Pastor, I Have a Question November-December 2014

QUESTION: Was John the Baptist ever baptized?
ANSWER: God sent John to prepare Israel for the Savior. Luke 1:16-17 states: And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, “to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,” and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1: 76-79 states: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
John links Old Testament promises and the fulfillment in Jesus. He is the last Old Testament prophet. He dressed like a prophet. He lived in the wilderness, as did many Old Testament prophets. He preached repentance, the main task of the Old Testament prophets. John became a member of the kingdom of God on the eighth day of his life when his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, presented him to the Lord for circumcision.
Baptism was not a new concept. There were special washings for defiled Israelites and for Gentile converts. From the wilderness, John called Israel to repent and be baptized. This was unique. John preached: “‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.”’”
There is no Biblical record John was baptized. Matthew (3:13-17) recorded Jesus’ baptism: Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus didn’t baptize.
Jesus didn’t need to repent. He had no sin. He stepped into Baptism for us, empowering our baptism. By it, we received the Holy Spirit, the source of our faith, and all Jesus did for our salvation. He washed us in His blood. He made us fit for His kingdom.
Jesus said of John, “For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 11:10-15).
Rev. Charles Keeler
Resurrection Lutheran Church
Winter Haven, FL
cjohnk@aol.com