Lesson 2406

(Lesson 2406)(07-17-18) Mark 1:4
    “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."

    Today’s quote relates two distinctly different intents, or definitions, for the same root word, baptize (or baptism). In today’s quote, the first application of the word “baptize” defines a ritual, of water immersion, supervised by John, that was uniformly required of every religeously devoted Jew before he/she could enter into any form of religious facility or practice.
    The second application of the word, “baptism”, defines the message John taught, the message requiring that those who heard it should repent their old ways, accept God’s grace and redevote themselves to their relationship with God. John did indeed, “preach” the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. In the first application (baptize) defined a person being enwrapped in water, the second application (baptism) defined the acceptance of a certain teaching.
    John could not ‘preach’ a physical water baptism, he ‘preached’ a message; Therefore, the word ‘baptize’, as applied in the quote, refers to a physical water immersion, The word ‘baptism’ refers to the message John preached.~
NOTE: Ther will be more discussion of this topic as these lessons proceed.