The Boundless Bible 45: Baptism: *Spoiler Alert* John The Baptiser Didn’t Invent It
Water can be ordinary until it isn’t—until it becomes a line in the sand between who we were and who we’re becoming. We open up the deep story of baptism, starting with the Jewish mikveh and its call to living, running water, then trace how John the Baptizer reframed a familiar ritual toward repentance and readiness for the Messiah. Along the way, we share our own baptism moments—quiet, communal, and transformative—and ask the question everyone eventually asks: does baptism save?
We wrestle with scripture that clarifies salvation by belief while elevating baptism as an act of obedience and public witness. Romans 6 paints the picture of dying and rising with Christ; Mark 16 stresses belief; the thief on the cross reminds us grace isn’t blocked by lack of water. From there, we turn to Jesus’ baptism in Matthew—where the Spirit descends, the Father speaks, and “beloved” echoes David and Isaiah. We also explore the powerful symmetry of water at the end of his ministry, when blood and water flow from his side, signaling covenant and cleansing issuing from his heart.
The wilderness threads through this conversation too. John baptized there for a reason: it’s the place of testing, honesty, and change. Many of us come to the water from our own wilderness—tired of self-salvation, ready for surrender. We talk modes and meaning, whether re-baptism can be a faithful step, and how community turns a private conviction into a durable commitment. If you’re discerning your next step or simply want a richer grasp of baptism’s roots and resonance, this one will ground your faith and stir your courage.
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