Diving Into Baptism: Baptism of John Part 3

The focus for part three of this series will be the baptism of John-or rather, the baptism of repentance that he preached.

This study comes with great controversy because of its nature. It is a water baptism and it is literal and by full emersion. As I mentioned in the introduction, this baptism had a specific purpose for the Jew, which is different from the Gentile. (This will be discussed in the study of water baptism for the Gentile.)

I believe this is one of the many reasons there is such confusion as to whether or not water baptism is a requirement for salvation.

It is easy to be confused if we take a few passages of Scripture as proof texts for this teaching without investigating all texts regarding the subject of water baptism and salvation. It is important for us to remember that this particular baptism was designed for the children of Israel and that this was before the death and resurrection of Jesus, so they were still under the Old Testament Law.

With this in mind, I hope that you will join me in this study and in the end, see that water baptism has two purposes: preparation for the Jew and salvation from a bad conscience toward God for the Jew and the Gentile (not salvation of our soul). In no way, does it cleanse our sin--only the blood of Jesus can do this. (1 Peter 3:21)

The first step in understanding this baptism is knowing who John was and what his purpose in preaching was.

John was the promised son of Zachariah, the priest and Elizabeth. We find the detailed account of John in the Gospel of Luke, with other references and summaries in Matthew, Mark and John.

"But the angel [Gabriel] reassured him, 'Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer has been heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John….He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him [Jesus] in the spirit and power of Elijah…to make ready a people prepared for the LORD." (Luke 1:13, 16b.)

So Gabriel tells Zacharias what John's purpose will be and a bit later, Zacharias explains that John will be a prophet of the Most High and that he will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways and to give knowledge of salvation to God's people by the remission of their sins. Furthermore, Zacharias, says that John will guide their feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:76-70.)

As we read on, we see that John grew strong in the Spirit while in the desert, awaiting the appropriate time to begin his ministry of preparing the people to receive the Messiah.

"…the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins…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."( Luke 3:3, Matthew 3:11)

This passage of Scripture tells us that this water baptism had nothing to do with salvation, but it was a physical act of repentance, which prepared them to receive Jesus, who would later baptize them with the Holy Spirit, which is salvation. In the Gospel of the Apostle John, we read again how John the Baptist emphasized that his baptism was only to prepare them for Jesus.

When John sees that the Pharisees and Sadducees where coming to be baptized, he rebukes them because he sees that they thought all they had to do was get in the water. They were relying on the fact that they were Jews, and not on the fact that they needed to repent and live a changed life. (Matt. 3:7-9) (This will be discussed in our study on the baptism of fire, which is final judgment.)

As we continue in the Gospel of John, we read the words of Jesus, where he tells us that he will give them the Holy Spirit when He departs and returns to heaven. However, he did seal his disciples with the Holy Spirit, before His ascension- John 20:21-23, (Which is different from the baptism of the Holy Spirit- Acts 1:4-8).
This leads to the most controversial passage on baptism in the Bible. Jesus spoke these words after His resurrection:

"And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 15-16.)

What are we to make of this passage? At first glance, it contradicts everything I just said. However, I think a closer look reveals differently. In my opinion, the verses that follow are the key to understanding this passage.

"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues." (Mark 16:17)

Two important details come to mind:

1) Jesus did not say, "But he who does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned". He only said, "But he who does not believe will be condemned."

2) Jesus did not specify water baptism.

Verse 17 tells us that signs will follow the one who believes. Most Christians would agree that power to cast out demons or the ability to speak in tongues comes from the Holy Spirit.

So what can we conclude? It would seem to me that Jesus is speaking of another baptism. On the other hand, He could be referring to water, but his second statement makes it clear that it is belief that brings freedom from condemnation. Furthermore, if water baptism were necessary for salvation, then the thief on the cross could not have been saved. Yet we read in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 23:39-43, that after professing faith and remorse for his sin, Jesus told him that he would be with Him in paradise that same day.

This passage should be viewed in light of all the other passages of Scripture that talk about salvation. It is a gift of God, made available by grace through faith, as taught in the book of Acts through the book of Revelation. Paul discusses this at length throughout the entire book of Romans, Ephesians and Colossians.

The literal baptism of repentance for the children of Israel is a picture of our need to acknowledge our sin before Almighty God, receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, thereby being sealed with the Holy Spirit as our promise for eternal security. (Eph 2:8-9.)

There are many lessons to learn from this story and much more to be discussed. I invite you to share your biblical perspective on this subject.

Father, continue to give us wisdom and understanding of your word. Open our hearts to the truth, especially when it goes against our pre-conceived ideas or what we have been taught to believe. Help us to be as the Bereans and search your word for ourselves. Lord, forgive me when I put the traditions of men above your word and give me a discerning spirit so that I would recognize it when I do. In the name of Jesus, Amen

Part four – Water baptism for the Gentile, will follow soon.

© Teresa Ortiz