water only for JOHN
Member
John 1:31-34The correct framing of the question is crucial. Correctly framed the question would be, why is baptism a ceremony performed in water?
That is one reason John gave for his baptism. Here is the reason Mark gave for John's baptism:
"John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." - Mark 1:4 NASBBelieving, as I do, in the inerrancy of scripture I'd have to say there is more than one purpose. At least two reasons, possibly more that may, or may not be recorded in scripture.
And making them disciples of his teaching about repentance for the remission of sins.
Well, if that is so his disciples didn't get that memo. Because they are still baptizing up a storm in John chapters 3 and 4.
When Jesus responded to John it was about Jesus' presentation of himself for baptism. He wasn't responding to John's rhetorical retort. So I don't believe Jesus believed that John actually requested that he [Jesus] baptize John.
This seems to be part of an argument that there was only one reason for John's baptism, and we demonstrated above that, that is not the case.
If the righteousness category ended at Jesus' baptism, what is sanctification about?
Well, you seemed to have missed John 3 and 4 not to mention the entire book of Acts.
It made complete, perfect and exhaustive sense had you left my post as it was.
Obviously, that is not the case:
"As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" [And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."] And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing." - Acts 8:36–39 NASBSo here is a question, what did the eunuch have to "believe with all [his] heart?" John's teaching about repentance, or the gospel which Philip just preached? The eunuch's answer was "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." That reminds me a lot more of the gospel than John's teaching about repentance.
Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a ""DOVE ""and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
QUESTION....
Did GOD give JOHN the Baptist
Instructions to LOOK for a DOVE TO Identify THE SON OF GOD ?