Dimensions of Baptism Biblical and Theological Studies

SPIRIT- AND WATER-BAPTISM IN 1 CORINTHIANS 12.13

Anthony R. Cross

I. Introduction

The meaning of 'baptism' in 1 Cor. 12.13 has been the subject of consider-

able discussion in recent years. The text reads:

KOU yap ev evi nveuijaTi r\\if\s TTOCVTES eis ev oco|ja e(3aTrna0r||JEV,

For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—

e'lxe'louSmoi e'iTefEAAT)ves, E'ITE 60GA01 E'ITE EAEUSEPOI,

Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—

KCn TTOCVTES EV TTVE\J|ia ETTOTlO0r)|JEV.

and we were all made to drink of one Spirit, (NRSV)

While a number of key exegetical matters confront the interpreter in this

verse, the primary focus of this paper is on the theological and experiential

relationship between Spirit- and water-baptism. There are two main posi-

tions: first, that the reference is to water-baptism, a view which often links

the reception of the Spirit with baptism in water; and secondly, that Spirit-

baptism is in view, namely conversion, and that this is separate from

water-baptism.^1 First, we will examine the most widely held view chiefly

through one of its main advocates, George Beasley-Murray. Secondly, we

will look at the more recent view of James Dunn, followed by Gordon Fee,

which interprets 'baptism' in terms of metaphor. Finally, a third way will

1. A third view, which posits a post-conversion baptism of the Spirit, does not
   concern us in this study and, I believe, has been well answered, e.g., by J.D.G. Dunn,
   Baptism in the Holy Spirit: A Re-examination of the New Testament Teaching on the
   Gift of the Spirit in Relation to Pentecostalism Today (London: SCM Press, 1970), pp.
   127-29; G.D. Fee, God's Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul
   (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1994), p. 180; M.M.B. Turner, The Holy Spirit and
   Spiritual Gifts Then and Now (Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 1996), pp. 46-55; A.C.
   Thiselton, The First Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary on the Greek Text
   (NIGTC; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans; Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 2000), pp. 997-1001.