John's Baptism

1.     John the Baptist - the Divine Commission
2.     John the Baptist - prophesied in Old Testament
3.     Righteousness fulfilled
4.    Jesus' Inauguration into the Priesthood
5.    Jesus our High Priest, Now!
6.    Jesus' earthly ministry began at John's Baptism
7.    The way of God more perfectly
8.    Jesus declared to be the Son of God
9.    Another reason for Jesus' Baptism
10.  Jesus and John's Baptism
11.  Water Baptism and Sanctification
12.  Water Baptism and Sanctification (Pt. 2)
13.  Washing of the water
14.  Baptism a Greek word for Jewish purification
15.  Limited first commission
16.  Confession

The earthly ministry/priesthood of our Lord began at John's Baptism

At John's Baptism the man Jesus was:

• Consecrated (Legal Age of 30 according to Law - could minister in Temple)
• Cleansed (purification of the body according to Law - John the Baptist was a Levite)
• Anointed with the Holy Spirit under Law (God's ownership to begin the 3 1/2 year earthly ministry preaching the Kingdom as the Messiah) Acts 10:38

After John's Baptism Jesus entered into the earthly priesthood which was appointed by God - to be after the order of Melchizedek. Psalm 110: , Hebrews 7: , Melchizedek had an earthly priesthood and was King of Salem. In similitude Jesus had an earthly priesthood and was King of Jerusalem. During His earthly priesthood Jesus performed:

• Earthly service for the nation of Israel - meeting needs
• Earthly ministry for the nation of Israel - Preaching Kingdom
• Human ministry in obedience to Law for the people
• Ministered 27 times in the Temple
• Ministered in synagogues
• Ministered in the open air
• Duties as a priests who were responsible for teaching the Jewish people the law of God
• Duties as a priest to offer divine sacrifice unto God (the crucifixion)

Josephus  a Jewish historian stated about John's Baptism: and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness

God spoke audibly when the man Jesus was baptized of John. God spoke out loud about Christ after He received the waters of purification, "This is my beloved son  in whom I am well pleased". Matthew 3: Jesus was inaugurated into the priesthood, anointed with God's ownership, and sent out to present the Kingdom Message to Israel. This earthly priesthood and ministry lasted 3 1/2 years until the Kingdom Message was rejected and Jesus went to the cross at Calvary.
 

A vast number of Old Testament prophecies unfolded and were confirmed at John's Baptism. Only more evidence of Bible Truth that makes the substance and meaning of God's Word so real and alive. This kind of truth is a faith builder. Faith is the heart of our Salvation by Grace. Faith is fortified by truth and evidence.

Another reason for Jesus' baptism...a Jewish perspective

The anointing of the Spirit took place at John's Baptism when the Spirit descended on Christ like a dove..at the age of thirty

Acts 10:38...That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:

John's baptism was the inauguration of Christ into the earthly priesthood

Psalm 110:4...The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (earthly)

God spoke audibly...at the beginning and ending of Christ's earthly ministry...3 1/2 years - anointing represented God's ownership and announcement of the Kingdom Message presented to backslidden Israel

John's baptism was prophesied to prepare the way of Christ...Malachi 3, Isaiah 40

Christ had to obey Levitical Law to be without spot or blemish...

Psalm 1 (perfect lamb without spot of blemish)

Christ was born with the Spirit

Christ had the Spirit without measure  his whole life on earth

Christ was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil

Christ was anointed with the Spirit at John's Baptism and beginning of His earthly ministry

After Israel rejected the promised King...Christ had the eternal Spirit when He gave himself at Calvary

Righteousness fulfilled

Mat 3:15-17…And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased

Righteousness was fulfilled this day of John's Baptism of Christ. The Law was honored. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and inaugurated into the Priesthood. An earthly Priesthood began...ministering truth to deceived Israel.

The glorious day of John's Baptism brought true moral righteousness to Israel. Jesus was 30 years old and had to be 30 years of age according to the holiness of the Law. This was necessary before Christ could minister in the Temple. Anointing (that signified God's ownership) allowed the Anointed One to minister true Torah....to backslidden Israel. Anointed One simply means, "Messiah" in Hebrew. Jesus fulfilled all righteousness required according to God's Law given to Israel. John baptized Jesus with water and the earthly ministry of Christ began. The promised Kingdom on Earth was presented to Israel for three years.

