Why did John the Baptist baptize?

John’s baptism was rooted in the traditions of his time. It was not a sacrament like the baptism Jesus institutes but a ritual of conversion, mirroring contemporary practices of the Essenes (a first-century Jewish sect) and other Jewish purification baths. For John, baptism was a call to turn from sin and prepare for the imminent arrival of the Messiah. He proclaimed, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I... He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11).
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[@Nunwannabe1234]

Beautiful reflections, Father Patrick, love you and am praying for you and your brothers daily ❤

[@debbiegraham5585]

Thank you, Fr. Patrick