Why did Jesus and His disciples baptize?

[Zenas]

It's only mentioned in John 3:22 and John 4:1, and I don't recall seeing it discussed on this board, but Jesus and His disciples baptized large numbers of people. Even more than John the Baptist did.

Why did He do this and what kind of baptism was this? I believe any answer given would be speculative but I would still like to hear some opinions.

Anyone?

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings Zenas,

It's only mentioned in John 3:22 and John 4:1, and I don't recall seeing it discussed on this board, but Jesus and His disciples baptized large numbers of people. Even more than John the Baptist did.

Why did He do this and what kind of baptism was this? I believe any answer given would be speculative but I would still like to hear some opinions.

Baptism was introduced by John the Baptist, and was then continued by Jesus and his disciples. The full significance was not realised until after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Baptism is the appointed means of identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Mark 1:4 (KJV): John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
John 4:1 (KJV): When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
Acts 8:5 (KJV): Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Acts 8:12 (KJV): But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 22:16 (KJV): And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Romans 6:1-8 (KJV): 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Mikva:laugh: to make clean. OldxJewish ceremony.

 

[Thomas Helwys]

John 4:2 says that Jesus was not baptizing but that the disciples were, for those who care what the scripture literally says.

 

[Herald]

Trinitarian baptism was not initiated until after Jesus' resurrection. It is logical to conclude that the baptism of Jesus' disciples was the same as John's; a baptism of repentance. Keep in mind that some of Jesus' disciples were previously disciples of John, so they would have been acquainted with that baptism.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Trinitarian baptism was not initiated until after Jesus' resurrection. It is logical to conclude that the baptism of Jesus' disciples was the same as John's; a baptism of repentance. Keep in mind that some of Jesus' disciples were previously disciples of John, so they would have been acquainted with that baptism.

But he had a Briss....which is quite important to the Jews....even today! He was a nice Jewish boy....not a Goy...oye! :laugh:

 

[Gup20]

1 Cor 10:2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 and all ate the same spiritual food;
4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.
5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.
6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.

It is a spiritual signification act of repentance and turning away from sin.

 

[Zenas]

John 4:2 says that Jesus was not baptizing but that the disciples were, for those who care what the scripture literally says.

Or since John 3:22 says Jesus was baptizing and 4:2 says He didn't, it could mean that Jesus baptized a few at first, say His disciples for instance, and then turned it over to them to do.

 

[Zenas]

Trinitarian baptism was not initiated until after Jesus' resurrection. It is logical to conclude that the baptism of Jesus' disciples was the same as John's; a baptism of repentance. Keep in mind that some of Jesus' disciples were previously disciples of John, so they would have been acquainted with that baptism.

So when do you suppose the members of the first church, those who received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, got their Trinitarian baptism? There is no record of this, although they may have received it without scripture mentioning it.

 

[Thomas Helwys]

Or since John 3:22 says Jesus was baptizing and 4:2 says He didn't, it could mean that Jesus baptized a few at first, say His disciples for instance, and then turned it over to them to do.

Yes, possibly so. I wasn't trying to use the verse to establish doctrine, just pointing it out since verse 1 had been quoted but verse 2 left out.

The Quakers quote it to imply that water baptism is not necessary to salvation, a position I share, but then I don't agree with discarding something just because it isn't necessary to salvation.

 

[kyredneck]

.....what kind of baptism was this?...

It was an act of repentance/profession. The only way for those Jews of 'that generation' to be delivered [saved] from the wrath to come and avoid bringing the curses/plagues of Lev 26/Dt 28 upon themselves and their progeny was to repent and profess Christ as LORD, and water baptism was an integral part of that profession.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Mt 3:7

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. Mk 16:16

40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.
41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. Acts 2

And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. Acts 3:23

the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water: which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ; 1 Pet 3:20,21

 

[kyredneck]

Unto what then were ye Baptized?

"II. BAPTIZED UNTO MOSES (1 Corinthians 10:12)
This bit of history of the Hebrews and of the Exodus gives us a clue as to the meaning of what it means to be baptized "unto" someone or some thing. The Hebrews had been living and working "unto" their Egyptian taskmasters. They labored at making bricks with a view to pleasing these masters and thus doing the bidding of Pharaoh. The Red Sea put a difference in their view of the One to be heeded. It had separated, or marked the death of, themselves to Egypt, and the Egyptians to them. Now they had a new leader, Moses. Their being baptized "unto Moses," then meant that no longer were they to heed the voices of the masters in Egypt, but the voice of a new Master (God) whose spokesman was Moses.

III. BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST (Romans 6:3)
We are taught that we are baptized into (same word: "unto") Jesus Christ. It is not a matter of location or place, so that baptism puts us literally into Christ. This is no more true than that "baptized unto Moses" put the Hebrews into Moses. It means that baptism (like the Red Sea crossing) drew a line between former masters and the the present leader or master. Baptism declares that we have died to the world. Being dead to it we cannot heed the voice of its god (Satan) or its leaders (taskmasters). We have a new Master (Christ), and are baptized "unto" Him. With a view to heeding Him and no other, we declare (show) our death to the world and our resurrection (new life) unto God. He is our new Master, and we heed the voice of Him Who is our Head, Christ."

 

[Zaatar71]

Unto what then were ye Baptized?

"II. BAPTIZED UNTO MOSES (1 Corinthians 10:12)
This bit of history of the Hebrews and of the Exodus gives us a clue as to the meaning of what it means to be baptized "unto" someone or some thing. The Hebrews had been living and working "unto" their Egyptian taskmasters. They labored at making bricks with a view to pleasing these masters and thus doing the bidding of Pharaoh. The Red Sea put a difference in their view of the One to be heeded. It had separated, or marked the death of, themselves to Egypt, and the Egyptians to them. Now they had a new leader, Moses. Their being baptized "unto Moses," then meant that no longer were they to heed the voices of the masters in Egypt, but the voice of a new Master (God) whose spokesman was Moses.

III. BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST (Romans 6:3)
We are taught that we are baptized into (same word: "unto") Jesus Christ. It is not a matter of location or place, so that baptism puts us literally into Christ. This is no more true than that "baptized unto Moses" put the Hebrews into Moses. It means that baptism (like the Red Sea crossing) drew a line between former masters and the the present leader or master. Baptism declares that we have died to the world. Being dead to it we cannot heed the voice of its god (Satan) or its leaders (taskmasters). We have a new Master (Christ), and are baptized "unto" Him. With a view to heeding Him and no other, we declare (show) our death to the world and our resurrection (new life) unto God. He is our new Master, and we heed the voice of Him Who is our Head, Christ."

Thanks for this helpful post, it makes it more clear.

 

[37818]

. . . profess Christ as LORD . . .

He is, but in Matthew 22:43-44 is not the LORD who calls Him Lord for David.