Jesus: A Final Note on Baptism of the Spirit

Later in the same week of the dream of being initiated by John the Baptist [see Baptism of the Spirit, above], I was in Old Ellicott City, MD, where I came across a used bookstore called Grampa’s Attic. There I found a book by Charles Guignebert entitled Jesus [University Press Books, NY. 1956]. Guignebert was a professor of the History of Christianity at the Sorbonne.

Now let’s look at what Professor Guignebert has to say about John 3:23 and what baptism might have been in those ancient days:

John 3:23 informs us that it was at ‘Aenon near Salim’ that John baptized, because he found plenty of water there, but according to Eusebius this locality was situated far to the north in the valley of the Jordan, almost as high as Scythopolis (Beisan), that is, on the borders of Galilee. Certainly there is nothing to prevent the Baptist from having gone as far up as that, but when it is observed that Aenon means ‘springs’ and Salim means ‘peace’, it rather suggests that the writer took the Forerunner [John] to ‘the springs of peace’ for purely symbolical reasons. [p. 153]

Clearly, I have very good reason to believe that John did indeed baptize at Aenon near Salim.

Now, about the Johannine baptismal rite itself, Guignebert has this to say:

His baptismal rite is a matter of great uncertainty. We do not even know how he administered it, nor what part he, personally, took in the ceremony. Whether the penitent himself plunged into the water, after having announced his metanoia [change of heart, ie: conversion], whether John pronounced any invocation over the baptized, are questions to which we can give no reply. [p. 154]

My sense is that my baptismal experience in the vision is, in fact, the reply.

And now here is the coup de grace. From the First Epistle of John 3:23 we read:

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he commanded us.

Please now consider the dream of baptism by John, and the verses cited above, as you read the following words of Jesus:

But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom my father will send in my name will teach you everything, and remind you of everything which I tell you. Peace I leave with you; my own peace I give you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:26 - 27

And who but the Comforter could have inspired this dream and taught me its scriptural significance?