The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum My first question?

xyz said:


He recognized that Jesus was a person who had no need for repentance. He testified that he did not know who Jesus was until the sign given at the baptism.



The text does not say so, but even if it was necessary then, it does not mean that it would always be so. There is no general command for water baptism anywhere in Scripture.

That is not in Scripture. Scripture says that, to be saved, one must believe and witness to one's belief with one's mouth. That witness can be at water baptism, but witness must be a continuing fruit of the Spirit until death or Christ's return.

In view of the fact that water baptism became to great extent the next circumcision, a work vainly put towards justification, the saints may decide to omit this now empty ritual. John's riposte to the Pharisees and Sadducees lost no relevance for other pretenders in the post-apostolic period and beyond.


Water baptism is nowhere entailed under Mosaic Law. Had it been, John would not have turned away, not just Jesus, but teachers of the Law!