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NASB | Luke 3:3 And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 3:3 And he went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin; |
Bible Question:
We are instructed to be baptized after we are saved. Since we know that baptism doesn't save a person I am wondering what was the purpose of John's baptism? |
Bible Answer: Hi Mr. Joe, When they asked John who he was, he answered, John 1:23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. Isaiah adds insight to John's mission: Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. John also says, John 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. I see in these passages a couple of reasons for John's baptism. For the Israelites, that he would prepare the way of the Lord. For the Christ, that he would reveal Him to Israel. John's baptism was of repentance: Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; It was a time for the Israelites to put away their sins and to receive their King. The Jews were very familiar with ritual cleansing, and this was a cleansing of the whole person, preparing for the Holy One of Israel to come to them. John was the last prophet of the Old Covenant. Matthew 11:13 "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John." The final work of the law and the prophets is to prepare you to receive Christ. The Law reveals your sin to you. As you confess and repent, then Jesus receives you into His life. We are baptized to show our joining with Christ in His death and resurrection, and our now living the eternal life that Christ lives. They were baptized to show the repentance from sin, and their readiness to receive Him, before His death and resurrection. Then Jesus came to John to be baptized. This was the occasion that the Father had chosen to reveal His Son to the Isrealites, and so He sent John for that purpose also. As Jesus came up from the water, Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. the Father declared Jesus to be His pleasing a beloved Son. I hope this helps! Love in Christ, Mark |