Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Harmony of the Gospels, Jesus Co-Ministry With John, John 3:22-30

Harmony of the Gospels, Jesus Co-Ministry With John, John 3:22-30
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenen near to Salem, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. (John 3:22-24)

“After these things”, is after the things that are written in the previous verses, and Jesus has just finished His interview with Nicodemus. Here it says that Jesus was baptizing, and later on it will be reported that His disciples were baptizing. John the Baptist was close by and he was also baptizing, “because there was much water there.” This is one of the passages that I believe proves that immersion is the proper mode of baptism. If they were sprinkling, why would they need much water? The record of the baptism of Jesus and the Ethiopian eunuch, also point to immersion. For example, the gospel writer says of Jesus’ baptism, that “He came up out of the water.” Also, immersion is a better picture of the death and resurrection of Christ. It is my opinion that scripture teaches that immersion is the proper mode of baptism.

At this time, John was still able to preach, “…..the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). But, Herod will soon imprison him.

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