I can say the same for you, but we both cannot be right.
My encouragement to you is to read Ephesians 2 several times in asking God's help in understanding it.
Ask yourself, “Is Ephesians 2:8-9 talking about Initial Salvation?” Yes, or no?
No. It only means water because that is what you want it to mean. Your church beliefs, or your own personal bias or experience has led you to that conclusion.
Let's look at the word baptismos (Which is something you probably never considered before).
Hebrews 9:10 says, “Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers
washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” The word “washings” is the Greek word “baptismos” (βαπτισμός) (Check out
here for the Strong’s definition). In other words,
Hebrews 9:10 is saying that diverse baptisms (washings) were imposed on believers until the time of reformation. Meaning, water baptism will give way or pass away until the time of reformation (Which means that Spirit baptism is now the one and only true baptism for today). The English word
baptisms is used for this Greek word
baptismos.
Yet, this word is used in Hebrews 9:10 and it is saying that baptism was imposed upon believers until the time of reformation. That's what your not getting.
Spirit baptism.
Remember what Jesus said.
“For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts of the Apostles 1:5).
Not true.
Acts of the Apostles 8:14-18 says:
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they
their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,...”
Acts of the Apostles 19:1-7 says:
“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should 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
his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.”
The receiving of the Spirit is not always the same way (As I have shown in the above verses).
Peter only water baptized because he did not fully understand yet what Jesus meant by His words on the great commission. Remember, Peter did not know the Gentiles would be included UNTIL God gave him vision later and he had Peter go to Cornelius' house. So if Peter did not know about the Gentiles inclusion until after his encounter with Cornelius, then logic dictates that Peter was still trying to figure things out involving God's will more perfectly.
For example: Apollos needed to be explained the way of God more perfectly on this matter.
Acts of the Apostles 18:24-26 says, “And a certain Jew named
Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord,
knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when
Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and
expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”
In short, Aquila and Priscilla (who were taught by Paul) expounded the Word of God more perfectly unto Apollos because he only knew of John’s baptism of water. Apollos needed to learn of Spirit baptism (Which is the true New Covenant way of being baptized).
What is interesting is that the very next chapter Paul tells some Ephesian believers about this Spirit baptism (with them only being aware of water baptism by John). If they have been watered baptised, then they surely do not need to be water baptised again. Such a thing is illogical.
