The notion baptism in the new testament

   In the new testament there is a further development of the idea of baptism from one of the old testament : the one  of john the baptist and that of Jesus Christ. The new testament baptism begins with john the baptist. As regards the baptism proclaimed by john the baptist, the gospel, particularly the gospel according to Mathew , that john appeared in the wilderness , proclaiming " repent that the kingdom of God is near" (matt 3:2) . The people who heard this message and believed him went to the river in river Jordan to be baptized by him  confessing there sins (matt 3:6) . John baptism is " a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sin" (mark 1:4) for Donal dorr, John implies a new kind  of life, not on ritual purification but on real moral conversion. This account for the reason why his rebuke of some of the pharisees, he made this statement: " Bear fruit worthy of repentance" (matt 3:8 ). There is a call for a strick moral change. Again john baptism emphasizes eschatological dimension, I.e., it anticipates the messianic age . john baptism prepares the people for his imminent coming  of the lord in judgement.


  Lastly, John the baptist himself affirmed that his baptism does not affirm holy spirit as recorded in the bible: " I baptize you with water for repentance , but one who is more power than I is coming after me., he will baptize you with the Joly spirit and fire" . it is believed that the baptism of john is an adoption of the Jewish proselytes' baptism. Louis berkohof says it is not obviously the case.

   The baptism of Jesus  is there a deeper meaning of baptism which goes beyond that of John's. The remarkable event of religious experience that took place on the occasion of Jesus baptism at the Jordan by john in marks account .

   Jesus was revealed at this occasssion of his baptism as the beloved son of God. Unlike john baptism,  the baptism of Jesus is not because of sin but a theophany , I.e.,  Gods self revelation in which the divine sonship of Jesus is identified.


Also there was am outpouring of holy spirit at the baptism of Jesus. This is a significant character of Jesus. It was the spirit that anointed and empowered him for his earthly mission. As Donal dorr says, " The baptism of Jesus is seen as the inauguration  of the kingdom." And it was by the spirit that Jesus  inaugurated the kingdom.  Therefore, from the foregoing, Jesus baptism is a baptism of the spirit. This become a prototype of Christian baptism, I.e the one those who will believe him through the gospel were to receive. And they are too receive the holy spirit just as he did. In view of this, Michael schamus writes , Thus , the baptism of Jesus point beyond itself into the future, which was  to bring the fullness of the spirit And the life as the son of God from the foregoing, Jesus baptism is a baptism of the spirit . this becomes the protype of the Christian baptism, I.e., the one those who will believe him through the Gospel were to receive. And they are to receive the holy spirit just as Jesus did, in view of this Michael samus writes, " this  the baptism of point beyond itself in the future, which was to bring the man of fullfillness of the spirit and the life as the son of God. " by his baptism, Jesus " instituted a ceremony of washing as an image of the new man purified from his sins and hence living in peace with God and his fellow men."
Some theologians said that just as the word became "Jesus" incarnation, so the baptism in Jordan has become "Christ" , I.e Gods anointed one , the messiah.  St basil, believing that Jesus received his anointing at baptism in jordan.

For Athanasius's, " the the decent of the holy spirit in Jordan was for our benefit because he bore our body; and it did not make the word perfect but to make us holy."  Cantalamessa said this anointing is trinitarian in nature since the three person were involved." Raniero cantalamessa asked a question, what is the significance of Jesus baptism in the Jordan? Making references to c.h Dodd and o.culmann, Raniero cantalamessa said it was the moment of baptism that Jesus got the certainty or consciousness of his role as the servant of Yahweh. As it is recorded in isiah 42:1, " here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit..."
  This anointing that Jesus received at baptism accomplished something new in Christ, especially in mission; which he was performing miracles, preaching the Good news with authority, casting out demons and by so doing establishing the reign of the kingdom of God. This is the significance of the baptism of Jesus. Jesus baptism becomes therefore , a prototype of Christian baptism, for a reason that what was accomplished in Jesus by the anointing he received is also accomplished in the every baptized person.
The evangelist john, says Michael schmaus, presents Jesus word with Nicodemus new birth of man by the working of the holy spirit, "connecting the event of new creation to baptism." He says " in johnjesus says with great emphasis: in truth I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God with being born by water and the spirit." The Gospel also presents us with the metaphorical sense of baptism, particularly when Jesus speaks of the baptism of his passion and death which he was about to under go. There are basic elements in this Christian baptism, and one of this element in faith. Faith is required and one of this necessary condition for salvation. And this salvation is received in baptism through faith as recorded in the book of mark: The one who believes and is baptised will be saved ; but the one who does not believe will be condemned (mark 16:16) .