John the Baptist’s Baptism
What should we understand as "a baptism of repentance" for the remission of sins? Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3. Is repentance worked by baptism? People came "confessing their sins" and then were baptized. Did John's baptism convey the remission of sins? the gift of the Spirit (in light of Acts 19:1-7) Please expound. Thank you.
Through John the Baptist’s preaching, God changed the hearts of people. Sinners were led to confess their sins and acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah, the Lamb of God (John 1:29). The Baptism John performed sealed God’s forgiveness to people. The Baptism John performed provided the vehicle through which the Holy Spirit could produce and strengthen faith, and also repentance in people’s hearts. The Holy Spirit changes hearts through the gospel in word and sacrament. John’s Baptism was essentially the same as Christian Baptism.
In Acts 19:1-7, the punctuation in our English Bibles has led to some questions over the years. Keep in mind that the biblical writers did not use quotation marks or other grammatical devices that are in our translations.
With that in mind, translations like the NIV bring Paul’s words in verse four to a close before the beginning of verse five. They then have Paul re-baptizing the disciples in Ephesus. If Paul’s words in verse four extend to the end of verse five, then Paul was speaking of John the Baptist baptizing people, and Paul simply laid his hands on the disciples. Some translations and most Lutheran commentators understand Paul’s words and actions in that manner.