The Bible makes reference to two kinds of baptisms. One is for repentance (John’s baptism) and the other for the Holy Spirit (done in Jesus’ name). Many churches accept these baptisms at the same time baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit which are one, and being submerged under water, open to receiving the Holy Spirit.
“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:5) Here we can see both baptisms are necessary; we need to be reborn repenting of the sin our old self and we need to receive the Holy Spirit to guide us in our walk from that point on.
In Acts 18:24-25, Apollos was a believer, spoke and taught truth in the Lord, though he had only received John’s baptism. In Acts chapter 19, Paul addresses some disciples asking, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They hadn’t heard of a Holy Spirit so Paul asked them, “Into what then were you baptized?” and they told him John’s baptism. Verse 4 goes on to say, “Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized you with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”
“John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Mark 1:4)
Now, when we further look in scripture we can learn more about John’s baptism and why it is different from the baptism of receiving the Holy Spirit (which hadn’t yet been poured out) through our Lord Jesus. The Bible talks in 1 Peter chapter 3 about other souls that were saved through water during the first “baptism” which was a type of baptism from the Old Testament. Verse 20, “…in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight souls, were saved through water.” Then in verse 21 it continues, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Consider the ways of the world in the days of Noah that God would “baptize” the world to wash away sin (literally sinful people).
So then, are there two separate baptism events that happen? Not necessarily. In Ephesians 4:5 we are told there is one baptism. It is my belief that during this baptism both repentance and the Holy Spirit can be received; again, one for repentance of the old self, and one for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our walk.
Looking back at the book of Acts 2:38-39, “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’” Here I see that both repentance and the Holy Spirit come in one baptism.
In Titus 3:4-7 we are told, “But when the kindness of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life”
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Scripture references are quoted from the NKJV.