So the bottom line then is of what use is it? A Catholic would say it’s vital to someone’s salvation to have sins (origional sin) washed away, a Presbyterian would say it’s a ritual circumsicion, the Baptist says it’s a right of Christian passage. So which is it... and is it necessary to your faith, indeed to your salvation after all?
Then, what was Johns baptism about? The Jews of the day had ritual baths called Mikva done to clean the individual and make them presentable in front of the Lord. If you transgressed, if you had a menstral cycle, if you were converting to being a Jew, you went into the Mikva. The priests of the temple were in charge and you paid them to conduct that ritual. But now your an incredibly poor person who couldn’t pony up the money... then you remained an unclean class of person.
Here is where John the Baptist steps in. The guy is in the Jordan River, in the wilderness, freely baptizing them, telling them their sins are forgiven . Can you see the pivotal difference. And he is broadcasting to everyone that access to God is as free as water. Look you poor people, you too can be washed clean without temple interference. That is revolutionary!!! Think how the temple priests felt, you are taking away their livelihood. John, that wild man in the wilderness brings God to the poor and disenfranchised. Is there any wonder that the establishment of the day killed him.
And Jesus participated in Johns baptism. Note he never does it himself but he condones it... and there is real significance there. I suggest that all Christians consider what the Baptist and our lord Jesus were doing to free people to access to God... it’s a real eye opener.