I would like to share my opinion about this topic, particularly about baptism. But before that, I have to say that my mother tongue is not English so I’m sorry if I commit mistakes or if I’m not able to explain my ideas properly.
You do very well. And you have a very impressive knowledge of the scriptures!
Well, John’s Baptism is not the same that Jesus’ one. The reason can be found here:
I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Mathew 3:11)
It’s clear that Jesus is more powerful than John, and for that reason Jesus’ baptism is with Spirit and fire and John’s one is with only water.
You are correct. Jesus Christ had a higher priesthood than John the Baptist. Jesus had the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec:
“If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?” (Heb. 7:11)
Baptism by water (John’s baptism) is not compete without recieving the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands:
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be
born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3-5) (emphisis added)
One could say that this is an interpretation (very reasonable) but the confirmation (or evidence) it’s here:
- 1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked,
“Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied.*
4 Paul said,
“John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all. (Acts 19:1-7)
Paul was able to confer the Holy Ghost (which he did by the laying on of hands), because apostles were ordained with the higher priesthood by Jesus Christ: When Jesus called his apostles He said to them: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you.” (John 15:16)
A similar incident shows that baptism by water had to be followed by recieving the Holy Ghost by someone with the higher authority. Peter and John traveled from Jerusalem to Samaria (about 50 miles),so that recently baptized members could receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands:
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost; (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 8: 14-17)