Lesson 1828

(Lesson 1828)(10-19-16) John 3:22-23

"After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."

The first part of today's quote says Jesus tarried with his disciples and "baptized". That statement can easily be misunderstood without proper study.

I used these two short verses as one lesson so as to define the intent of the word "baptized" as it is applied herein. "BaptizeD" as it is applied in both usages herein, refers to a ritual water baptism (cleansing) that was required by ancient Hebrew law of all Jews before they could enter into any religious activity, such as prayer, worship, or the offering of a sacrifice. Water baptism was intended to symbolically wash away the uncleanliness of the world in preparation for entry into a holy place, it was NEVER intended as a means by which ones sins could be remitted.

I also wanted to further establish that the ONLY baptism Jesus ever performed, either then or now, was/is the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The baptism of the Holy Ghost occurs when one places his/her faith in the virgin borne life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the only perfect human man to have ever lived, Jesus Christ.

As John 4:1-3 tells us, Jesus did not actually immerse anyone in water, that preparatory ritual was carried out by other disciples."When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee."~