The theme of water and baptism in the Gospel of John

Abstract

On reading John's Gospel, we immediately understand that Jesus is being presented by the author to be accepted-in-faith by all those who come into his presence. It is the Gospel where Jesus reveals the mystery of his own being to invite all those who come into his presence to establish a relationship with Him. Jesus constantly shows that he knows all such individuals who encounter Him. Thus the fourth Gospel spells out the theme of faith right from its opening chapters. Faith is intimately associated with the mam divisions of the Gospel itself. In the first eleven chapters Jesus invites his interlocutors to understand and profess their faith in Him. The individual comes to know Jesus as he gradually reveals himself, whereas the interlocutor manifests his faith in Him through the use of high titles. It has been often said that such a method is associated with the catechetical approach of the early Church. The Church reveals gradually Jesus' identity through her constant preaching and catechises. The historical Jesus not only confirms (at least as the writing of the Gospel is concerned) but anticipates the activity of the Church itself. This type of reasoning on the part of the Church, has inevitably led the way towards the reception of baptism. We know from early Church history that catechises preceded the conferment of baptism. Thus, teaching on Jesus leads to one's faith-commitment in Jesus.