Water Ritual & Baptism
· In Judaism, as well as in Christianity, an outward sign is symbolic of an inward reality. If you cleanse yourself outwardly, symbolically you are cleansing yourself on the inside as well, purifying yourself from your past sins.
· There is much debate of the similarities and contrasts between Christian baptism and Jewish ritual washing. There is also some debate about the difference between John the Baptist’s baptisms and Christian baptism (as we know it today). The ritual of baptism originates in the purification rites of Jewish law and tradition. That is, both baptism and mikveh depict by an outward act the inward transaction of faith; and both declare that only God has the power to cleanse men's hearts and lives.
· Mikvah is an ancient Jewish water ritual. Mikvah, which means “collection of water,” is a natural body of water where a person immerses himself or herself to become “ritually pure.” It is used by religious men before prayer, a bride before she is married, a wife after her menstruation to “cleanse” herself before resuming marital relations with her husband, a person in the final stages of conversion to Judaism, and for some who dip new plates and utensils to ensure a kosher kitchen.
· In ancient times, Jewish law required the High Priests to partake in a water ritual on the Day of Atonement. Both before and after the ceremony, the priest had to bathe himself in water. This was more of a “self-bathing” process than a “baptism.”
· John the Baptist’s water ritual is described as more of a “baptism” than a “bath” or “washing.” It was administered to the person being baptized (not self-administered) and it was administered to the person only once and not often (as the water rituals often were or are).
· According to the Bible, the baptism administered by John the Baptist tied to repentance. This idea of repentance indicates a turn around, involving a turning from and a turning to. It involves a moral change, from evil to righteousness. Today’s Christian baptisms also involve repentance but add upon it the importance of having accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into a person’s life before undertaking a baptism. Baptism’s today signify not only a repentance of sin, but also a confirmation of one’s belief that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.
· In the Bible, the Lord, speaking through Ezekiel, says, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart… and I will put my Spirit in you." (Ezekiel 36.25,27)
· To believers of the Old Testament, this shows that that “sprinkling” of water will bring about a spiritual cleansing – a transformation of the heart and spirit.
· Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
1 : to administer
baptism to
2 a : to purify or cleanse spiritually especially by a purging experience or
ordeal b :
INITIATE
3 : to give a name to (as at
baptism ) :
CHRISTEN
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