There's no biblical proof that John was baptizing by immersion.
Mark 1:5
And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
There's no biblical proof that John was baptizing by immersion.
What is more important is spiritual discernment. John the Baptizer could have simply had a tub of water to sprinkle everyone rather than being at the Jordan river (had sprinkling been the mode).Reading comprehension is even more important. Nothing there says or suggests immersion.
“And it shall come to pass afterward,So much foolishness in this discussion. It is full immersion... One cannot be sprinkled with the Holy Spirit - one is immersed into the Holy Spirit. (Mat. 3:11) As Baptism is equated to death and burial, in the Scriptures - who ever heard of a body being sprinkled or partially immersed into the ground?
The problem here is a simple one... For those that have been sprinkled and not immersed, the question catches them where they live and it takes real Grace and desire to admit they are wrong. I know, I have been down this path.
For those who are looking for a verse to spell it out - black and white, if you will - I don't see how you learn much from the Scriptures. Many a great Truth comes from placing Scripture with Scripture in order to ascertain the true meaning because it is not spelled out in one, single, verse. This is called Study, Prayer and Meditation.
Rather than argue amongst each other, why not try approaching the subject with an ear to learning.
You should consider your own advice.Rather than argue amongst each other, why not try approaching the subject with an ear to learning.
“And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions."
Pouring is definitely a biblical reference to receiving the Holy Spirit.
You should consider your own advice.
It has everything to do with it, you're just stuck with your bias.This is the perfect example of what I was talking about, when you said: Pouring is definitely a biblical reference to receiving the Holy Spirit
I was referring to the nature of the baptism the example you gave is the extent of the Spirit. When the Holy Spirit takes up residence in a believer, He is part of our entire being. He seals us, He instructs us, He aids us and He gives us abilities. That is immersion in the Spirit.
The "pouring" out of the Spirit, is a picture word showing the extent. Perhaps what John Gill had to say might be of assistance to you.
John Gill:
By the Spirit is meant the gifts of the Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of understanding the mysteries of the Gospel, of explaining the Scriptures, and of speaking languages; and by the pouring of it out, is intended the abundance and great plenty of the gifts and graces of the Spirit bestowed; but yet not all of him, or all his gifts and grace in the large extent of them: therefore it is said, not "my Spirit", but "of my Spirit", or "out of it"; as out of an unfathomable, immeasurable, and inexhaustible fountain and fulness:
So as you can see, This has nothing to do with the issue of Baptism. But I think you knew that already.
Given and not received.I am all ears.... give me some substance.