Why didn't Jesus Baptize?

Word_Swordsman · Jun 20, 2015

First, let's prove Jesus never baptized anyone with John's water baptism. John 4:1-2 (KJV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
[SUP]2 [/SUP] (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

There is no direct statement on scriptures as to why.

A reason is John was given that ministry to bring people to repentance, what was required for anyone to submit to. Jesus then came preaching repentance from sin, confirmed John's message, then added his gospel message. Unlike John the baptist, Jesus didn't include water baptism in his gospel. Some of his disciples were formerly of John, carrying on John's water baptism. There was nothing wrong with it, except that it could only serve as a physical sign of repentance, having nothing to do with baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Only Jesus could do that after his death and resurrection.

Christians have continued using water baptism to symbolize the spiritual death, burial and resurrection of believers. However, there is another baptism experience beyond that one that originally addressed repentance, one unfamiliar to John's disciples that were not of Jesus' disciples., yet John said would come through Jesus. Here's what happened with 12 of them over 2 decades after Pentecost in Acts 2.

Acts 19:4-6 (KJV)
[SUP]4 [/SUP] Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
[SUP]6 [/SUP] And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Another good reason not to water baptize people already baptized unto repentance by John was that baptism paved the way to approach Jesus, having repented of sin. So, we typically perform a water baptism with little or no delay upon a person becoming a new believer, having repented. His way to Christ is then publicly testified to.

A third reason is mentioned by Paul. He only baptized a few people, yet was "spiritual father" to untold numbers who believed on Christ through his preaching. He avoided that practice, not wanting to have some people bragging they were personally baptized by Paul. Anyone who could testify of being baptized by Jesus personally could cause great divisions through jealousy. Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 1:11-17 (KJV)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
[SUP]12 [/SUP] Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
[SUP]13 [/SUP] Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
[SUP]14 [/SUP] I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
[SUP]15 [/SUP] Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
[SUP]16 [/SUP] And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
[SUP]17 [/SUP] For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

He got his understanding from the Lord, who made it clear what he was sent to do, too.

John 6:38 (KJV)
[SUP]38 [/SUP] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

John 12:47 (KJV)
[SUP]47 [/SUP] And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
John 18:37 (KJV)
[SUP]37 [/SUP] Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Said from the apostle John...1 John 3:8 (KJV)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

John the baptist has his peculiar ministry. Jesus great commandment didn't say do his ministry, but his his gospel.
The gospel approach to God is to hear the gospel, believe it enough to be convinced to turn away from sin (repent), then submit to follow Jesus, not John. John was beheaded very soon after Jesus took up his gospel message. That decision, marked by water baptism, precedes entry into Christ. Water baptism doesn't save anyone, yet another reason Jesus didn't personally water baptize anyone. Then Jesus baptizes a believer in the Holy Spirit, empowering to do works of righteousness, what we are saved to do.

Hope that answers.

Jabberjaw · Jun 20, 2015

Word_Swordsman said:

First, let's prove Jesus never baptized anyone with John's water baptism. John 4:1-2 (KJV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
[SUP]2 [/SUP] (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

There is no direct statement on scriptures as to why.

A reason is John was given that ministry to bring people to repentance, what was required for anyone to submit to. Jesus then came preaching repentance from sin, confirmed John's message, then added his gospel message. Unlike John the baptist, Jesus didn't include water baptism in his gospel. Some of his disciples were formerly of John, carrying on John's water baptism. There was nothing wrong with it, except that it could only serve as a physical sign of repentance, having nothing to do with baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Only Jesus could do that after his death and resurrection.

Christians have continued using water baptism to symbolize the spiritual death, burial and resurrection of believers. However, there is another baptism experience beyond that one that originally addressed repentance, one unfamiliar to John's disciples that were not of Jesus' disciples., yet John said would come through Jesus. Here's what happened with 12 of them over 2 decades after Pentecost in Acts 2.

Acts 19:4-6 (KJV)
[SUP]4 [/SUP] Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
[SUP]6 [/SUP] And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Another good reason not to water baptize people already baptized unto repentance by John was that baptism paved the way to approach Jesus, having repented of sin. So, we typically perform a water baptism with little or no delay upon a person becoming a new believer, having repented. His way to Christ is then publicly testified to.

