Did Jesus Baptize His followers?
The Bible does not mention that Jesus baptized people. The apostle John tells us, “Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples)” (John 4:1-2). The Scriptures do not give the reason why Jesus Himself did not baptize people.
One explanation for that could be that Jesus avoided creating in the minds of people the concept that those who got baptized by Him inherited more merit than others, and thus would have more authority in the church after His ascension. Jesus knew that people tend to raise divisions among them and set some people as idols. There was a divisive problem in the church of Corinthians when some said we follow Paul and others said we follow Apollos (1 Corinthians 3:4). Jesus probably tried to erase any occasion that could lead to a division.
This doesn’t cancel the possibility that Jesus could have baptized some for when Jesus asked John the Baptist to baptize Him, John didn’t exclude the probability of Jesus conducting this service and he answered saying, “I need to be baptized by you” (Matthew 3:14). Realizing that Jesus’ baptism had a deeper meaning John said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11). John understood his baptism to be only preparatory to the work of Christ and that he was merely the “messenger” sent “before” the “face” of the Lord (Mark 1:2).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
