Baptism of Repentance

Baptism of Repentance

What is Baptism & Why does it exist?

In terms of a general understanding and a quick google search, baptism is defined as the Christian religious rite of sprinkling water on to a person's forehead or of immersing them in water, symbolizing purification or regeneration and admission to the Christian Church. In many denominations, baptism is performed on young children and is accompanied by name-giving.

Today we will be studying the bible in relation to the first step, in the process of acknowledging you are a child of God and being reconciled to Him. Baptism of repentance.

To repent is defined as-to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin. It can also be defined as “to change one’s mind.”

For the purpose of this discussion and clarification, we will explore a short synopsis in the origins of water being displayed as a purifying medium, through which the Levitical Priesthood and Israelites were cleansed and deemed clean under God’s ordinances. We will then move forward to the emergence of the John the Baptist and Jesus, continuing in this doctrine, and expanding our comprehension of God’s purpose in this display.

In closing we will compile how these examples and further discussion contained within the scriptures supports the doctrine of baptism as a unified, cohesive, and required first step to reconciliation.

Ok, so let’s get started.

God teaches what is holy.

Scriptures

Exodus 30:20-21 [Water Cleansing Ordination]

Exodus 40:30-31 [Water Cleansing Ordination]

Leviticus Chapter 15 [Unclean & Water Cleansing – Hygienic]

Leviticus 16:1-4 [God of order, Ordained]

Leviticus 9 to10:1-2 [In the beginning, Disorder and Disfunction]

Leviticus 17:15-16 [Ceremonially unclean]

Leviticus 10:6-10 [Obedience and Compliance]

So, in our reading of the scriptures there are two main factors that stick out to me.

Initially the concept relayed by God to the Levitical Priesthood that washing is required before entering places or spaces that were considered holy, we see God establishing an ordinance of holiness.

Secondly the concept of the common, in comparison to the holy.

This is specifically highlighted in Leviticus 10:10-11 where God establishes a distinction between what is to be considered holy and common.

Prior to the establishment of such practices there could be no cohesive plan of operating, or unified approach to operations surrounding the priesthood.

We can clearly see this in the death of, two of Aaron’s sons, during an early offering to God. In the process of presenting an offering to God, the two sons have deviated from the process and offered what was deemed as unauthorized by God. This led to their deaths and delivered an undeniable understanding. That God, His Holiness, and His commands are for our protection and should be followed exactly as they were afforded.

Where there is no understanding of who God is through His commands, there will be confusion. Where confusion leads to a contravention of God’s commands there will be consequences.

In reading the above scriptures we can extract that God was teaching Israel to understand the concept of clean and unclean. Alongside the knowledge of what is holy or common. Signifying that prior to entering or attaining holiness, all things and people must first be consecrated. The use of water as a cleansing medium was a part of the process for people.

This process is echoed in the text through the prophet Isaiah [Isaiah 1:16] when he talks about the vision he had of Israel as a rebellious nation, and Israel is advised to “wash and make yourselves clean.”

John prepared the way; Jesus is the example.

Scriptures

Matthew 3:1-6 [Voice in the Wilderness]

Matthew 3:13-15 Mark 1:9 [Jesus Baptism]

Isaiah 40:3 [Voice in the Wilderness]

Malachi 4:5-6 [Prophecy of John]

Luke 1:14-17 [Prophecy of John]

Luke 3:2-3,7-8,10-16 [John Prepares the way]

Luke 7:24-30 [Jesus speaks about John]

John 3:5 [Born again through baptism]

John 3:23-30 [John speaks about Jesus] & [Ceremonial washing]

Mark 7:1-9,14-15 [Jesus cleans up Ceremonial washing]

Continuing our discussion, we find ourselves reviewing the scriptures above. In these scriptures the story of John the Baptist and Jesus is revealed.

John the Baptist, being a man on his own, and living outside the status quo was used by God to prepare the way for the doctrine of repentance. This doctrine builds on the underlying concept that, in the same manner of preparation for service in holiness, we must first be washed or made clean. (God teaching us through symbolic acts. John 3:10-12) True repentance comes from the cleansing virtue of Christ, and that starts with baptism.

Baptism of repentance is a changing of the mindset. Turning away from sin and turning towards righteousness Romans 12:2. It is this internal change that governs, the external Mark 7:14.

This changing or turning of a person’s mindset is not accomplished through the actual washing in the water but rather in this symbolic act, for lack of a better term, it gives us a cutoff date from sin reigning in our life.

This doesn’t mean you will be perfect or have been perfected from that date but rather it affirms that you have entered the process to be reconciled with God.

John understood this, and after receiving the word from God, he began to teach the people Luke 3:2.

John understood his mission and was faithful to see it through. John states he found happiness in just seeing the arrival of Jesus. John initially and rightfully was hesitant to baptize Jesus. It was only after Jesus assured him it was for the fulfillment of all righteousness Matthew 3:15, that John then baptizes Jesus.

Jesus being righteous by His own nature, was never required to be baptized unto repentance. So, in being baptized Jesus set the standard for everyone coming through this process, there is no exemptions.

God delivered in John a man that was strong and fierce enough to turn the people’s hearts toward repentance, stable enough to prepare for the doctrine of baptism, and humble enough to get out of the way when his job was finished.

John’s character was best described by Jesus when he stated, what did you go out to see Luke 7:24-26. Jesus was attesting to John’s strong character and reiterated it through multiple examples. Yet even while reflecting on the strength of John’s character, Jesus reminds us that the kingdom of God is greater.

Jesus reminds us that baptism prepares the way for true repentance and reconciliation God.

This is evident in Luke 7:29-30, affirmed in Matthew 3:11 and confirmed by Jesus in John 3:5. Baptism is the beginning of the process for reconciliation with God.

This concept of ceremonially cleansing yourself via water, initially derived and described to humanity via the Old Testament, was subsequently perfected and implemented widespread through the New Testament.

Baptism as a practice.

Scriptures

Acts 2:37-39 [Peter Acknowledges Baptism]

Acts 8:26-39 [Philip performs Baptism on Ethiopian Eunuch]

Acts 9:15-19 [Saul is Baptized]

Acts 10:46-48 [Peter baptizes the Gentiles]

Romans 5:20-6:4 [Baptism as a practice]

In closing, I will keep this short and to the point. The scriptures above show that as a practice, within biblical doctrine, baptisms were performed as a full immersion of the person being brought under the water then back up.

This practice was performed numerous times, by different believers, under a unified standard.

This practice was performed to symbolize our unity in Jesus’s sacrifice, and our bonding to His Ministry. This practice was performed only after the person received the knowledge of Christ and the revelation of repentance.

This practice was known, necessary, and understood fully by the early Church, and via the scriptures we can find no deviation within the New Testament.

In the google definition above it references the ideal of sprinkling water on the forehead as an alternative methodology for baptism. Biblically there was only one scripture I could find to possibly warrant to this methodology Ezekiel 36:25.

Upon researching this topic online, I found this practice of sprinkling people as an alternative method to full immersion was initially instituted for the elderly, sick or infirm and then subsequently was adopted as a standard option within certain denominations.

Ultimately though baptism as a practice is cohesive in nature as it works for us, on us and with us, through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Baptism is the first step to understanding God, His love, His mercy and His structure. So, in this light, let us take this step together, united, informed and in the truth of the God who created us.

God Bless and Keep You always

JASONRapz