John was baptizing in the wilderness, and preaching the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins.
I indeed baptize you with water to repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:
And were baptized by him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
And there went out to him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
To give knowledge of salvation to his people, by the remission of their sins,
And John also was baptizing in Enon, near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.