"And they were being baptized by him in the Jordan river," Mark 1:5.
So baptizer John baptizes all sorts of people. Why? because they wanted to repent. To change their hearts and minds. And while they were at it, to confess their sins. So as to be forgiven of their sins. Sometimes we who have already heard the gospel think John's baptism is the same as the baptism Jesus talked about. It is not. Superficial similarities, yes. But different substance. Jesus' baptism had to do with the Holy Spirit. John's didn't. How to know this? Baptizer John said so.
We visit with a brother or sister today and remember that in our baptism into Christ, the Holy Spirit joined us to his one body. And, together, we give thanks to God for his eternal salvation united in Christ.
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