John's Baptism, What For?
One prolific cause of confusion in the religious world is the failure to distinguish between the baptism of John the Baptist and that authorized by Christ in the Great Commission. The two were by no means identical. Misunderstanding on this point makes for unlimited chaos in any effort toward clear comprehension of Bible teaching.
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed upon the cross, reached back into the old covenant to remove and forgive the sins of which the Jews had been guilty. This is the meaning of the statement in Hebrews that Christ died "for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant." (Hebrews 9:15) Thus, if a Jew under that old covenant had faithfully offered his sacrifices, and had kept the law, he was entitled to the remission of sins and complete pardon, once the blood of Christ had been shed on the cross. Apart from those of the Christian age, the Jews were not made perfect; their sins were not forgiven. Under the offering of animal sacrifices a remembrance was made year by year of their sins and shortcomings. It was only the blood of Christ, reaching backward, which could remove their guilt.
John baptized with the baptism of "repentance unto the remission of sins." The Jews who received his baptism renewed in their hearts the hope of remission of sins when Christ should come. They did not immediately receive that remission, any more than the Jews immediately received forgiveness by the offering of animal sacrifices. But the offering of animal sacrifices made provision for a rolling forward of sins until such time as they could be forgiven. And the preaching of John and his baptism looked forward also to the cross and the final removal of sin and guilt. The Jew who repented at John's preaching, and was baptized, having obeyed God, was in a state of preparation; he was entitled to look forward to the remission of his sins when the blood of God's Son was shed. It amounted to the renewing of the promise that the blood of Jesus Christ would take away their sins through their faithful obedience to the will of God.
But what about the Jews who rejected John's baptism? Not all the people obeyed. Some did reject. I know that the record says that "Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about the Jordan" were baptized; but that is a relative statement. In relation to the entire population of the land, great numbers obeyed. And those who were baptized "justified God, being baptized by John." But there were others who "rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized." (Luke 7:30-31) To reject the baptism of John was to reject the counsel of God. To reject the counsel of God was to bring upon oneself certain condemnation. The Jew who refused to be baptized of John condemned himself. Hence, the baptism of John was a very vital and essential thing, so far as the Jews were concerned.
Distinctions
There are some people who are constantly confusing the baptism of John with the baptism commanded by Christ under the Great Commission. They find it difficult to keep John's baptism where it belongs. The cross of Christ is the dividing line. John's baptism was before the cross; the baptism of the Great Commission is after the cross. Jesus commanded this baptism to be preached to ALL nations; John preached only to the Jews. Furthermore, John's baptism did not require faith in Christ. It was not necessary that one submitting to John's baptism be a believer in the Son of God. Indeed, the identity of Christ had not yet been made known; the Jews could not believe on Him until they knew who He was. John said, "for this cause came I to baptize in water"; that Christ might be made manifest unto Israel. For he that sent John to baptize said unto him that "Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit. And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." (John 1:33,34) When Christ was baptized, God acknowledged Him from heaven with the declaration, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Before Christ was baptized, the Jews did not know his identity; they were not aware that He was God's Son. John's baptism was practically ended when Christ came to be baptized, "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened." Thus it was toward the close of his ministry that John baptized Jesus. And the Jews could not possibly have believed in Christ as God's Son at the time John had baptized them.
In contrast to that, it is impossible for one to be baptized today without faith in Christ as God's Son. That's the reason why, when the Ethiopian eunuch asked an inspired preacher what hindered him to be baptized, Philip answered, "If thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." (Acts 8:37)
This is the reason that it is impossible to baptize a baby. It makes no difference how they go about it, by sprinkling, pouring, or even immersion, there is no Bible baptism for infants. Faith in Christ is a pre-requisite to the baptism Christ commanded. It was not so with John's baptism. There are other distinctions, but this one is vital and fundamental.