Main Scripture: Matthew 3:6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
The him in this portion of scripture was John the Baptist. After Malachi there was no prophet until John the Baptist came. For a refresher, Malachi was a prophet who wrote the final book in the Old Testament that was candidly labeled “Malachi.”. The word “Malachi” in Hebrew means “messenger.” John emerged from the wilderness of Judea. Judea was not totally an uninhabited desert, but a section of the countryside that was not richly populated with people or dwellings. This country was enclosed by raw untouched land not developed by mankind. Therefore, the doctrine John the Baptist preached could have only came from God. It was a rather simple message. God told John the Baptist to preach repentance and baptism. Group one seems to count baptism out and only focus on the first part. While, group two focuses on exactly what the scriptures instruct us to do.
The word repent implies a total modification in the mind. John preached we must seek pardon and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. The way of sin and Satan is a devious way; but to prepare a way for Christ, the paths must be made upright. Consider Hebrews 12:13. Hebrews 12:13 (KJV) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Just as in the time era of John the Baptist, if we are ready to receive Jesus Christ as our righteousness we must bring our sorrow, shame, and guilt. We must be pardoned and bought through the blood of Jesus Christ. The benefits of the kingdom of heaven are sealed to us in baptism.
John the Baptist washed them in water and we also are baptized in water to cleanse us from all our iniquities. This intimates, that our polluted bodies were separated from God and heaven, but now are washed in the fountain Christ! Zechariah 13:1 (KJV) In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
So, the question to this debate is as follows: Is Baptism necessary for the remission of our sins? According to you, your denomination, or John the Baptist and scripture?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