The perfect and sinless Christ was God's Promise for backslidden Israel to hear and convert. The King of Israel had come preaching the Kingdom was at hand. John's Baptism made Christ eligible to preach a righteousness that would exceed the righteousness of the Pharisee's and the Sanhedrin. The stage was set according to the perfect will of God. Thy King had come...as promised. The Anointed one spoken of by the Prophets was now ministering in the Temple and Synagogues, rebuking traditions of men, purging out old leaven, and establishing true righteousness in Israel. The promised Messiah had come preaching the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand!

John's Baptism of Christ was an inauguration to become an Earthly Priest ordained by God to minister to the needs of backslidden Israel. Righteousness was fulfilled and the ascension of the Holy Spirit like a dove proved such publicly. The Anointed One had come. The Son of God began His earthly ministry in obedience to Mosaic Law with perfect obedience to keep the Law.  The perfect and sinless Christ was God's Promise for backslidden Israel to hear and convert to true righteousness. The Anointed One came bringing such truth. The inauguration into the Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek had begun with John's Baptism. The Earthly Kingdom of Heaven was presented as righteousness was fulfilled.

Jesus at the age of 30 – Anointed with the Holy Spirit – Inaugurated into the Priesthood

Many things happened during John’s baptism - all have great merit. For instance; Jesus was baptized by John when He turned 30 years old, Luke 3:23. Reason? Mosaic Law required all ministers in the Temple to be thirty years of age according to Numbers 4:30.

In comparison to the order of Melchizedek, Hebrews 7…Neither Christ nor Melchizedek had natural bloodline or prior human descent. Both men were Eternally existent and descended to humanity according to the will of God.

As a man Jesus was brought into humanity by the Spirit of God and taken from among men to become a minister for the people. All High Priests are taken from among men and ordained for men pertaining to the things of God, Hebrews 5:1.

The Bible teaches Melchizedek was also Eternal and descended to humanity to become a High Priest for the needs of man.  Melchizedek existed before Abraham and the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus who was first Eternal descended into humanity. Jesus when compared to Melchizedek thus became a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, Hebrews 5:1, Psalm 110:4. Christ did not glorify Himself to become a High Priest, nor was he elected by man. The Priesthood of Christ after the order of Melchizedek was ordained by an oath from God, Hebrew 8:21.

The Priesthood of Melchizedek was God ordained and later would birth the Levitical Priesthood. The Levitical Priesthood was the order of things that kept Israel holy and thus birthed the Promised Messiah. John’s baptism under Levitical order was simply Christ’s inauguration into the Earthly Priesthood according to the Law of Moses. Christ’s heavenly Priesthood (who suffered once for the sins of humanity) was according to Grace which came after the Law of Moses and after the Levitical Priesthood had ended. John the Baptist was the last Levite Priest recorded in the Bible.

Christ was baptized of John to be made known unto Israel as “the anointed one” or the “Messiah” spoken of by the Prophets, John 1:31. The Greek word Christ translated from Hebrew text means “anointed one”. John’s baptism of Christ at the age of 30 years old, made Christ eligible to minister the truth about God’s Promised Kingdom in the Jewish Temple.

When Christ’s ministry began He ministered in the public, in the Temple, and in Jewish synagogues. John’s baptism allowed the Holy Spirit to anoint Christ and begin His public ministry at 30 years of age. John’s baptism of Christ became the inauguration of Christ’s Earthly Priesthood. All High Priests are called from men and anointed for God’s Divine Purpose.

Anointing signifies God’s ownership and consecrates men and Priests as vessels of honor and servant-hood to God. Christ became a High Priest after being ”anointed by God’s Holy Spirit” according to Scripture. Acts 10:37-38 tells us that God anointed Christ with the Holy Ghost and with power. When that event took place at John’s Baptism of Christ the Holy Ghost descended on Christ like a dove, Matthew 3:16.

All Righteousness was fulfilled as Christ was obedient to the Law of Moses and thus baptized by John the Baptist at the age of 30. After John baptized Christ, Christ’s public ministry began. In Luke 4:17-20 Christ declared how the Holy Spirit anointed Him to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. This anointing Christ spoke of was a fulfillment of Prophecy first given in Isaiah 61:1 and thus fulfilled by Christ in person , Luke 4:17-20. Psalm 2:2 teaches us that Christ was “God’s Anointed”. Many people today (including Jews) fail to realize this great truth about Christ’s anointing from God’s Holy Spirit, and His inauguration into the Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.

