This title “Origin of Baptism” will highlight the significance of baptism, its real meaning and its benefits.We will also examine who spoke about it first .

What does baptism mean?

The word ‘baptism’ itself is self - explanatory. It’s not an English word but is derived from the Greek word ‘baptizo’ which means ‘lifting an object after immersing it in water’. No one had been baptized in the Old Testament times until the period of John the Baptist. Baptism was not found in the Law given to Moses. Neither was it preached by priests and prophets. But we see a similar thing in Exodus 29:4-7. God instructed Moses to anoint the Priests who entered the Tabernacle after they washed themselves (not immersion in water) and wore their appropriate garment.

Who was the first person to preach about baptism?

In Acts 13:24 we read “When John had first preached before his (Jesus Christ) coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel”. From this Bible verse we understand that John preached about baptism of repentance even before Jesus appeared on the scene. John declared that he had received the command directly from God to baptize people (John 1:33).

Baptism of John the Baptist :

John’s duty was to pave and prepare the way for Christ. His Chief tasks were to preach about repentance, baptize those who confessed their sins and repented and also to preach about Christ who would anoint them with fire and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:6,11). He didn’t interfere in the matters related to synagogue, the prevalent duties of priesthood and their teaching. Instead he preached about the heinous nature of sin and its wages. He made it clear to those who were saved by him that his life is nothing compared to that of the noble life of Christ. He made it clear to those who were impacted by him, that baptism of repentance given by him is only related to the Christ’s first doctrine of repentance (Matthew 3:11).

People saved by John the Baptist:

John the Baptist never baptized infants. Not only that, if he had found that those who approached him for baptism were still living in sin, he refused to baptize them. When he saw the Pharisees and Sadducees who were drifting away from God and His word, he addressed them as ‘generation of vipers’ and exhorted them to yield fruits unto repentance (Matthew 3:7,8). He did not use baptism to expand his ministry or to increase the number of his followers.

John the Baptist’s baptism method :

We need to understand that he didn’t sprinkle water from a vessel. He gave baptism to people who genuinely repented in the Jordan River. He avoided the spots where the water was shallow and chose the place in the river where the water was deep and immersion was possible. John 3:23 says that he chose Aenon, near Salim to baptize people as the water there was deep. From this we understand that John the Baptist gave ‘baptism’ in the manner of immersion below the surface of water which address to the meaning of the word ‘baptizo’.

Baptism received by Jesus Christ:

Jesus Christ was without sin. He was the blameless son of God. There was nothing in Him to repent for. Why then, did He receive baptism? In His own words it was to fulfill the righteousness of God (Matthew 3:15). Apart from that, He had to set an example for us to follow Him by a new and living way which he has consecrated for us (Hebrews 10:19). He sanctified himself for us so that we might be sanctified through the truth (John 17:19). He said that He was showing us an example so that we should do what he has done for us (John 13:15). We read in I Peter 2:21, 22 “For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth”.

What model has Jesus Christ set for us with regard to baptism?

1. Jesus Christ received adult baptism though he was circumcised in His infancy fulfilling the requirement of Law of Moses. He was not baptized as a child.

2.Lord Jesus Christ was given a baptism of immersion and he was not baptized by sprinkling. He was baptized by John in Jordan River. When He came up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him (Mark 1:9, 10). If Jesus had had sprinkling baptism He need not have gone to the river side and may not have stepped into it.

From these facts we can conclude that we must neither support infant baptism nor sprinkling baptism.

Benefits of John’s Baptism?

1. The baptism of John gave rise to new rifts and harsh arguments over his preaching and that of the teachings of the Jewish scribes. They questioned his authority saying “Why then do you baptize, if you are not Christ, Elijah or any Prophet?” (John 1:25). They did not have spiritual vision. They could not discern the attitude of God. Neither could they accept baptism as the command of God. The Pharisees and the lawyers (those who argued the Law of Moses), refused to be baptized by him and rejected God’s counsel against themselves (Luke 7:30). Great humility is required for taking baptism.

2. The baptism of John caused many divisions in the Jewish Churches. People like tax-collectors who listened to his words, were baptized by him and declared that God was righteous. According to Luke 7:29, it is clear that the church leaders who opposed John’s baptism may have excommunicated many.

Even today those who are convinced about the right way of baptism, do not decide to obey the word of God. They prefer to be made righteous by their religious leaders and seek the honour they receive through them by giving more importance to wrong traditions. Hereby they ignore being made righteous by God and the honour they get through Him. Therefore Jesus asked “How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes only from God” (John 5:44).

It is good to lead a life of clear conscience, in obedience to the word of God, in the midst of tribulations so that God could make us righteous and strengthen us.