water baptism?When started?

[beleive]

John the baptise was (I think) first bible talks about water baptism.But when did water baptism start?Was it done before john the baptise?Did the pharisees water baptise.Thanks for any info???

[Galoutofdixie]

http://jesus-messiah.com/html/mikveh.html

[graceforme]

Actually, water baptism did not start with John the Baptist. It began way back in the Old Testament as a ceremonial cleansing for the Priests. And there are different types of baptism referred to in Scripture.

The true meaning of the term baptism is simply an Anglicized form of the Greek word baptizo. Unfortunately, for too long denominations have defined baptizo as "to dip". The error of this definition of term is easily seen in Scripture:

In Matt. 3:11 John the Baptist said Christ would "baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire." Was He to "dip" people in the Holy Spirit and fire? In Luke 12:50 Christ called His death a baptism. Was he "dipped" into death? In 1 Cor. 12:13 we find "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." Are believers "dipped" into one body? The answer to all these questions is NO. It is an inappropriate definition.

From this error in definition of term the whole idea of baptism as a "burial" with Christ in water has evolved. But the fact is that Christ as not buried in water.

In general, Scriptural use of the term "baptism" indicated complete identification with an element, a group, or a person. This is why Paul said in Romans 6:3 "As many of us as were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death." In other words, the only way to become one with Christ is to be identified with Him in His death by faith.

Never in Scripture does water baptism refer to burial, but always to a cleansing. To understand the reason for this we have to understand the place of water baptism in the program of God for the nation of Israel.

The Mosaic economy was still in effect during the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. They came to minister to the Jewish nation. In Hebrews 9:17 we learn that "A testament is of force AFTER men are dead, otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth." This means that the new covenant could not possibly replace the old covenant until AFTER the death of Jesus Christ.

John's baptism was nothing new - and the people he ministered to clearly understood it's meaning - that it was a ceremonial cleansing for priesthood, and that priesthood pertained to the kingdom promised to the nation of Israel.

God intended purpose for the nation of Israel was that they would be "a kingdom of priests and an holy nation," through whom the Gentile nations will draw nigh to God". (Isaiah 61:6)

A study of Exodus 29 shows the preparation of Aaron's sons for the priesthood. Just as they were the priests through whom the people of Israel could approach God, so the nation of Israel itself will one day be "a kingdom of priests and an holy nation" through whom the Gentiles will draw near to God". (Gen. 12:1-3; 22:17,18; Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8: 20-23). It is in this light that John the Baptist comes along, preaching his "baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel" (Acts 13:24).

In other words, John's "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (Mark 1:4) was a means of national repentance and preparation to be the kingdom of priests that God ordained the nation of Israel to be. A study of Matthew 3:1-12 shows that John's baptism was the means of fleeing from the "wrath to come". And no doubt is left as to what this "wrath to come" involved. Israel was given a choice - there was a judgment coming and if they wanted
to be the "wheat" that is safely carried into the barn and not the "chaff" that is to burn with the fire of judgment they must be identified as the believing remnant through the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Just as in Numbers 31:21-24, if they wanted to escape the fire they must "go through the water." They would be "purified with the water of separation" and identified together as the believing remnant in Israel - set apart as "an holy nation." Water baptism is clearly a ceremonial cleansing that pertained to the kingdom promised to the nation of Israel.

The fact that water baptism pertains to Israel's kingdom program shows that is has no place in the program of this dispensation of grace. It was a ceremonial washing participated in UNTIL the nation of Israel and its program were set aside by God. (The nation of Israel diminished in the book of Acts).

With the fall of Israel God raised up the apostle Paul and through him sent "salvation to the Gentiles." Following the raising up of Paul, and as Paul was given more information through divine revelation from Christ Himself, the practice of water baptism went through a change. In 1 Corinthians 1:14-17 we find Paul making the statement that he was thankful he had not baptized any others but Crispus and Gaius and the household of Stephannas - for CHRIST SENT ME NOT TO BAPTIZE, but to preach the gospel....."

Paul couldn't have said this if he had been working under the same commission as the other disciples. They preached to the Jewish nation, Paul to the Gentiles. When God interrupted Israel's prophetic program and ushered in "the mystery", He interrupted Israel's baptism. As Israel diminished (Romans 11:12) through the later Acts period, water baptism gradually diminished in importance and a new baptism emerged to take its place.

