John the Baptist's marching order: Luke 1:76-79 (KJV)
[SUP]76 [/SUP] And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
[SUP]77 [/SUP] To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
[SUP]78 [/SUP] Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
[SUP]79 [/SUP] To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
John was sent to bring knowledge. He preached repentance as required for remission of sin. People confessed their sins and were water baptized. But confessing sins doesn't remit them. They confessed, in position to receive remission from Christ.
Matthew 26:28 (KJV)
[SUP]28 [/SUP] For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Water baptism only affords the opportunity to testify of one's confessing sin and repenting of sin. Without repenting one goes no further with God. Next the blood of Jesus cleanses, remits, us of sin after repenting of sin. Water can't do that.
Connect the dots.
Acts 2:38 (KJV)
[SUP]38 [/SUP] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
What baptism could possibly accomplish remission of sins?
Being washed by the blood of Jesus.
Washed in His blood! That's Jesus' baptism, which makes us eligible for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Our marching orders:
Luke 24:46-49 (KJV)
[SUP]46 [/SUP] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
[SUP]47 [/SUP] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
[SUP]48 [/SUP] And ye are witnesses of these things.
[SUP]49 [/SUP] And, behold, 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.
One last thing that has been avoided over and over here. I asked why Jesus didn't take up John's ministry of baptizing people in water. Not one instance is on record. What? What to do? Love Jesus' preaching, believe it, then have to go get baptized by John? No. John was in prison. So who? What disciples carried on water baptism on a regular basis like John did?
From the time of John the Baptist's beheading until Pentecost there is a gap in water baptism, Jesus not offering it. Why? Jesus was revealed, the mission of John fulfilled. The crowds followed Jesus. People had the same opportunity face to face with the Lord Jesus to confess and repent, but still have to wait for remission (forgiveness, deliverance) of their sins by His shed blood.
It is that shed blood that saves us. Everything up to that leads to salvation.
Wonder why Paul avoided water baptizing believers?
1 Corinthians 1:12-18 (KJV)
[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.
[SUP]18 [/SUP] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.