A third reason is mentioned by Paul. He only baptized a few people, yet was "spiritual father" to untold numbers who believed on Christ through his preaching. He avoided that practice, not wanting to have some people bragging they were personally baptized by Paul. Anyone who could testify of being baptized by Jesus personally could cause great divisions through jealousy. Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 1:11-17 (KJV)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
[SUP]12 [/SUP] Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
[SUP]13 [/SUP] Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
[SUP]14 [/SUP] I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
[SUP]15 [/SUP] Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
[SUP]16 [/SUP] And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
[SUP]17 [/SUP] For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

He got his understanding from the Lord, who made it clear what he was sent to do, too.

John 6:38 (KJV)
[SUP]38 [/SUP] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

John 12:47 (KJV)
[SUP]47 [/SUP] And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
John 18:37 (KJV)
[SUP]37 [/SUP] Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Said from the apostle John...1 John 3:8 (KJV)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

John the baptist has his peculiar ministry. Jesus great commandment didn't say do his ministry, but his his gospel.
The gospel approach to God is to hear the gospel, believe it enough to be convinced to turn away from sin (repent), then submit to follow Jesus, not John. John was beheaded very soon after Jesus took up his gospel message. That decision, marked by water baptism, precedes entry into Christ. Water baptism doesn't save anyone, yet another reason Jesus didn't personally water baptize anyone. Then Jesus baptizes a believer in the Holy Spirit, empowering to do works of righteousness, what we are saved to do.

Hope that answers.

If what you say is true, you teach more than one baptism (there is only one Ephesians 4:5),

Ephesians 4:5 (KJV)
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

You teach Jesus telling his disciples to sin since you falsely teach Jesus telling them to do a SECOND baptism that only HE could do?:

Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

1) you teach more than one baptism, as you claim Jesus to do all the baptizing with the HS, yet Jesus told his disciples to go throughout the world baptizing (you have two baptisms when there is only one Eph. 4:5)

2) you did not answer the question as to why the bible never teaches that Jesus baptized anyone other than the Apostles and the house of Cornelius with the HS.

Jabberjaw · Jun 20, 2015

fredjames said:

John 3:25-26 does not claim that Jesus actually baptized, John in verse 3 did not contradict himself in John 4:2 when he said:

John 4:2 (KJV)
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Jabberjaw · Jun 20, 2015

Willie-T said:

Sounds to me like you're clueless to the answer, so you try and make yourself look smart by telling someone you think they are stupid...

If you don't know the answer then clam up and let others that may or may not know with the help of God find the truth, because it is surly not in you...

Willie-T · Jun 20, 2015

Jabberjaw said:

You are aptly named. LOL I typed out the full and concise answer for the lazy OP, and she just wants someone to give her a list of numbers to turn to.

Jabberjaw · Jun 20, 2015

valiant said:

Matthew 28:19 commissions His disciples to baptize,

Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

He does not tell His disciples to go throughout all nations teaching them and He would baptize them, he told the disciples to baptize, therefore it is not the baptism of the HS he commanded to be done, it was water baptism, there is only one baptism you're teaching two :

Ephesians 4:5 (KJV)
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

You have not answered the question of the OP, it was why doesn't the bible teach about Jesus ever baptizing anyone, the book of John does not contradict its self, John clearly dismisses any mention of Jesus baptizing to be the baptism Jesus taught, the one done by His disciples :

John 4:2 (KJV)
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Jabberjaw · Jun 20, 2015

Willie-T said:

I hear you spout, yet you have not shown one scripture to answer that of the OP, you my friend are the lazy one, (or the one who cannot say they don't know).

When you can say something showing why Jesus Himself did not baptize (and show it with scripture) then your comments purely show your ignorance of the word of God

Willie-T · Jun 20, 2015

Jabberjaw said:

Are you that thick? Really?

That is not even what she asked me to tell her about. Put down the pipe.

CRC · Jun 20, 2015

At John 4:1-3 we read: “When, now, the Master became aware that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John—although, indeed, Jesus himself did no baptizing but his disciples did—he left Judea and departed again for Galilee.”
In view of these great numbers that came to Jesus for baptism, it is reasonable to conclude that Jesus left their baptizing to his disciples so as to leave himself free for the more important work of spiritual and physical healing. Then too, Jesus no doubt refrained from baptizing any at all so that no one later would feel superior because of having been baptized by the Son of God or less favored because of not having been so privileged. Even as the apostle Paul years later wrote regarding his own case: “I am thankful I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.”—1 Cor. 1:14, 15.
Besides, the baptism that Jesus’ disciples performed before Pentecost was the same as that of John and his disciples, namely, for the purpose of symbolizing repentance in preparation for the promised Messiah. Had Jesus himself baptized he could not logically have done so in preparation for himself. He would therefore have been obliged to begin something new, a baptism in his own name, the time for which did not arrive until the day of Pentecost.
Thus we have ample and compelling reasons why Jesus Christ, when on earth, left the baptizing in water in symbol of repentance to his disciples.

