John:—That is correct. You will find it so recorded in John's Gospel. (John 1: 6.)
The World:—What did God command you to preach to the people?
John:—Repentance and water baptism.
The World:—You say that God sent you to baptize with water?
John:—He did. It is recorded in the scriptures: "And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost." (John 1: 33.)
The World:—What did you tell the people was the object of water baptism?
John:—I told them that it was for the remission of sins. Mark and Luke bear me witness. The former says: "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remissions of sins." (Mark 1: 4.) Luke says: "And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." (Luke 3: 3.)
The World:—After what manner did you baptize?
John:—As I was commanded by the Lord—by immersion. I took the repentant believers down to the river Jordan, and there I baptized them by immersing them in the water.
The World:—Then you do not believe in infant sprinkling?