Baptism: what did it mean before the gospels? July 7, 2020 by Lydia Ask Pete Baptism: what did it mean before the gospels?16 months agoLydiaopenAttachmentJohn the Baptist was baptizing people before Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection. Was this a pre-existing ritual, or was John the first? And what was the significance behind it to Jews in that time (or earlier)?