In this dispensation of grace, there is no priestly nation or class exalted above others. God is now reconciling both Jews and Gentiles to Himself in one body simply through faith in the finished work of Christ on the Cross. When we accept and trust Christ as our Savior, at that moment "by one Spirit we are baptized into one body" (1 Cor. 12:13) and thus "baptized into Christ" (Galatians 3:27). There is no room need for a water ceremony here. No human rite or ceremony can place the believer "into Christ." The "one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5) of the "one body" is performed by "one Spirit" - not by a preacher or priest. In Colossians 2:10 we find that we are "complete in him. And in Ephesians 1:3 we find "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath BLESSED US WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST."

What could we possibly do to add to what has been accomplished by the finished work of Christ on the Cross? If we think about this and study it out completely, we'll come to realize that not only does water baptism have no place in God's dispensation of grace, but it also attempts to "add to" what Christ has already completed on behalf of the believer. (Colossians 2:20)

Thank God that we are are baptized into one body by one Spirit. We shouldn't try to add to that "one baptism" which unites and identifies us with Christ and makes up complete in Him.

Water Baptism by Richard Jordan

Many blessing to all.

[graceforme]

Great site, galoutofdixie. I'm printing it out for later study.
Thank you.

[SusieQ]

Great site, galoutofdixie. I'm printing it out for later study.
Thank you.

Although I think the site is interestiing in that it gives historical info about cleansings, I don't agree with the bolded part of this statement from that site: "All water baptism of the New Testament have their beginning in these ancient Mikveh cleansing, purification washings of the Jews. Water baptism was essential to becoming Jewish in olden times and it is essential to becoming a Christian in the New Testament. Any doctrine on baptism that does not include the Jewish foundation of these Mikveh washings is incomplete and usually false. "

We are in the dispensation of grace. We are baptised by the holy spirit. Don't want this to turn into another thread of whether or not christians should be baptised so back to the topic at hand....Graceforme, the info you posted was good!

[gregbed]

From this error in definition of term the whole idea of baptism as a "burial" with Christ in water has evolved. But the fact is that Christ as not buried in water.


Never in Scripture does water baptism refer to burial, but always to a cleansing.


Rom. 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. NASB

Col 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
NASB

[Jadiri]

well Im glad the word of god is always truth no matter who agrees or disagrees :)

The artical say nothing about needing to be baptized to be saved at all !!
it says, it is essential to becoming a Christian , and this is True Frist we confess then we are baptized ( saved Then baptized) no one in the gospel anywhere Believed and confessed that was not baptized even after christ death..

its not something nessary so much to be saved, it is part of becomeing christian more act of obedence a dieing to self burying of the old riseing up of the new.. as well serves as a public confession of your faith beilf and salvation..

I hear people talking about grace and dispensation of grace and other such things Lets be mind full that no one is under dipensation of grace till after they are saved till after they become christian also no one is baptized in the holy spirit untill this point as well..

let us keep in mind not all who say they are saved are christian and not all who call them selves christian are saved ..

it is not part of being saved it part of being christian , part of Obedance , confession of christ in your life, a dieing to self, allowing christ to live through you ...

They are all steps in our faith that leading us home :)

[SusieQ]

The article is talking about the necessity of water baptism. The baptism from Acts 2:28. This is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The writer of this article states that this type of baptism is essential. It also states that if you aren't following this type of water baptism then you are following a false doctrine. This is not true. Water baptism is not essential for christians (although it is a nice outward statement of our faith).

From the article:"All water baptism of the New Testament have their beginning in these ancient Mikveh cleansing, purification washings of the Jews. Water baptism was essential to becoming Jewish in olden times and it is essential to becoming a Christian in the New Testament. Any doctrine on baptism that does not include the Jewish foundation of these Mikveh washings is incomplete and usually false.

If you have not come to Jesus by the waters of separation in New Testament Mikveh according to the grace of God found through faith in Acts 2:38, now is the TIME. Do it today. If there is no one to bring you into the no condemnation holiness of Jesus and you want to live for God in true holiness and separation from the world, then call me. I will make plans to see that you are immersed according to the correct manner of faith (1-813-238-SAVE)."

[graceforme]

If my life doesn't show that I am a Christian, then water baptism certainly won't prove it either. Just a thought. No Scripture supports the idea that baptism is an outward sign of an inward work. It was used as a ceremonial cleansing, it wasn't a "show" for anyone. It was a requirement of God for the priest's cleansing.

God Bless.

[Jadiri]

that it is celtic:)

Grace for me if you are born again its not your life you gave your life to christ is his will you do ..