grace perspective, water doesn’t save—faith does, and baptism is confirmation rather than initiation.
Think about it: many times, believers get baptized with water weeks, months—even years—after salvation. That delay shows water baptism is an event, not the defining moment of entry into God’s family. The Holy Spirit’s baptism happens at conversion, uniting the believer with Christ invisibly but irrevocably.
Piecing Together Scripture—Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Ephesians Agree
If you’re a student of rightly dividing the Word, you know you can’t isolate a verse. Look at Romans 6. Paul contrasts the believer’s old life with their death to sin in Christ, saying we are baptized into His death and resurrection. What water dunking can do that? None really. This is a spiritual baptism into Christ’s death, a union with Him by faith.
Over in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul says believers are baptized into one body by one Spirit. That’s unity. It’s not about being dunked in the same pool but sharing the same Spirit. All believers—Jews, Gentiles, rich, poor—are baptized spiritually into one body without exception.
Putting it together, Ephesians 4:5 references this spiritual baptism that happens once and never needs to be repeated. It’s the spiritual seal that marks someone an official member of Christ’s body. Water baptism can be a celebratory act but is never the “one baptism” Paul had in mind.
The Danger of Confusing the Two
Here’s where some get tripped up and wander into legalism or emotionalism. Some think, “If I skip water baptism, I’m out.” Others think you have to be baptized to fully receive the Holy Spirit or be saved. Scripture doesn’t back that up, especially when rightly dividing the Word.
Grace teaches salvation is by faith alone, through grace alone, apart from works—including works of ritual. Water baptism is a good work in many churches but not the crown jewel of salvation or church unity. The real baptism, the one that Paul encourages us to cling to here, is the Holy Spirit’s baptism, the spiritual act that connects us to Christ forever.
So, What About the Different Baptisms?
Sure, the Bible mentions baptism in different contexts. John baptized with water for repentance (John 1:26-28). Jesus taught believers to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). But Paul’s emphasis in grace epistles is different.
Here’s a quick rundown that might help:
🔹 John’s baptism: A repentant cleansing, preparing hearts for the Messiah.
🔹 Water baptism: An outward symbol of inward faith, an obedient confession and identification with Christ.
🔹 Spirit baptism: The one baptism referred to in Ephesians 4:5, the Believer’s incorporation into Christ’s body by the Holy Spirit.
Why Unity Hinges on This One Baptism
Unity is the theme Paul weaves throughout Ephesians 4. Notice how everything else in verse 5 is singular: one Lord, one faith, one baptism. The one baptism is that spiritual oneness in the Spirit. It’s what binds us beyond denominational lines, distinctives, and skin color.
It’s easy to get lost in divisions over water baptism modes or practices. But Paul says, “Don’t trip on that; focus on what unites you.” The Holy Spirit’s baptism is the glue. We all share it once we place faith in Christ. It’s magnetic, invisible, yet unbreakable.
Don’t Make the “One Baptism” Harder Than It Is
Let’s face it—people love to split hairs about baptism. It’s a relic of religious tradition that many hold dear. I get it; baptisms are joyful occasions. But we mustn’t confuse ceremony for spiritual reality.
The “one baptism” is the supernatural work of God when He unites us to Christ. It is singular in time, and it underpins the whole Christian experience post-salvation. Knowing this brings peace, confidence, and pride in a grace-based identity that no water dunk can add to.
Wrapping it Up Without Wrapping It Up
Understanding the “one baptism” means seeing your salvation story in the light of God’s grace and Spirit, not ritual nor man’s ways. If you’ve been baptized in the Spirit, you’re part of the Body. You are united with the saints throughout time, no matter what water ceremony you had or didn’t have.
If you think baptism is about forsaking sins or earning God’s favor, it’s time to revisit Paul’s words, the gospel of grace, and that glorious promise of spiritual unity. Because the one baptism raises the bar from ritual to relationship—and that changes everything.
So next time you hear “one baptism,” remember it’s not about how wet you got but how deeply you’ve been joined to the Lord by His Spirit. That’s the baptism that matters. And it’s a game-changer.