John 1:19-27

In the gospel of John, the Baptist says: "I baptize with water; but standing among you - unknown to you - is the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandal."

In all four gospels of the New Testament, Jesus begins his ministry after an encounter with John the Baptist. In this gospel John does not baptize Jesus, as in the other three gospels, but John directs his disciples toward Jesus, after describing him as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (Jn. 1:29) In the fourth gospel John does not say that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit, as he does in the other three gospels. But unlike the other gospels, here John bears witness that he saw: "the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him." (Jn 1:33) In the other three New Testament gospels the author narrating the story says the Spirit descended like a dove upon Jesus.

John was baptizing Jews, who were confessing their sin and repenting. His baptism was a sign of God's forgiveness. Jesus, too, preached repentance and forgiveness, but the New Testament carefully distinguishes these two ministries. Jesus bears the Holy Spirit of God, whereas John baptizes only with water. John's baptism reconciles Jews to God, but the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is proclaimed by the church as bringing God into the lives of all those with faith in a way that offers eternal life.

Grace and peace...Bob