Introduction. God gave John the ordinance that has become part of his name to introduce one of the greatest changes that would occur “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah” (Heb. 8:8). God had already decided baptism (immersion in water) was destined to become the ordinance that everyone must submit to in order to enter the New Covenant. It would replace circumcision (Col. 2:9-13), bring us into fellowship with Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-8), become the spiritual reality of Noah’s ark and Israel’s passing through the Red Sea (1Pet. 3:20-21; 1Cor. 10:1-3), and complete the journey into the remission of sins for each sinner (Acts 2:38).
God, who knows the end from the beginning, was already preparing His people against the errors and controversies that have arisen and continue to rage today. Although some practice sprinkling and pouring, God revealed it as an immersion in water since they “were all baptized (buried) by him in the Jordan River". God Himself joined it to remission of sins, sending John to preach “a baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins.” Thus at the very beginning of the gospel age, God revealed the truth of baptism through John the Baptist.
John’s preaching was so powerful and effective that “all the land of Judea,” “those from Jerusalem,” “and all the region around the Jordan” “went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins” (Mk. 1:5; Mt. 3:5-6). The Jewish leaders were concerned enough to begin an investigation. They wanted to know two things: “The Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’” and “Why then do you baptize?” What they really wanted to know was where he was getting the authority to baptize and to offer remission of sins. He gave them the answer: “I am The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said.” (Jn. 1:19-28). By this answer John proclaimed his authority to preach “a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” was a commission from God.
God, who knows the end from the beginning, was already preparing His people against the errors and controversies that have arisen and continue to rage today. Although some practice sprinkling and pouring, God revealed it as an immersion in water since they “were all baptized (buried) by him in the Jordan River". God Himself joined it to remission of sins, sending John to preach “a baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins.” Thus at the very beginning of the gospel age, God revealed the truth of baptism through John the Baptist.
John’s preaching was so powerful and effective that “all the land of Judea,” “those from Jerusalem,” “and all the region around the Jordan” “went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins” (Mk. 1:5; Mt. 3:5-6). The Jewish leaders were concerned enough to begin an investigation. They wanted to know two things: “The Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’” and “Why then do you baptize?” What they really wanted to know was where he was getting the authority to baptize and to offer remission of sins. He gave them the answer: “I am The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said.” (Jn. 1:19-28). By this answer John proclaimed his authority to preach “a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” was a commission from God.
What did Jesus think of John and his baptism? If John were promising too much, Jesus would have said something about it. Yet far from rebuking John for preaching a baptism of repentance for remission of sins, the very first thing Jesus did was come to John to be baptized. This was such an integral part of God’s plan that even though, “John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’ But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him.” (Mt. 3:13-15). Jesus recognized the authority of John to preach this baptism and His own need to submit to it in order to fulfill all righteousness. If only people today felt the same way about Jesus’ baptism as Jesus did about John’s.
God left no doubt! After Jesus was baptized, even God proclaimed His approval. “Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” (Mk. 1:9-11).
This would have been the time to clear up any misunderstandings about baptism and its role in the remission of sins. If there was no connection between baptism and remission of sins, Jesus could have made it very clear. But far from rebuking John or changing his message, Jesus joined in with him preaching the same message and using the same baptism.
Throughout His ministry Jesus also used John’s “baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” to make His own disciples. It was right after His conversation with Nicodemus where Jesus had proclaimed: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (Jn. 3:16), that Jesus began baptizing: “After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.” (Jn. 3:22). Even John’s disciples noticed and told John: “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified — behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” It wasn’t long before word also came to the Pharisees. “Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.” (Jn. 4:1). There can be no doubt! Throughout His earthly ministry, “Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John!”
After Herod put John in prison, Jesus had another opportunity to clarify the work of John the Baptist and his preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins: “He began to say unto the multitudes concerning John.” “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.” (Lk. 7:24-28).
By calling John a prophet, Jesus confirmed his inspiration. What John preached was exactly what the Holy Spirit revealed for “no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2Pet. 1:21). John was right to join remission of sins to baptism. The Holy Spirit inspired him to preach a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, the same way He inspired Peter to tell those hearing the first sermon: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;” (Acts 2:38). There shouldn’t be any controversy about this! Jesus made it clear that it is the truth.
