Thank you for the interpretative question on John 4:1–2, “In the gospel of John 4:1-2, do we have any information regarding the nature, import, or process of the baptisms they would have conducted?”
As one reads about John the Baptist, one can glean about the nature and process of the baptism of John and by the disciples of Jesus.
John 4 says this, “Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples” (A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages). Bible citations are from the New International Version.
Matthew 3 says this, “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” 4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River… 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.11 “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. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (NIV).
From observing the above passage and other parallel passages, one can observe John the Baptist’s message and mode of baptism. Here are some thoughts for one’s consideration:
I. The Message of John the Baptist:
A. John the Baptist preached a message of repentance because the Kingdom of God is near (Matt. 3:2).
B. John the Baptist preached a message of personal confession of sins (Matt. 3:6).
C. John the Baptist preached a message of providing evidence of a changed heart of belief (Matt. 3:8).
D. John the Baptist preached a message of impending judgment on unrepentant Jews (Matt. 3:12).
E. John the Baptist preached a message of someone coming with power and exalted position (Matt. 3:11b).
II. The Mode of Baptism by John the Baptist:
A. The person must be willing to publicly declare their sins before God, John the Baptist, and the people. They were witnesses of that person’s public confession.
B. The person was baptized with water as a symbol of one’s cleansing/washing of sins from one’s life. The mode of baptism is with water. Is it by sprinkling, pouring or immersion? Matthew 3:16 seems to imply that Jesus dipped himself or was immerse with water since the text states that he came up out of the water. It can be interpreted that he was walking out from the water or coming up out of the water. In either case, Jesus was baptized with water.
Based on the Qumran scrolls, washing was an integral part of the community life. Jesus commanded his followers be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. There is that identification of not with John the Baptist but with Jesus and being his followers (Matt. 28:18–20).
Matthew notes that Jesus didn’t baptize anyone but his disciples did the baptizing. One can imagine if followers of Jesus prided themselves as being baptized by one of the 11 apostles, how much more if one can claim that s/he was baptized by Jesus! It is important to note that there is no Scriptural recording that the 12 Apostles were re-baptized in Jesus’ name after his ascension or on the Day of Pentecost. This does not mean that they weren’t baptized, but the biblical text is silent on that point. Peter does exhort the believers to be baptized in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:38).
SUMMARY: The baptism of John the Baptist was in preparation for the imminent coming of the Kingdom of God and the Messiah through confession and baptism as an outward sign of their belief in John’s message that the Kingdom of God is near.
For more perspectives: