Why was John baptizing in Aenon?
Introduction. Aenon appears to have been on the west side of the Jordan river. Aenon is said to have been near to Salim (John 3: 23). Most of John the Baptist's work was localized to the "region round about Jordan," not far from Jerusalem (Matt. 3: 5). The scriptures indicate that there are similarities between John's work and Jesus' work (Matt. 3: 1-3; 4: 17; Mk. 1: 4; Acts 2: 38). In a sense, John's baptism is a type of Jesus' baptism.
John was baptizing in Aenon because of the quantity of the water. Listen to the Bible's answer to our question: "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized" (John 3: 23).
John practiced immersion as the action of his baptism. When John baptized Jesus, Jesus "went up straightway out of the water..." (Matt. 3: 16). Such a description is consistent with immersion. In view of John's baptism having immersion as its action, it is understandable that he would seek a location with "much water."
As you consider the baptism which Jesus taught (Matt. 28: 19; Mk. 16: 16), you also find immersion being the action. "Baptism" denotes immersion. "Baptisma, baptism, consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion, and emergence," (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Vol. 1, pg. 96). The examples of baptism which lend any information relative to the action are consistent with immersion (cf. Acts 8: 38).
A burial. Moreover, baptism is said to be a burial (Rom. 6: 4; Col. 2: 12). We are "raised up" and "planted together in the likeness of His death..." (entombment, Rom. 6: 4-5; see Col. 3:1). Simply speaking, religious groups that sprinkle or pour water on people and call it "baptism" are mistaken.
John was baptizing in Aenon because of the quantity of the water. Listen to the Bible's answer to our question: "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized" (John 3: 23).
John practiced immersion as the action of his baptism. When John baptized Jesus, Jesus "went up straightway out of the water..." (Matt. 3: 16). Such a description is consistent with immersion. In view of John's baptism having immersion as its action, it is understandable that he would seek a location with "much water."
As you consider the baptism which Jesus taught (Matt. 28: 19; Mk. 16: 16), you also find immersion being the action. "Baptism" denotes immersion. "Baptisma, baptism, consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion, and emergence," (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Vol. 1, pg. 96). The examples of baptism which lend any information relative to the action are consistent with immersion (cf. Acts 8: 38).
A burial. Moreover, baptism is said to be a burial (Rom. 6: 4; Col. 2: 12). We are "raised up" and "planted together in the likeness of His death..." (entombment, Rom. 6: 4-5; see Col. 3:1). Simply speaking, religious groups that sprinkle or pour water on people and call it "baptism" are mistaken.