Jesus himself made baptism the focus of John’s work! It was not their faith in John’s preaching, but their baptism that “justified” and “declared God just:” “And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.” Only by being baptized could these people justify God. If they rejected John’s baptism, as so many have today with Jesus’ baptism, they were guilty of rejecting God’s will. That is exactly what Jesus accused the Pharisees and lawyers of doing: “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.” (Lk. 7:29-30). Why would Jesus do anything different when people reject His baptism? The truth is clear! Those who reject Jesus’ baptism as necessary for salvation and for remission of sins are rejecting the will of God for themselves just as the Pharisees and lawyers did with John’s baptism.
Conclusion. Multitudes today proclaim: (1) baptism is not necessary to salvation, (2) baptism cannot bring remission of sins, and (3) baptism is only a work and we are not saved by works but by faith. It is wise for us to remember that this controversy began while Jesus was still here on the earth. If Jesus had seen any issues with the importance of baptism, He had every opportunity to resolve it while John was still alive. Yet instead of rebuking John or modifying John’s preaching, He identified John as an inspired prophet and continued preaching the same message and the same baptism throughout His ministry. “Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John!” Just before His ascension into heaven, Jesus commanded His apostles to continue to use baptism to make disciples and made it as clear as possible that it would be necessary to be baptized to be saved.
God left no doubt! After Jesus was baptized, even God proclaimed His approval. “Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” (Mk. 1:9-11).
This would have been the time to clear up any misunderstandings about baptism and its role in the remission of sins. If there was no connection between baptism and remission of sins, Jesus could have made it very clear. But far from rebuking John or changing his message, Jesus joined in with him preaching the same message and using the same baptism.
Throughout His ministry Jesus also used John’s “baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” to make His own disciples. It was right after His conversation with Nicodemus where Jesus had proclaimed: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (Jn. 3:16), that Jesus began baptizing: “After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.” (Jn. 3:22). Even John’s disciples noticed and told John: “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified — behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” It wasn’t long before word also came to the Pharisees. “Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.” (Jn. 4:1). There can be no doubt! Throughout His earthly ministry, “Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John!”
After Herod put John in prison, Jesus had another opportunity to clarify the work of John the Baptist and his preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins: “He began to say unto the multitudes concerning John.” “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.” (Lk. 7:24-28).
By calling John a prophet, Jesus confirmed his inspiration. What John preached was exactly what the Holy Spirit revealed for “no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2Pet. 1:21). John was right to join remission of sins to baptism. The Holy Spirit inspired him to preach a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, the same way He inspired Peter to tell those hearing the first sermon: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;” (Acts 2:38). There shouldn’t be any controversy about this! Jesus made it clear that it is the truth.
Jesus himself made baptism the focus of John’s work! It was not their faith in John’s preaching, but their baptism that “justified” and “declared God just:” “And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.” Only by being baptized could these people justify God. If they rejected John’s baptism, as so many have today with Jesus’ baptism, they were guilty of rejecting God’s will. That is exactly what Jesus accused the Pharisees and lawyers of doing: “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.” (Lk. 7:29-30). Why would Jesus do anything different when people reject His baptism? The truth is clear! Those who reject Jesus’ baptism as necessary for salvation and for remission of sins are rejecting the will of God for themselves just as the Pharisees and lawyers did with John’s baptism.
Conclusion. Multitudes today proclaim: (1) baptism is not necessary to salvation, (2) baptism cannot bring remission of sins, and (3) baptism is only a work and we are not saved by works but by faith. It is wise for us to remember that this controversy began while Jesus was still here on the earth. If Jesus had seen any issues with the importance of baptism, He had every opportunity to resolve it while John was still alive. Yet instead of rebuking John or modifying John’s preaching, He identified John as an inspired prophet and continued preaching the same message and the same baptism throughout His ministry. “Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John!” Just before His ascension into heaven, Jesus commanded His apostles to continue to use baptism to make disciples and made it as clear as possible that it would be necessary to be baptized to be saved.
- And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Mt. 28:18-20)
- And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mk. 16:15-16)
- Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Lk. 24:46-47)
- “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 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. 39 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.” (Acts 2:36-39)
- And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. (Acts 2:40-41)