He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Luke 3:3.
And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance.” Acts 19:3, 4.
John was sent by the Lord to perform this work, but it was human in its nature. For it conveyed nothing heavenly. Rather, it was a forerunner of heavenly things. It was ordained for repentance, which is in man’s power. . . . But if repentance is a human thing, its baptism must necessarily be of the same nature. Otherwise, if it had been heavenly, it would have given both the Holy Spirit and the remission of sins. Tertullian (c. 198, W), 3.674.
His disciples used to baptize, as ministers, with the selfsame “baptism of John,” with which John had previously baptized as a forerunner. Let no one think it was with some other baptism, for no other baptism exists—except that which Christ subsequently ordained. Tertullian (c. 198, W), 3.674.
He desired that the baptism of repentance would lead the way. He did this with the view of first preparing those whom He was calling, by means of the sign and seal of repentance. Tertullian (c. 203, W), 3.658.
The Pharisees . . . came to the baptism without believing in him. They probably did so because they feared the crowds. So with their accustomed hypocrisy towards the crowds, they thought it better to undergo the washing—so as not to appear hostile to those who did believe in it. Their belief was actually that John derived his baptism from men and not from heaven. However, because of the crowds, they were afraid to say what they thought, lest they might be stoned. Origen (c. 228, E), 9.365.
The baptism of John was inferior to the baptism of Jesus, which was given through His disciples. Those persons in the Acts who were baptized with John’s baptism and who had not heard if there was any Holy Spirit were baptized over again by the apostle. Regeneration did not take place with John. However, with Jesus, through His disciples, it does so. What is called the bath of regeneration takes place with renewal of the Spirit. For the Spirit now comes, as well. It comes from God and is over and above the water. Yet, it does not come to all after the water. Origen (c. 228, E), 9.367.
John the Baptist baptized for the remission of sins. Origen (c. 248, E), 4.416; extended discussion: 3.673–3.674.