John’s Baptism versus Jesus’ Baptism in/with the Holy Spirit 5-19-25

In continuing with the three baptisms- new birth, water, speaking in tongues, let’s get the true understanding of what these three mean.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”

 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.  I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit’ [new birth]. And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God (John 1:29-34).

John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.  

And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.  I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [new birth].”(Mark 1:4- 8). This proves the Trinity is working harmoniously. The Triune God (Three in One) does not function independent of the other.

 For there are Three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these Three are One.  And there are Three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these Three agree as One. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. (1 John 1:7-9)

This is what makes sense to me- When John baptized Jesus in the Jordan river (water baptism), the Spirit lit upon Him like a dove; this represents the Holy Spirit empowering Jesus for His ministry, which is similar to the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the people in the upper room and they received power from on high to witness and minister (Acts 2:2-4).

The blood meant that Jesus had to shed His precious blood for the redemption (salvation) of mankind. The Three bear witness …. And the Three are One (1 John 5:7-8). Also, there is a principle that, out of the mouth of two or three witnesses letting every word be established (Deuteronomy 19:15). By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established (2 Corinthians 13:1).

Please remember that Jesus humbled Himself- who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,  coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:6-8). God elevated Jesus because He was obedient to death, the death of the cross.

Jesus’ ministry (Setting the Captives free) included the wholeness of mankind. Whatever way He ministered, He wanted people to be healed and delivered through His miraculous acts, to be delivered from the old mindset, and to be spiritually whole. In essence Jesus came to heal and  deliver the spirit soul and body.

His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org