Jesus says that there are two baptisms: “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:5 Jesus baptizes in the Holy Ghost, not water. He never baptized with water.
John says that Jesus’ baptism is greater: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire;” Matthew 3:11
Why does John say this? Because:
Jesus is the way;
John prepares the way
Jesus baptizes with the Holy Ghost;
John baptizes in water
Jesus baptizes unto complete redemption (salvation);
John baptizes unto repentance only
Jesus baptizes unto life;
John baptizes unto death
What does John’s baptism do?
The baptism of water saves us by the answer of a good conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It does not put away the filth of the flesh. I Peter 3:21
What does Jesus’ baptism do?
The baptism of the Holy Ghost begins the purifying of the flesh – as by fire – unto perfection, or life: complete salvation.
The Great Commission
Many in the Christian Church believe that the baptism of the Great Commission refers to water baptism. It does not. Jesus’ final statements, as found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts refer specifically to his baptism: the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Review his words: in Matthew, “…baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:“; in Mark, “…is baptized…they shall speak with NEW* tongues;”; in Luke, “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.”; in Acts, “…but ye shall be BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST not many days hence…But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Taken together, the conclusion must be Jesus’ baptism of the Spirit.
*NEW – Strongs: G2537 kainos a) recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn b) of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of
Jesus’ Final Words Before He Ascended
Matthew 28
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Luke 24
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And he said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. 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.
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
Acts 1
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost
John knew why he came baptizing
John 1:29-34
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
This is why John baptized in water
“…but that he should be made manifest to Israel,
therefore am I come baptizing with water.”
This is why Jesus baptizes with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
To have a Holy, Anointed, Perfect Church