THE rite of baptism by water was not inaugurated by Jesus; it was practiced before his time by some religious teachers. It is mentioned in the Bible in connection with John the Baptist, the great preacher of the wilderness, whose name has been so closely associated with it ever since. The Jews flocked to hear John's preaching and to be immersed by him in the river Jordan as a sign that they had repented, desired purification, and had been accepted as his followers. Among those who came to John was Jesus. And what do we read in the Biblical story? Greater even in his humility than in his fiery zeal, the Baptist exclaimed in wonder on Jesus' approach, "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" Gently the Master answered him, "Suffer it to be so now." Only "now"; for well he knew the power of the greater baptism he himself was bringing, a baptism which was to sweep away all mere outward forms and carry its purifying influence to the innermost hearts of men!
All are familiar with the impressive scene on the bank of the Jordan, when John proclaimed Jesus the Messiah of promise—the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Even before Jesus came to him, John had foreseen the one mightier than he, and had recognized and defined the difference between the baptism which he, John, had been giving and that which was to be brought to the world by the Christ. Listen to his words as recorded by Matthew: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." Here, in the very beginning, is the distinction clearly made between the material form—baptism by water, even though used as a symbol of repentance—and the spiritual baptism of purification which was to be instituted by Jesus. The incident as recorded in the Gospel of John is equally emphatic. There it says, "He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."
Throughout the New Testament this distinction between the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus may be traced. In Acts we are told of Apollos, the Alexandrian Jew, who became a Christian and was active in the work of the church, "knowing only the baptism of John; " but two Christians of the early church, Aquila and Priscilla, "took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." Later, when Paul came to Ephesus, he found many who had not received the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. On questioning them, he found they had been baptized only "unto John's baptism." Paul then explained to them the better way, referring to John's words already quoted. The higher thought being joyfully accepted by these earnest students, immediately "the Holy Ghost came on them."
