Changes

A preliminary understanding of baptism starts with St. John the Forerunner, the cousin of Jesus. John spoke of a baptism of repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. :"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." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Luke%203:3-6;&version=9; Luke 3:3-6 KJV], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%203:1-6;&version=9; Matthew 3:1-6], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=mark%201:1-5;&version=9; Mark 1:1-5])

:"John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Luke%203:16-17;&version=9; Luke 3:16-17 KJV], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%203:7-12;&version=9; Matthew 3:7-12], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Mark%201:6-8;&version=9; Mark 1:6-8])

During :"And John's earthly ministry Jesus came bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to receive baptism from 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. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=John%201:32-34;&version=9; John1:32-34 KJV], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%203:13-17;&version=9; Matthew 3:13-17], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Mark%201:9-11;&version=9; Mark 1:9-11])

"And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 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. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=John%201:32-34;&version=9; John 1:32-34 KJV], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%203:13-17;&version=9; Matthew 3:13-17], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Mark%201:9-11;&version=9; Mark 1:9-11] There also seems to be some reference to Jesus and/or his disciples baptizing individuals, before His death on the cross (see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=John%203:22-26;&version=9; John 3:22-26 KJV], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=John%204:1-3;&version=9; John 4:1-3]).

:"...All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%2028:18-20;&version=9; Matthew 28:18-20], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Mark%2016:14-20;&version=9; Mark 16:14-20], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Acts%202:38;&version=9; Acts 2:38])