Jabberjaw · Jun 20, 2015

Willie-T said:

It is you that has been smoking something, you can't even remember the OP (news flash, its still there in post #1) ill quote it for you here:

"I read something the other day and I cannot find scripture as to why Jesus did not baptize? "

Now if you can show the scripture that shows Jesus actually baptizing other than by His disciples put it up, Ill wait while you are pulling your foot out of your mouth.

p_rehbein · Jun 20, 2015

The baptism of Jesus (as others have stated) is of the Holy Spirit and fire........and that is in Scripture. He did not "water baptize," but His disciples did. He taught them/us to water baptize, but water baptism is not the baptism of Jesus as I read Scripture. We must also remember the precious blood of Jesus. Some Scriptures to consider:

The Precious Blood of Jesus

1. Leviticus 17:11, 14 (cp. Deuteronomy 12:23) “For the life of the flesh
is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an
atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement
for the soul…. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life
thereof …”

2. Hebrews 9:22 “Without the shedding of blood, there is
no remission of sins.”

3. 1 John 1:7″… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth
us from all sin.”

5. Exodus 12:13 “… and when I see the blood, I will pass over
you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you,
when I smite the land of Egypt.”

6. Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood
of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony …”

7. Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,
purge your conscience …

8. Hebrews 10:19, 22 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter
into the holiest by the blood of Jesus … Let us draw near with a true
heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an
evil conscience …”

9. Hebrews 13:12 “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify
the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.”

10. Romans 3:24-25 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”

11. Romans 5:9 “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

Jabberjaw · Jun 20, 2015

CRC said:

At John 4:1-3 we read: “When, now, the Master became aware that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John—although, indeed, Jesus himself did no baptizing but his disciples did—he left Judea and departed again for Galilee.”
In view of these great numbers that came to Jesus for baptism, it is reasonable to conclude that Jesus left their baptizing to his disciples so as to leave himself free for the more important work of spiritual and physical healing. Then too, Jesus no doubt refrained from baptizing any at all so that no one later would feel superior because of having been baptized by the Son of God or less favored because of not having been so privileged. Even as the apostle Paul years later wrote regarding his own case: “I am thankful I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.”—1 Cor. 1:14, 15.
Besides, the baptism that Jesus’ disciples performed before Pentecost was the same as that of John and his disciples, namely, for the purpose of symbolizing repentance in preparation for the promised Messiah. Had Jesus himself baptized he could not logically have done so in preparation for himself. He would therefore have been obliged to begin something new, a baptism in his own name, the time for which did not arrive until the day of Pentecost.
Thus we have ample and compelling reasons why Jesus Christ, when on earth, left the baptizing in water in symbol of repentance to his disciples.

This is as close I think to as good an answer that could be given to the OP.

Willie-T · Jun 20, 2015

Jabberjaw said:

Yes.... and I clearly answered WHY Jesus, Himself, told us that He did not baptize.... He said that His mission was to destroy the work of the devil.

From there, she wants to be hand held to verses. I told her I knew there were at least four or five, off the top of my head, and that if she wanted to know where to find each one of them, to go ahead and GOOGLE the sentence I had typed out for her. It doesn't seem to be important enough to her to look up.... she wants someone else to go find each one for her, and give her a nice little list.

Well, if it isn't that important to her........

Jabberjaw · Jun 20, 2015

p_rehbein said:

I agree, but it must be remembered that Jesus commissioned His disciples to baptize, and we are told there is one baptism:

Ephesians 4:5 (KJV)
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

therefore there is no recording of Jesus baptizing anyone other than the Apostles and the house of Cornelius with the HS baptism, all other baptisms, including that of the one Jesus commissioned the disciples to do (Matt 28:19), are water baptism that one and only baptism of Eph 4:5, CRC gave as good a reason for Jesus to have never baptized, comparing the scripture he posted of Paul, when they were thinking their baptism superior depending on who did the baptizing, of which Paul corrected them

Jabberjaw · Jun 20, 2015

Willie-T said:

Okay, hold my hand Willie, show me where any scripture that says He came to destroy the work of the devil shows WHY JESUS IS NEVER RECORDED OF BAPTIZING ANYONE YET COMMANDS ALL TO BE BAPTIZED?

