After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison).

John 3:22-24

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). John 3:22-24

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 3:22-24 using the Sword Bible Study Method, providing both a main point and an outline of sub-points for the text.   

Main point: Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, vs how John baptized with water.  

1. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit - a new and different way of baptizing vs that of Jesus. 
2. John baptizes with water.  

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: After Jesus' nighttime conversation with Nicodemus - likely taking place in Jerusalem - Jesus goes with the disciples and baptizes people in the Judean countryside - and we learn from John 1:33 that while John baptizes with water, Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit - something new and different vs that of John and also implying a better baptism - one with new benefits not bestowed by John via his baptism. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: John continues to baptize, even after Jesus does and we see that John is no longer baptizing people in the wilderness but now on the west side of Jordan in Aenon near Salim. The reason for this location is stated in the text as because of plentiful water - key for John's baptism vs that of Jesus who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.  It is also noted that John is not yet imprisoned; however, we know from Luke 3:18-20 that Herod does arrest John for reproving Herod's marriage to Herodias - Herod's brother's wife.         
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Believers should pursue baptism just as Jesus did as an expression of publicly expressing faith in Him, and as being known as a follower of Jesus, others can see Him in us.  

Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a topic worthy of additional study and this article helps.   

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My Prayer: Thank You Jesus for my faith and baptism and I am proud of my faith and I seek to share it as John did.  Yet I know I often fall down in this regard.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.