Was baptism commanded in the Old Testament at the time of John the Baptist?

Question: Was baptism commanded in the Old Covenant at the time of John the Baptist? I thought baptism was not commanded in the Old Testament for salvation. I have always heard that baptism was not commanded in the Old Testament. Am I missing something here? Mark 1:4 mentions John’s baptism of repentance for the remission…

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Was John’s baptism able to save people?

Question: Good morning sir, I have been reading about the baptism of John and how he came to make a way for Jesus to come to be accepted, but I am confused about whether his baptism was able to save people before Jesus’ baptism in Acts 2:38. If someone baptized by John died before Jesus’…

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Why is John the Baptist the last prophet in the Bible?

Question: Why is John the Baptist the last prophet in the Bible? (Luke 16:16) Answer: “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it” (Luke 16:16). “From the days of John the Baptist until…

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What was the history of baptism prior to John?

Question: Hello! I don’t know where to look for the history of the baptism of John. I have the understanding that baptism was done since the Babylonian captivity for the conversion to the Jewish faith (a proselyte, but I don’t know where to find any documentation to confirm or deny it. I just don’t know…

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Why didn’t John the Baptist get killed with the rest of the children?

Question: Why didn’t John the Baptist die, as is stated in Matthew 2:16, but lived to adulthood, baptized Jesus, and was ultimately beheaded, or is Matthew 2:16 simply wrong? Answer: When the wise men came, Herod found out where the Messiah was to be born. “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and…

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Was John the Baptist associated with the Baptist church?

Question: I love your site. It is very helpful and is the truth. Why was John called “John the Baptist?” I know there is no other religion mentioned in the Bible. Is this where the Baptist organization get its name? Is John the Baptist the same as John the apostle? Answer: Actually, the truth is…

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How was John the Baptist Elijah?

Question: Hi! I am wondering if you can please help me understand what the Bible is saying about John the Baptist when it refers to him coming in the spirit of Elijah? In Luke 1:17, it says John the Baptist will come in the “spirit and power of Elijah.” In Matthew 11:14 Jesus says John…

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Why did John doubt?

Question: In Matthew 3:13-17, John the Baptist meets Jesus and is resistant to baptizing him because he “seemed” to know that he was the Messiah and he thought that Jesus should baptize him instead.  Did John see the clouds open up and hear God’s voice?  Later, in Matthew 11:2-6, when he was in prison he…

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Of what tribes were Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, and his parents?

Question: Of what tribe was Mary from? Joseph was of the tribe of Judah, I think, but was Mary also of this tribe? And was there intermarriage between the tribes of Israel? Was John the Baptist a Levite? Was he actually considered to be a priest, or solely a prophet? It says that his mother…

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What was the purpose of John’s baptism?

Question: As part of our mid-week bible study, we have been discussing John the Baptist and how he prepared the way for Christ. I understand John’s mission and the importance of baptism, but was it also used to prepare the people for the conversion (burial) into Christ? What was the significance of baptism by John…

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Had Cornelius heard John’s teaching and, perhaps, was baptized by John?

Question: Would you please help me to understand why, in Acts 10:37, KJV, Peter says, “That word, I say, ye know.” It sounds as if Peter is aware that Cornelius, and maybe some of the others, had already heard the word, and been baptized with John’s baptism. Although they were the first Gentiles to receive…

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