There are several sacraments in the Christian tradition. One of the most important is holy baptism. The prototype of the sacrament was the Old Testament tradition of the same name.
The New Testament scripture tells of Old Testament baptism. This action was performed by the prophet John the Baptist, also called the Baptist.
St. John was the forerunner of Jesus Christ. The prophet prepared the people directly for the acceptance of the Savior, preached repentance and faith in the true God. Christ himself calls John the greatest man of those who were born on Earth.
John the Baptist performed the Old Testament baptism in the Jordan River. This action included confession of sins and testimony of faith in the true God. He who wished to be baptized into the Old Testament entered the Jordan River and confessed his sins. That is why the Old Testament baptism is also called the baptism of repentance. Every faithful Jew tried to be baptized by the prophet John. Among the first Old Testament baptized were John's disciples.
Christ Himself was baptized by John. At the same time, the prophet refused to baptize Christ, asking for baptism from the Savior himself. John understood that Christ did not need to confess his sins (Christ was sinless), and Jesus did not need to confess faith in the true God, that is, in Himself. However, Christ is baptized so that the Jewish people receive the Savior during the latter's public ministry. The Orthodox Church sees in the Old Testament baptism of Christ the fact of washing the sins of all mankind in the Jordan River. Therefore, at present, there is the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is solemnly celebrated on January 19 according to the new style.
The New Testament tells us that many people first received John's Baptism. Only then they were already baptized by the holy apostles in the name of the Holy Trinity, becoming members of the Christian Church.
