Under the “gospel of the kingdom,” water baptism was a required expression of believing faith.
John’s Baptism
We see in Luke 7:28-30 those that were baptized with the baptism of John, justified God, and those that chose not to be baptized, rejected the counsel of God.
Luke 7:28-30
28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
John’s baptism was a symbolic baptism. God tells us in Hebrews 9:22 that there is no “remission of sins” without the shedding of blood. At this time, Christ’s blood had not yet been shed.
Christ’s Baptism
Jesus Christ’s baptism put Him in position as High Priest of the nation of Israel. We see in Matthew 3:13-15 that Christ’s baptism “fulfilled all righteousness.”
Matthew 3:13-15
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Hebrews 2:17 and Hebrews 5:10 speak of Jesus Christ being the High Priest of the children of Israel and to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Baptism for the Remission of Sins
Those Jews baptized on Pentecost repented for crucifying Jesus Christ and were baptized “for the remission of sins.” Upon their being baptized they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This baptism gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit, added them in the church that Jesus Christ had spoken of in Matthew 16:18 and it put them in a position to be future priests of the nation of Israel.
We see in Acts 3:19 that their sins will be blotted out in the future when Christ returns. This refers to the future earthly Millennial Kingdom.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
A Kingdom of Priests – A Royal Priesthood
God instructed Moses to tell the children of Israel that they will be a kingdom of priests.
Exodus 19:6 “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”
Peter told the Jews that they are a royal priesthood.
I Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
The Priesthood of the Millennial Kingdom
We see in Matthew 24:14 the words of Jesus Christ concerning the gospel of the kingdom being preached throughout the entire world before the end. Please read the remainder of Matthew Chapter 24 where Jesus Christ describes the Tribulation that will occur.
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
After the Tribulation, God will reestablish the priesthood during the Millennial Kingdom. At this time, those of the nation of Israel will be priests who mediate between God and the Gentiles who will be saved during the Tribulation. These Gentiles will be saved by their belief of the gospel of the kingdom which will be preached during the Tribulation. In Revelation 5:10 we see reference to the Millennial Kingdom.
Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
The reference to “kings” in Revelation 5:10 refer to the promise to the church of Thyatira mentioned in Revelation 2:24-26. Those of that church that overcome and keep God’s works until the end will have power and rule over the Gentile nations during the future Millennial Kingdom.
In Conclusion
Jesus Christ was baptized in order to “fulfill all righteousness” as the High Priest of the nation of Israel. On Pentecost, those who were baptized accepted Jesus Christ as both Lord and Christ. Their baptism gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit, added them to the church mentioned in Matthew 16:18 and put them in position to be priests during the future Millennial Kingdom where they will meditate between God and the Gentiles who will be saved during the Tribulation.
Water baptism was only for the gospel of the kingdom.
Water baptism is not a precondition of salvation under the gospel of the grace of God. Our salvation comes from our belief of the gospel of the death, burial and resurrection. Upon our belief of the gospel of the grace of God, we are spiritually baptized into the “body of Christ.”
We are not looking for an earthly kingdom. We have instead been promised a home in heaven, which we will have – if we believe the gospel of the grace of God found in I Corinthians 15:1-4.