Now when we come to the New Testament and consider baptism, we commence with John the Baptiser. We call

him "John the Baptiser" rather than "John the Baptist" because his position was unique. In the Old Testament the

persons themselves did the baptising or washing. With the exception of Moses who consecrated Aaron, John the

Baptiser was the first person to baptise somebody else, and we are told in Scripture quite clearly why he baptised,

and what the baptism was. We are not left to guess. Let us turn to the Gospel according to Mark. The first chapter,

verse three reads "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths

straight. John did baptise in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance". This is the first thing stressed,

together with forgiveness, the remission of sins. Forgiveness was linked with John's baptism of repentance, and he

called upon them that came to him to bring forth fruits meet for repentance, that is, external actions must prove that

it was the real work inside. When Israel failed, they were called to repent and turn back to God. There had to be

that change of heart and turning back to the Lord. Many times in the Old Testament we have that stressed, and here

is the great climax. Their great King-Priest and Saviour came to them at last in the flesh. What a change there had

to be in their hearts and lives! Repentance means a change of mind, and we must not confuse it with the word

"penitence", although it may lead to this. John's baptism was linked with a change of heart and with the forgiveness

of sins. Do we preach today that God forgives our sins by our being immersed in water? We do not if we are

instructed in the Word of Truth rightly-divided. John's baptism linked together the believing remnant of the people

of Israel.

In the first chapter of John's Gospel another reason is given and a very important one, and one that is usually

ignored or passed over. The Pharisees came to him and in verse twenty five asked him "Why baptisest thou then if

thou be not the Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?" Then verses 29-31 John points to the Lord and says "I knew

Him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptising with water". How many

Baptists tell us that the Lord Jesus was baptised in water to make Him manifest to His chosen people Israel? That

was the Divine reason given for the Lord's baptism. So first of all we have the baptism of John the Baptiser

connected with repentance, and identification with the believing remnant of those who were saved, and also the

public manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah.

In Matthew's Gospel chapter three there is another baptism mentioned. Here the Baptist is saying "I indeed

baptise you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy

to bear: He shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" or literally "baptised in Holy Spirit and with

fire". The fiery Holy Spirit is referred to in the second chapter of Acts verses two and three, it is linked with the

promise of the Father in Acts 1:4 : "And, being assembled together with them, (the Lord) commanded them that they

should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me. For

John truly baptised with water; but ye shall be baptised (literally, in) Holy Spirit not many days hence". This is

explained for us in the last chapter of Luke's Gospel, the Lord again speaking to the eleven. In verse forty nine we

read "I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with

power from on high". So power from on high is connected with this fiery Holy Spirit. What was this? it was the

accompanied with the miraculous gifts. In Paul's first letter to the church at Corinth he refers to the Holy Spirit

giving these gifts and baptising them (uniting them) together. So 1 Corinthians 12:13 refers to being baptised in one

spirit and although our version says "by one Spirit", the Greek reads "in one Spirit", and so sharing these gifts

together as the Holy Spirit chose to distribute them. Thus we have a baptism that was yet to come after John the

Baptist's ministry. It was linked with the powerful enduement of the twelve for this earthly kingdom testimony by

the Holy Spirit and we find it going all through the Acts of the Apostles accompanied by evidential miracles.

There is also Peter's baptism. As Peter was divinely appointed and sent to the Jew, to the circumcision, we shall

expect this to be in keeping, and so it is. Acts chapter two describes the day of Pentecost, and here is this man

energised and guided by the Holy Spirit, so he is not making any mistakes. We read in Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said

to them, Repent and be baptised every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins". So his

ministry was similar to John the Baptist's. John preached baptism for the forgiveness of sins and so did the apostle

Peter. This is in harmony with the Lord's great statement in Mark 16 "He that believeth and is baptised, shall be