He also said He cam to save the world, would that be one of your so called many scriptures that show why Jesus did not baptize anyone?

Give us all a break, lets see some scripture, put up or shut up and let others through the help of God find a satisfactory answer for the one who posted the original question.

See if you can top CRC, that was as good an answer I think as anyone could give with what has been given to us in the word of God

Willie-T · Jun 20, 2015

Good grief, I'm in with a bunch of kids who must never have learned to research anything. ("Tell me where to look... I don't know how.")
Here is a list for you of what Jesus came to do...... None of it says a word about parking in a river to baptize people. That is why He didn't set up in a river and baptize people.

Teaching Home, Why Did Jesus Come? 21 Reasons

Jabberjaw · Jun 20, 2015

Willie-T said:

And in all your research you did for all of us little kids, you or your link still have still not shown why Jesus never baptized anyone, yet he commanded all to be baptized...

Try better next time.

posthuman · Jun 20, 2015

MsLimpet, like WordSwordsman posted, the fact that Jesus never baptized with H[SUB]2[/SUB]O is found here:

Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John — although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.
(John 4:1-2)

but it is not technically correct to say that Christ Himself did not or does not baptize at all -- just that He does not use H[SUB]2[/SUB]O; He baptizes with a greater baptism, that of Spirit & "fire" -- that's found in a couple of places:

John the baptist foretells Christ's baptism here, and makes a distinction between man's and God's baptism:

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(Matthew 3:11)

the same statement is also recorded in Luke 3:16.

Christ told the disciples this also, found here:

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 1:5)

after Peter visited with the gentile Cornelius and saw the holy Spirit poured out on them while he was preaching, before they had ever been H[SUB]2[/SUB]O baptized by any men, he realized that it was God who truly baptizes, not the ritual of men, as the disciples had previously understood, and that the gospel was for all mankind, not just the Jews, because God Himself had shown these people to be approved at the moment they heard and believed, not only after they went through some ritual steps. explaining what had happened to the other believers, Peter recalled what Christ had said:

Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
(Acts 11:16)

we attribute this baptism of Spirit to the hand of Christ, not the hand of men.
that is why i would say Christ does baptize, but not with H[SUB]2[/SUB]O -- and He does it when we hear and believe - our obedient actions afterwards notwithstanding. i believe this is how Peter understood it too - as he says in 1 Peter 3:21, it is not the washing of water, but the answer of a good conscious towards God -- that is, it is faith, not the ritual we practice itself that saves.

i could go on. Paul says there is only one baptism (Ephesians 4:5) -- so it must be that baptism by God's hand, not by the hand of people. he also mentions circumcision by God's hand, not men's, being the "true" circumcision (Colossians 2:11), so also the baptism by God's hand, not man's, is the true one.

all this doesn't mean that H[SUB]2[/SUB]O baptism is bad, or that it should not be done, or anything like that. it means that what we've all done in being baptized publicly with H[SUB]2[/SUB]O is only a symbol of what God Himself has done in out hearts. when you heard the gospel and believed it, God put His Spirit in you and began to change you. from that point on, you have become His own, and you are made clean by Him, declared righteous and justified by Christ's blood, according to the faith you have in Him, by His grace.

some people will argue about this, because they want power to be their own, instead of God's -- so they'll idolize the ritual as though it is the important thing. it is not. we need to be obedient, but if anyone believes and has faith in Christ, even if they are never baptized in H[SUB]2[/SUB]O, they are approved by God. again, we should be baptized with H[SUB]2[/SUB]O as an obedient reply in good faith to what God did to us in our heart, to testify to people about what has happened to us. as a sign.
but our faith is in God, not in a priest. our salvation is worked by Jesus, and no one else.

Utah · Jun 20, 2015

Great question and many great responses.

I like the thought that Jesus is the Living Water and He baptizes everyone who has faith in Him.

Jabberjaw · Jun 20, 2015

posthuman said: