Articles, Bible Questions and Discipleship Guides

Judy Asked:

Was the baptism of John the Baptist different than ours now?

Hi Judy,

Thank you for your question.

As you likely know, baptism is a vital sacrament in the Christian faith. It's essential to understand its roots. As you noted, John the Baptist is one significant figure in the early baptism narrative.  Obviously, what John did predates the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This brings us to an important question: “Was the baptism that John the Baptist offered different from baptism today?”

The Baptism of John:

John the Baptist, a forerunner of Jesus, played a pivotal role in preparing the way for the Messiah. He offered a baptism of repentance in the wilderness, calling the people of Israel to turn away from their sins in anticipation of the coming Savior.

As stated in Mark 1:4, "John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." It is crucial to note that John's baptism was a symbolic act expressing one's repentance and desire to be cleansed of sin, preparing one's heart to receive the Messiah.

The Transition: The Baptism of Jesus

A key turning point in the baptism narrative is the baptism of Jesus Himself. Although sinless, Jesus was baptized by John. In Matthew 3:15, Jesus says, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Jesus' baptism affirmed John's ministry. It also was a way that Jesus identified Himself with us, marking the inauguration of His public ministry.

Baptism in the Light of the Resurrection:

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead brought a profound new dimension to the practice of baptism. The Apostle Paul explains in Romans 6:4, "We were therefore buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Baptism now symbolizes identification not only with the death of Jesus but also with His resurrection. It’s a sign of the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and resurrection to a new life in Christ.

The Christian Baptism Today:

Today's Christian baptism is rooted in Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Christian baptism now signifies the believer's identification with the Triune God and the global community of believers.

In essence, while John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, looking forward to the coming of Christ, Christian baptism today is a baptism of identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection and the promise of eternal life that Jesus’ resurrection guarantees.

The Continuing Importance of Repentance:

Despite these differences, it is crucial to remember that the theme of repentance present in John's baptism still holds significance today. Acts 2:38 records Peter’s words: "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Thus, while the symbolism has deepened, the element of repentance remains integral to the act of baptism.

Conclusion:

So, while there are shared themes of repentance and spiritual cleansing, the baptism performed by John the Baptist differs from Christian baptism practiced today primarily due to the latter's association with Christ's death and resurrection. As believers, our baptism symbolizes our personal identification with Christ's transformative journey from death to resurrection, signifying our new life in Him.