In Matthew 3:15…Christ stated, ”Suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness”. John’s Baptism allowed Christ who was without sin to obey the Law of God according to the letter, Numbers 4:30. Righteousness was fulfilled when Christ kept the Law and obeyed John’s Baptism. God’s ministry of presenting the promised King and Kingdom to Israel had begun. John the Baptist had prepared the way before Christ and came to Christ according to God’s timing. Backslidden Israel was thus able to receive John’s Baptism which made them eligible repent from a backslidden state of not keeping the Torah, receive remission for their sins, and worship Christ as the Promised Messiah and King of the Earth. John and His baptism prepared the way for the Messiah, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1-3. The Messiah, the Christ, and the Anointed One were the central objects of this ministry. Christ admitted to the Elders that He was the Christ, the Son of the most blessed, Mark 14:61-62. God (the Father) audibly spoke from Heaven and declared that Christ was His Son saying, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased”. God audibly made this declaration from Heaven twice in the four Gospels: Once at the beginning of Christ’s Earthly ministry at John’s Baptism; and once at the end of Christ’s Earthly ministry on the Mount of Transfiguration when Christ told the disciples He must suffer and die. Christ’s Kingdom ministry and first commission to the lost sheep of Israel lasted only 3 years. Christ died at 33 years of age.

At the end of three years…Christ’s ministry of the Kingdom Message presented to Israel ceased. In Matthew 16:21 Christ began telling how He must suffer, be killed of the Elders, and thus go to the cross to die and raise from the grave on the third day. The Priesthood of Christ would no longer be an Earthly Priesthood after the death of Christ. The heavenly Priesthood would begin in body resurrection and Christ’s ascension and exaltation to Heaven. Christ would become a Heavenly High Priest where He resides today in the Holy of Holies in Heaven, Hebrews 9: 11, 24. John’s baptism was only an inauguration for Christ to enter the Priesthood. John’s Baptism allowed Christ to be anointed by the Spirit of God as prophesied in Old Testament records. John witnessed and stated that the Holy Ghost descended on Christ like a dove, John 1:33. This anointing from the Holy Ghost allowed Christ to become a baptizer or purifier according to God’s Will, John 1:33. This anointing from the Holy Spirit enabled Christ to be introduced into the Priesthood . This anointing upon Christ (who was actually from birth filled with the Spirit without measure and led of the Spirit into a temptation by the Devil) allowed Christ to operate as an Earthly High Priest like Melchizedek; to become a Prophet according to Duet. 18:18; and to be an Apostle or one sent by God, Hebrews 3:1. Christ operated in all these earthly offices between the ages of 30 and 33…until His Earthly ministry ceased and His Heavenly Priesthood began. In His Heavenly Priesthood today…Christ is the baptizer with the Holy Ghost as John said Christ would be, Matthew 3:11,12.

Much happened according to the Law of Moses when Jesus became 30 years old. It all began with John’s Baptism of Christ at the age of 30. Truth about the Inauguration of Christ into the priesthood was confirmed. Prophecies were fulfilled. The Anointed One promised by the Prophets had come in the flesh to Israel. The Messiah and His inauguration into the Priesthood took place! Jesus the Christ, and Son of the most high God was anointed by God’s Holy Spirit! Many witnessed such event! Glory! As King, Christ offered His Kingdom to Israel and was thus rejected! As Savior Christ suffered, died and rose from the grave. As High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, Christ is alive today in the heavenlies appearing in the presence God for “us”, Hebrews 9:11-28.

Commentary on Water Baptism...Hubert T. Lindsey...(4 CD's)

This commentary by Hubert T. Lindsey on the subject of Water Baptism is the most thorough and exhaustive commentary you will ever find in our modern religious Age. It's contents are condensed from (4) audio recordings collected over a period of 70 years and placed onto (4) separate audio players that are now published on the Internet for edification of the body of Christ. Each audio player contains a wealth of Biblical knowledge in each one hour setting... but the overall study (4 hours) on Water Baptism is not complete unless you review all four one hour audio segments.

The foundation of Water Baptism comes from the laws of purification taught in the the Old Testament records. Having been tutored by a Jewish Rabbi for 15 years Brother Lindsey is able to unfold and explain with clarity the many reasons why so many denominations go separate directions on the how, when, and why Water Baptism in our modern Age. Brother Lindsey uses the Greek Text of the Bible to define the many various modes of Water Baptism. Distinction will be made between the Spirit's Baptism into Christ, The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and Fire in sanctification, and various modes of water Baptism performed by men, like sprinkling, pouring, immersion, for remission of sins, public confession, infant baptism for removal of Original Sin, etc.

