Yes. Those who entered the waters of baptism with true repentance and faith experienced the benefits of the coming Messiah. The word “remission” is the Greek word, aphesis, which we have already learned means “sending away, release, forgiveness.” This remission was in contrast to the mere covering of sin available under the law. It was based upon the blood of Jesus Christ, for God was looking ahead to the completed redemption. 

John was pointing toward the Lamb of God. 

Under the law, sin was remitted through the shedding of blood. The blood of animals such as bulls, goats, and lambs provided a covering over of sin for a time. But these sacrifices had to be repeated again and again. Each new offense required a sacrifice. But Jesus came to offer himself, the perfect Lamb, once for all. He was the Sacrifice to end all sacrifices. John’s message and baptism pointed toward Christ and focused their expectation upon His work as the Lamb of God.  

… John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1: 29).  

 Continued benefit from John’s baptism required continuance into Jesus’ kingdom. 

John’s ministry was transitional. Its purpose was to break up the strength of religious tradition and to make people ready to hear a fresh message from God. John was never an end in himself. He knew this. He was always working to direct people beyond himself to the one coming after him. He was always comparing himself as nothing in the light of the one to whom he gave witness. But even so some people failed to make the transition. When Jesus came, they were still wrapped up in John. Even after John’s death we read of his followers and how they had lost what little light they had because they did not walk in it.  

And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptized, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him…. He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3: 26-28, 30).  

 

He [Paul] said unto them. Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them. Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said. Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus (Acts 19: 2-4).  

 

Notice how this movement lost its central message because of their failure to recognize God’s change of leadership. John had emphasized both faith in the coming Messiah and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. All that remained with John’s misguided followers years later was the outward form of John’s water baptism. Its meaning was gone.