690.约翰所施的洗代表外在人的洁净，但如今基督徒所施的洗则代表内在人的洁净，即重生。故经上说，约翰用水施洗，但主用圣灵与火施洗，因此约翰的洗礼也被称为悔改的洗礼（马太福音3:11；马可福音1:4，5；路加福音3:3，16；约翰福音1:25，26，33；使徒行传1:22；10:37；18:25）。受洗的犹太人仅仅是外在人，若不信靠基督，外在人无法变成内在人。那些受约翰洗的人若接受基督信仰，然后以主耶稣的名受洗，就会变成内在人，这一点可见于使徒行传（19:3－6）。
690. 约翰所施的洗代表外在人的洁净, 但如今基督徒所施的洗则代表内在人的洁净, 即重生。 故经上说, 约翰用水施洗, 但主用圣灵与火施洗, 因此约翰的洗礼也被称为悔改的洗礼 (马太福音3:11;马可福音1:4-5;路加福音3:3, 16;约翰福音1:25-26, 33;使徒行传1:22; 10:37; 18:25)。 受洗的犹太人仅仅是外在人, 若不信靠基督, 外在人无法变成内在人。 那些受约翰洗的人若接受基督信仰, 然后以主耶稣的名受洗, 就会变成内在人, 这一点可见于使徒行传 (19:3-6)。
690. Now, the baptism of John represented a cleansing of the outer self, but the baptism that is practiced among Christians today represents a cleansing of the inner self, that is, our undergoing regeneration. This is why we read that John baptized with water but the Lord baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire; for this reason the baptism of John is called "a baptism of repentance" (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4 and following; Luke 3:3, 16; John 1:25-26, 33; Acts of the Apostles 1:22; 10:37; ; ; ]).
The Jews who were baptized were purely external people; without faith in Christ, external people cannot become internal people. Those who were baptized with the baptism of John became internal people when they accepted faith in Christ and were baptized in the name of Jesus, as we see in Acts of the Apostles 19:3-6.
690. The baptism performed by John represented the cleansing of the external man; but baptism as practised among Christians at the present time represents the cleansing of the internal man, which is his regeneration. That is why we read that John baptised with water, but the Lord baptises with the Holy Spirit and with fire. So too John's baptism is called a baptism of repentance (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4ff; Luke 3:3, 16; John 1:25-26, 33; Acts of the Apostles 1:22; 10:37; 18:25). The Jews who were baptised were nothing but external men, and the external man cannot become internal without faith in Christ. It may be seen in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts of the Apostles 19:3-6) that those who received John's baptism became internal men, when they accepted faith in Christ and were then baptised in the name of Jesus.
690. As to the baptism of John; it represented this cleansing of the external man; while the baptism of Christians at the present day represents the cleansing of the internal man, which is regeneration. It is therefore written that John baptized with water, but that the Lord baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire, and therefore John's baptism is called the baptism of repentance (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4, 5; Luke 3:3, 16; John 1:25, 26, 33; Acts of the Apostles 1:22; 10:37; 18:25). The Jews who were baptized were merely external men, and without faith in Christ the external man cannot become internal. That those who were baptized with the baptism of John, became internal men when they received the faith in Christ, and were then baptized in the name of Jesus, may be seen in Acts (19:3-6).
690. The Baptism of John represented the cleansing of the external man, but Baptism among Christians at the present day represents the cleansing of the internal man, and this is regeneration. It is written, therefore, that John baptized with water, but that the Lord baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire; and for this reason the Baptism of John is called the Baptism of repentance,
Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4 and following verses; Luke 3:3, 16; John 1:25-26, 33; Acts 1:22; 10:37; 18:25.
The Jews who were baptized were merely external man, and the external man cannot become internal without faith in Christ. That those who were baptized with the Baptism of John became internal men when they received faith in Christ, and were then baptized in the name of Jesus, may be seen in the Acts 19:3-6.
690. Quod Baptisma Johannis attinet, repraesentabat illud mundationem Externi hominis, at Baptismus, qui hodie apud Christianos est, repraesentat mundationem Interni hominis, quae est Regeneratio; quare legitur quod Johannes baptizaverit aqua, at quod Dominus baptizet spiritu sancto et igne, et ideo baptisma Johannis vocatur Baptisma poenitentiae, Matthaeus 3:11, Marcus 1:4. seq. Luca 3:3, 16, Johannes 1:25-26, 33, Actis Apostolorum 1:22; 1 Actis Apostolorum 10:37; 18:25. Judaei, qui baptizabantur, erant mere Externi homines, et externus homo absque fide in Christum, non potest fieri internus; quod illi qui baptizati sunt baptismate Johannis facti sint interni homines, dum receperunt fidem in Christum, et tunc baptizati in Nomine Jesu, videatur in Actis Apostolorum 19:3-6.
Footnotes:
1. Prima editio: Actor.