I've often wondered about the following passage. Jesus consented to be baptised, saying it was to fulfil all righteousness. My understanding of the word, fulfil is to achieve something prophesied or promised, it's an end outcome. So if this fulfilled the use of symbolic water baptism and Jesus was then going to baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire, then how come nothing changed with baptism?
I would think that baptism with the Holy Spirit is to receive and accept the word of G.d and the fire is the love of G.d, so it seems to me that Christians should not be continuing the symbolic practice of John and instead be baptised by Jesus with the understanding of the Word of G.d and by love for G.d. Something clearly was meant to change and yet nothing changed. Any insights on this?
“I baptize you with[b]water for repentance.But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c]the Holy Spiritand fire.12
