“Whose Baptism Is It?”

“Whose Baptism Is It?”(Lk.3:21-23a).
Truth is often brought to us through fun. On a certain church public occasion we were admiring the cross worn by a colleague. A layman who was with us said jokingly that before admiring a cross we should first ask, “Whose cross is it?” He said some crosses may be those of the thieves who were crucified with Jesus.
Truth be told, there are different kinds of crosses, some of which belong to esoteric fraternities. Beware!
Today we read from Luke that “after all the people had been baptized, Jesus was also baptized.” We already explained why Jesus came for baptism. Today we may raise the question, “Whose baptism or which baptism?”
We take you to Luke’s second book for the answer. At Ephesus when Paul asked some disciples if they had received the Holy Spirit, they replied, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. When Paul asked what kind of baptism they had received, they answered, “The baptism of John.” Paul then explained to them, “The baptism of John was for those who turned from their sins; and he told the people of Israel to believe in the one who was coming after him – that is, in Jesus.” So saying, the people were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. “Paul placed his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came upon them…”(Acts19:1-6).
On the other hand, the baptism we advocate today is following after the instruction of Jesus contained in the Great Commission, “… Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…”(Mt. 28:18-20).
However, there are some people who insist on the baptism of John on the argument that Jesus himself received that same baptism; meanwhile others insists on the baptism in the name of Jesus and not that of the Trinitarian formula contained in the Great Commision.
When Jesus was baptized the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove and the Father spoke. So to say, the Trinity was here involved.
John had emphasised that the one coming after him was to baptize with the Holy Spirit. The presence of Christ nullified the baptism of John which was a baptism to prepare the people to receive Jesus the Christ.
Again, Jesus’ baptism was to prepare him for his own ministry. Nevertheless, what is important to accompany baptism is to preach and make disciples in Jesus’ name and teaching them to obey his commands. Obedience to God’s command is key.
Perhaps it is not accidental that Luke in the pericope of our text mentions that “When Jesus began his work, he was about thirty years old.” Maturity helps us to understand our faith and helps to sustain us in the faith, thus improving on our horizontal and vertical relationships with God and fellow humans..
Prayer: May the anointing of the Holy Spirit fall on us anew and sustain us to mature in the faith and have a closer walk with Christ. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.