BaptismBaptism

When did baptism begin?

What is the origin, background, and history of baptism?

Why was Jesus baptized?

How do we answer those who object to baptism?

Here is the Plan for this StudyThis study will be divided into 7 parts

1. Old Testament background for baptism

2. New Testament1. Word study – meaning of baptism

2. Travel through the NT passages

3. What baptism IS / DOES

4. Romans 6:3-5 study

5. Conversions in Acts

6. Common Objections to baptism

7. Why was Jesus baptized?

Part 1 – Old Testament

•It may surprise you to know that the background of baptism starts in Genesis 1.•Genesis 1:10Genesis 1:10 - And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the gathering together of the waterswaters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.•Hebrew word – mikveh – The “gathering of waters” represented the ceremonial washings, cleansings and purifications under the Law of Moses.

Part 1 – Old Testament•3 Areas of Washing / Immersion

– Gentile converting to Judaism– Woman after monthly cycle– Pots made by a non-Jew

•Descending order of mikveh– Highest was – spring, flowing river; called – living waterliving water– John 4:10-11 - 10Jesus answered and said to her, “If you

knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?

Part 1 – Old Testament6 Restrictions in Jewish Tradition6 Restrictions in Jewish Tradition

1. No other liquid added – ONLY water2. Must be in the ground or attached to a building on

the ground3. Not flowing – except a natural stream or river4. Not manually drawn – water must flow into the

pool5. Not channeled by anything unclean6. At least 40 sa’ah = 200 gallons

1. Sa’ah = 5 gallons2. Human body takes space of 20 sa’ah3. Immersion requires double that

Part 1 – Old Testament•NOTENOTE: All the words for the above six restrictions are found in Leviticus 11:36•“Nevertheless a spring or a cistern, in which there is plenty of water, shall be clean, but whatever touches any such carcass becomes unclean.”•Why Immerse?Why Immerse?

– To the Jew – mikveh – washing, purification, cleansing

– Purpose – not to be defiled, cleansed from sin

Part 1 – Old TestamentAll Commands of the Law came in 3 areas:

1. Moral or Ethical

2. Ritual, ceremony, worship

3. Separate from world

Deuteronomy 4:6Deuteronomy 4:6 - Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

Part 1 – Old Testament

How was immersion done?How was immersion done?•Preparation

– Cut nails, hair neat

•Undress – nothing touching you•Profess faith to the “father of your faith”

– Origin of having a “godfather”

•Self-immersion– Waist deep in water– Squat down and bend over (face first)– Baptizer – not touch you, just make sure you are all under

Part 1 – Old Testament•An early drawing of John the Baptizer shows him standing back and watching a self-immersion•Matthew 3:16Matthew 3:16 - When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.•Repentance was required before baptism.

Part 1 – Old Testament

6 Parts to Immersion6 Parts to Immersion

1. Exhortation – explain the reason, purpose

2. Self-immersion1. 3 times

2. Not trinity related

3. “mikveh” is used 3 times in the OT for baptism

4. Leviticus 15:16b - then he shall wash all his body in water, and be unclean until evening.

Part 1 – Old Testament

6 Parts to Immersion6 Parts to Immersion

3. Required a witness1. Father to whom confession is made

2. Origin of “in the name of”

3. Origin of baptism as a time to name or change names

4. Not touched by the baptized

5. Water was compared to the womb1. They were called a new person

2. This was often referred to as a new birth, born again

6. 3 Witnesses were required – independent, not related to the convert

Part 1 – Old Testament

Repentance was requiredRepentance was required•Repent includes a decision to stop the sin•Any sin can be forgiven•Water and Blood = Cleansing

– BloodBlood – Passover, Atonement, feast offerings, Levitical offerings, priest’s ministry

– WaterWater – Red Heifer, priest’s ministry, leper cleansing, washings in the law, remission of sins

– 1 John 5:6 - This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.