From that time onward, John's baptising ministry was gradually phased out until it ceased altogether, while Jesus, having retained and incorporated it into His ministry, went on to fulfil it. Later He changed and enlarged it in many ways too numerous to mention now. But this He could not fully do until He underwent His own personal baptism into death, for although this was not in the least understood by those who were partakers of John's baptism, it is most certainly implied by it, being as it were just below the surface of the water. It is therefore plainly to be seen that the vast and most important part of Jesus' ministry was not revealed while He was as yet standing on the earth, but awaited His own personally administered baptism into death and consequent resurrection.
During Jesus' earthly life, water baptism was the only one known and practised because the real baptism was not then known, nor could be. It is for this reason He handed over water baptism to His disciples. It was not only policy that He did so, it was necessary also if He did not wish to confuse people. John had said of Jesus, 'He who cometh after me is the Christ, the Son of God, He shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and fire'. Jesus therefore did not allow people any ground to imagine that water baptism, whether practised at that time by Himself or administered by His disciples in His name, was in some mysterious way to be construed or mystically substituted for the greater, real Baptism. Water baptism as such is not Jesus' baptism; (His Baptism cannot be administered by man, nor in that element, but by Himself alone) being administered by water, it can safely be left to men.
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G.W. North (1913 - 2003)
G. W. North was born in London England in 1913. As a young man he became aware that the Lord was calling him into the work of the ministry. At timely stages the Lord placed folk in his path who were able to direct him into the truth of heart purity and a more expansive understanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He held pastorates in Kent and Bradford. By the late 1960s, following a significant period of ministry in Liverpool, he began a more itinerant ministry. This led him to many parts of the world, and occupied him until well into his eighties. His powerful preaching and the unique sense of the Lord's presence, which seemed to brood over his meetings, were always intensely challenging.The true secret of his remarkable ministry stemmed from his personal communion with the Lord Jesus. To him, 'entering the holiest' was not merely a theological concept; it was a distinct spiritual reality - and the central feature of his spiritual life. It was here, in the place of worship, that his revelatory ministry found its source. He preached from understanding and conviction. He was never the echo of another, nor did he take on board the ebb and flow of various contemporary emphases. He was not a man of 'books'; he soaked himself in Scripture and allowed it to saturate his heart and mind. Truly, this is a man who has lifted up a standard for the people. Mr North went to be with the Lord on 29th April 2003, shortly after his ninetieth birthday.