The Bible talks about two sacraments--baptism and communion. While communion was clearly instituted by Jesus with him saying "Do this in remembrance of me," baptism just kind of appears on the scene with the gospels telling us (as we read today) that John was doing it. So where does it come from?
Ritual washing was part of the Mosaic law. And Ezekiel 36:25 prophesies, "I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean." But the clearest hint of the origin of baptism is snuck into John 1:33 where John the Baptist says of Jesus after his baptism, "I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me . . . " God had revealed to John his ministry, including the sacrament of baptism.
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