With all respect, there is no such thing as a "Biblical" notion of baptism. Does a book called "The Bible" dictate here or does God and Christ?
With regards baptism what is called by men - Christianity - has baptism completely wrong and has been "throughly" misled in this regard.
Question: When one thinks of baptism, what does one think about? Baptism in water.
Baptism in water was in the manner of John the Baptizer. He baptized his disciples in water. John the Baptizer knew that at the coming of Christ, his ministry and baptism would diminish and end. That is why John the Baptizer could say at Matthew 3:11:
"I, for my part, baptize YOU with water because of YOUR repentance; but the one coming after me is stronger than I am, whose sandals I am not fit to take off. That one will baptize YOU people with holy spirit and with fire."
Thus, their would be a greater baptism and it would not be with water.
The manner of baptism that the WTBTS and indeed all of what is called "Christianity" follows is the manner of John the Baptizer, not that of Christ.
Christ's baptism of his disciples would not be with water, but with holy spirit and fire.
We do not see a single case of Jesus baptizing any of his followers in water. Neither do we see any of his disciples baptizing others - as disciples of Christ - with water. The Ethiopian Eunuch was not a baptism to discipleship as Christs disciple, but as a proselyte into the Jewish religious system as he was reading out of the book of Isaiah and wanted to know about it. He was not interested in Jesus' teachings. So that Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized in the manner of John the Baptizer, not in the manner of Christ.
The question arises: "Did not Jesus get baptized in water?"
Yes, he did but for what purpose? As a public witness to all that baptism in water (in the manner of John the Baptizer) ends. His baptism with water would be the last performed and John the Baptizers disciple-making work now ends. And that his baptism with holy spirit and fire would begin hence forward.
That is why when Jesus came up out of the water, we see God's holy spirit come upon him.
While we do not see Christs disciples being baptized in water, we do see them beng baptized with holy spirit. This is seen at Acts Chapter Two on the Day of Pentecost where his apostles where received this baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Sadly, this baptism in the manner of Christ is rarely spoken of and does not get the prominence that water baptism does. One should ask why?
If John the Baptizers ministry would end and make way for Christs ministry, logically John's Baptism would end and a new baptism - a greater one - would be instituted.
Another question arises: "What about what Jesus said at Matthew 28:19-20 concerning baptism?"
Notice in that Scripture there is no mention of baptism in water. But baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit. Not in the name of John the Baptizer.
Was this not what happened at Jesus baptism? It was a baptism of God's Holy Spirit upon the Son.
Discipleship to Christ (teaching others what he taught) will increase ones faith and knowledge in God and Christ and then there will be a baptism of Holy Spirit.
Christs Apostles did not receive this baptism until long AFTER Christ ascended. Then it was poured out over them. Only those who have received such a baptism in Holy Spirit has the authority to give it to others. THINK ABOUT THE FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISHES people!
There is something greater there that many have not seen.
Christs baptism in Holy Spirit is given from on disciple (who has received it) two a new convert to discipleship to Christ.
IT IS NOT A RITUAL!
R. Jerome Harris
e-Prophetic.com