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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: "preaching a baptism of repentance..." 'Baptism is being identified as a disciple (Matt. 28:18-9). 'Baptism may be compared to a new birth (John 3:5). 'Baptism is compared to Jesus' death and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-5). 'Baptism is compared to Israel's Exodus and passing through the Red Sea (1 Cor. 10:2). 'Baptism is compared to Noah's escaping the flood waters by entering the ark (1 Pet. 3:21). 'In each of the references above, baptism is an identification with something. When people were baptized into John the Baptist's baptism of repentance, it wasn't the baptism that granted them repentance or made repentance real. Repentance is something that happens internally and is the work of God (2 Tim. 2:25). To participate in John's baptism was to publicly proclaim that the person being baptized was accepting John's message or repentance. Hence, it was called a baptism of repentance. It wasn't the baptism that brought repentance; rather, baptism was the result of repentance. The person had to first decide to repent, and then become baptized as a proclamation of his decision.' ____________________ http://www.carm.org/doctrine/Rom_6_3-5.htm |