Chapter 8 The Baptism of John
p. 148
The use of water as a representation of spiritual cleansing was already familiar to Israel. Dipping in water, as an emblematical washing, was commanded in the law for the priesthood (cf. Exodus 30:20-21; 40:12). Also, Gentile proselytes who were immersed in water into the Jewish faith were considered to be a little child new born (cf. John 3:3; 10). However, John’s baptism was neither an Old Testament washing nor proselyte immersion. John’s baptism was not an immersion into the Jewish faith; rather it was an immersion for the Jews to prepare themselves to receive the Messiah and His kingdom. Likewise, John’s baptism was not New Testament Christian baptism which was commissioned after the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38). For this sake, those who had once been baptized unto John’s baptism, once the New Testament church had been established (Acts 2:1f) had to be re-baptized “in the name of Jesus.”
p. 148
The use of water as a representation of spiritual cleansing was already familiar to Israel. Dipping in water, as an emblematical washing, was commanded in the law for the priesthood (cf. Exodus 30:20-21; 40:12). Also, Gentile proselytes who were immersed in water into the Jewish faith were considered to be a little child new born (cf. John 3:3; 10). However, John’s baptism was neither an Old Testament washing nor proselyte immersion. John’s baptism was not an immersion into the Jewish faith; rather it was an immersion for the Jews to prepare themselves to receive the Messiah and His kingdom. Likewise, John’s baptism was not New Testament Christian baptism which was commissioned after the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38). For this sake, those who had once been baptized unto John’s baptism, once the New Testament church had been established (Acts 2:1f) had to be re-baptized “in the name of Jesus.”
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