Enjoy your study that is easily available for in length and in depth review. Take all the time you want to study this teaching. May the Spirit of God minister truth and confirmation to your heart and soul about the Blessing of God's Grace and Bible truth about Water Baptism. Thanks for stopping by the Churches on Trial Blog. It is a blog dedicated to Brother Hubert Lindsey and his life as a servant and minister for Christ.

Water Baptism (1)
Water Baptism (2)
Water Baptism (3)
Water Baptism (4)

John the Baptist...and his Divine Commission to Israel

John the Baptist was "foretold in the Old Testament Prophets" by Malachi and Isaiah. John was foreknown by the determinate council of God. The birth of John was spoken of by an angel of the Lord.

Luke 1:13-15...But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

When John appeared and began his ministry in Israel Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled. John the Baptists' ministry prepared Israel for the coming Messiah. How" His baptism allowed them to repent from a backslidden state and worship Christ as the promised Messiah. John's service within Israel was confirmed in the records of the Four Gospels.

God spoke through Malachi the Prophet saying that He would send His messenger before the Lord. The messenger that came before Christ was John the Baptist.

Mal 3:1...Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in:

John declared he was a prophetic voice for God that cried in the wilderness.

Matt 3:1-3...In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand". For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

John the Baptist was God's forerunner to the Messiahship of Christ. John's Baptism was God's way for Israel (who had gotten away from the moral requirements of the Torah) to accept and worship Christ as Israel's promised Messiah. This was prophesied by Isaiah the Prophet.

Isa 40:3...The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

John the Baptist was sent by God

John 1:6...There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

John was sent by God to carry out the Divine commission of water baptism in Israel. John's commision as a Levite Priest allowed backslidden Israel to be purified with waters of purification which in turn allowed backslidden Israel repentance, remission of sins, and eligibility to worship Christ as the Promised Messiah.

John 1:33...And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost

The reason; John's baptism separated and purified Israel from the tradition of the Elders that tainted Israel from keeping the Torah.

Matt 15:2-3...Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

John's baptism specifically pointed to Christ as the Messiah. John's service as a Baptizer (sprinkling waters of purification according to Numbers 8) came from the Law of God..the Torah.

Num 8:7...And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them,

John the Baptist prepared Israel for the Messiahship of Christ. John's service as a Baptizer also baptized Christ to carry out His earthly ministry according to the Law of God.

Within John's Divine commission he was also sent by God to preach the Kingdom of Heaven message in Israel.

Matt 3:1-2...In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The Kingdom of Heaven was the promised restoration to Israel where Christ would reign as King from His earthly Throne in Jerusalem.

Jer 23:5...Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Zech 8:3-8...Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

John the Baptist had a legal right according to Law to sprinkle waters of purification because he was a Levite by bloodline and birth. Christ called John the Baptist a reed shaking in the wind.

Matt 11:7... And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

A reed (hyssop) was an instrument used by a Jewish minister to sprinkle waters of purification and/or blood for the use of ceremonial cleansing under the Law of Moses. Hebrews 9:19

John was the son of Zacharias who was a Levite. John's bloodline was of Levitical descent. According to the Torah firstborn sons of Levites were set aside by God to minister to the congregation of Israel. Levites were thus chosen by God to do a Divine service for the children of Israel.

Deut 18:6-7...And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose; Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the LORD.

John's baptism was a Divine commission given from the council of God

John 1:33... And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me,

John's baptism superseded traditional washings and the customs of Pharisee's and Elders that made the commandment of God of none effect. Because of the attitude of these unbelieving Pharisee's they rejected the council of God (The Torah).

Luke 7:30...But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

The Sanhedrin and synagogues were also products of the tradition of the Elders which stemmed from Talmudic teachings. Talmudic teachings (which would take a lifetime for any scholar to understand) were derived from Israel's interpretation of the Torah. The Talmudic writings originated while Israel was in captivity during the Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Babylonian captivities.

John the Baptist was recognized by his disciples as a Rabbi, which means teacher of the Law.

John 3:26...And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

Christ called John the Baptist...more than a Prophet.

Matt 11:9-10...But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee

John's preaching allowed all of Israel and Judea to repent and accept the Messiahship of Christ. Mark 1:4, 5 John's baptism separated many in Israel from the tradition of the Elders that deviated Israel from the moral standard of the Law. Tradition and customs blinded the eyes of Israel from the purity and holiness of the Torah. John's ministry opened blind eyes and showed Israel a way to receive the coming of Christ. When Israel received the baptism of John they were able to accept and worship Christ as the promised Messiah.

