Baptism, John's

John's baptism was a rite of repentance and preparation for the coming kingdom, distinct from both Jewish proselyte baptism and the later Christian ordinance. John administered it in the Jordan River to those who confessed their sins and turned from them in anticipation of the one who would come after him and baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11). Jesus himself submitted to John's baptism, not because he needed repentance but to fulfil all righteousness — to identify fully with sinful humanity and inaugurate his messianic mission.

The book of Acts records that John's baptism remained in circulation decades after Pentecost. Apollos, an eloquent Alexandrian who taught about Jesus accurately, knew only the baptism of John and needed fuller instruction from Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:24–26). At Ephesus, Paul encountered disciples who had received only John's baptism, were unaware of the Holy Spirit, and were subsequently baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and received the Spirit through Paul's laying on of hands (Acts 19:1–7). John's baptism was thus preparatory and incomplete — sufficient for its moment but pointing toward a fuller reality it did not itself convey.