“We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost” ([Acts xix, 2]).
This was many years after the death of Jesus. Either this colloquy is false, or the story of John the Baptist is false. If John was the forerunner of Christ, as claimed, his disciples became followers of Christ; and if they became followers of Christ they were acquainted with the doctrine of the Holy Ghost—if it existed at this time.
459
When did Jesus’ disciples begin to baptize?
Matthew and Mark: Not until after his resurrection ([Matt. xxviii, 18, 19]; [Mark xvi, 15, 16]).
John: At the beginning of his ministry. “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized” ([iii, 22]). “The Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John. (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples.)” ([iv, 1, 2]).
460
What form of baptism is Jesus said to have prescribed for the use of his apostles?