John's baptism was commissioned by the Council of God. John's baptism set apart those in Israel who received the waters of purification, acknowledged the Law, and recognized the coming of the Messiah. John's Baptism was received in Israel as an act of faith by those who accepted the Messiahship of Christ.

John's baptism was moral purification from the uncleanness of tradition and Israel's interpretation of Law...to cleanness according to the moral requirements of the Torah.

Repentance and confessions of sin were wrought in people throughout Israel because of John's Baptism.

Mark 1:4-5...John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

John's preaching and his baptism enlightened Israel enough to turn them from the tradition of the Elders and mans interpretation of the Law through the Talmud. The Word of God came unto John in the wilderness.

Luke 3:2...the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness

This Word was according to the authority of Law, not the tradition of the Elders or man's interpretation of the Law through Talmudic teaching's.

John baptized Christ according to Law. The Law required Christ first to be thirty years old; second to be sprinkled with waters of purification before he could minister in the Temple, do service for the Lord, and teach the Torah.

Num 4:3...From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Num 4:30...From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Christ had to obey the Torah in every detail in order to be without sin. Christ could not disobey the Law of God in any respect. Why? To be a perfect sacrificial offering for the sins of humanity Christ had to be in perfect obedience to the Law of God. If Christ didn't keep the Law to the letter, he would have sinned against God! Christ was the only man that ever lived that was without sin.

Ps 1:1-2...Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

John's baptism allowed Christ to do the work of the ministry and preach the Kingdom message to Israel, according to Law. That's why Jesus said, "Suffer it to be so, now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness".

Matt 3:15...And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.

John's baptism of Christ fulfilled all righteousness through the requirements of Divine Law.

Questions arose between John's disciples and the Jews concerning John's Baptism and waters of purification.

John 3:25...Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

Why questions about purification? Israel's interpretation of Law through tradition and Talmudic teachings had led them into religious rituals, diver's washings, and various Jewish customs that were not taught in the Torah. From the Babylonian captivity Israel had deviated from the Law of the Torah. By not keeping the moral demands of the Law Israel was blinded and rejected the truth about Christ. John's baptism made Israel accountable to Divine Law thus turning them toward acceptance of Christ as the promised Messiah. John's Baptism had Divine purpose to sway Israel to an acceptance of the Messiahship of Christ. Many in Israel acknowledged the authority of John's baptism as a fulfillment of prophecy. Many in Israel knew John the Baptist was a Levite and had a legal right to minister waters of purification. Many in Israel knew John was a Prophet sent by God to prepare the way of Israel's promised Messiah.

John's baptism confirmed the truth of the Word written and spoken by the Prophets. John's baptism made Israel accountable to Law of God. Accountability to the Law of God enabled the common Jewish people to repent, to confess their sins, and prepare the way for Israel to accept Christ as the Messiah. Remember Isreal was backslidden from the Law of God! The Law of God required even more from the Pharisees and the Lawyer's who had pledges and ties to the Levitical order of Judaism. That's why John first warned the Pharisee's and Lawyer's of the Wrath to come and second told them to bring forth fruits meet for repentance. If John's Baptism was something "new" to the Pharisee's and Lawyer's, God would not have held them accountable for their lack of knowledge. The Scriptures teach the Pharisee's rejected the council of God in John's baptism. John's baptism through the Council of God was "not something new" to the Pharisee's and Lawyer's. It was according to Law!

Luke 7:30...But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

That's the reason why John treated the High Priests, Pharisee's, and Sadducee's whom he called Vipers different than the common Jewish people. He strongly admonished these leaders of the Jews, "Who hath warned you to flee the Wrath to come". Unlike the common people He told these Elders in Israel to bring forth fruit meet for repentance.

Matt 3:7..But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Luke 3:2-7...Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness; And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come

All the land of Judea and Jerusalem went out to be baptized of John.

Mark 1:5...And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

"All of Israel" recognized that John was a Prophet sent from God. That's why the Pharisee's were nervous when Christ asked them if John's Baptism was from Heaven or men. The Pharisee's refused to admit that John's Baptism was Heaven sent. On the other hand they were afraid the people would want to stone them if they admitted that John was truly a prophet sent by God.

Luke 20:4-8...The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

John's Divine commission to preach and baptize was to "all of Israel and the land of Judea". John the Baptist was the last record in the Bible of a Levite priest. There are no records found in the Bible that John ever baptized a Gentile.