BAPTISM in the Old Testament... the PATTERN Given...

corroborates or verifies the New Testament teachings on Baptism. Let's see how...

~ ~ ~

Baptism is seen in the Old Testament in the bronze or brass laver and sea, large water baths or vessels for cleansing, in the Temple.

.

What did they cleanse?

.

II Chronicles 4:1-6 tells us about the bronze sea, which was a huge brass bowl, a handsbreath thick with a brim like a cup, that sat upon the backs of 12 bronze oxen. The oxen's backsides were inward under the bowl; their faces pointed , in groups of 3, to north, south, east, and west, respectively.

~~~

This bronze or brass "sea" was about 20 feet in diameter and about 10 feet deep; it held 3000 "baths" which equal about 18,000 GALLONS of water. Hence, it was called a "sea." It was inside the temple for the washing of the priests.

~ ~ ~

The 10 lavers ... 5 on the right hand and 5 on the left ... were for the washing of the burnt sacrifices. It was mandatory that both sacrifice and the priest presenting the sacrifice to The LORD be washed in this Temple water.

~ ~ ~

Both were forerunners of New Testament believers.

~ ~ ~

We are told in Romans 12:1 to "present your bodies a living sacrifice..."

+ + +

In I Peter 2:9 ... that "... ye... are a royal priesthood... "

+ + +

In harmony with the type (forerunner, example, pattern) given us in the Old Testament then, we can make the connection to New Testament Baptism by looking at Ephesians 5:25 and 5:26, 27.

~ ~ ~

Husbands, love your wives, even as CHRIST also loved the church, and gave HIMSELF+ for it: That HE+ might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that HE+ might present it to HIMSELF+ a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

~ ~ ~

Now, bear with me as I explain a little Greek about this passage. In harmony with

• the Old Testament pattern of water washings of both sacrifices and priests,
• the New Testament teachings on the washing of Baptism,
• and without breaking the Greek rules of grammar, this passage may be read:

.

"...even as CHRIST also loved the church and gave HIMSELF+ up on its behalf in order that HE+, having thoroughly cleansed it for sacred use in the water's bath, might sanctify it (the church) by means of the word (RHEMATi, not logos) , teaching and doctrine."

~ ~ ~

The rhemati is significant, because it includes the concepts of teaching and doctrine, as in this case, the doctrine of Baptism.

~~~

The usual word meaning of WORD in the New Testament is LOGOS, as in John 1:1... In the beginning was the WORD (logos) and the WORD (logos) was with GOD and the WORD (logos) was GOD.

~ ~ ~

Thus, we can see in this brief study that BAPTISM was an integral part of the Old Testament pattern that pre-set the picture of CHRIST and HIS+ Church... a shadow and type of what would take place in the the NEW COVENANT, which was to come.

~ ~ ~

(Priests)... Who serve unto the example and shadow of Heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of GOD when he was about to make the tabernacle: for , See, saith HE, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee on the mount.

Hebrews 8:5 and Exodus 25:40

~ ~ ~

This pattern of all things established in the Old Testament tabernacle and Temple was given so the people could identify the MESSIAH when HE+ came.

~ ~ ~

Bless GOD! HE has not left us as a prey for their teeth!

HE+ went before us so that we would not be confused or in doubt of HIM+ or His+ Way of Salvation.

Bless GOD!

+ + +

Have YOU Been "PRICKED in the Heart " ?

Acts 2:37 

Now when they heard this, 

they were pricked in their heart, 

and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles,

Men and brethren, what shall  we DO ?

 WHAT DID GOD SAY TO DO 

in HIS inerrant , GOD-breathed WORD?

Then the Apostle Peter said unto them,

“REPENT and . . .

“Come down front and pray the Sinner’s Prayer . . . “

in the Name of JESUS CHRIST for the Remission of Sins and you shall receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT.

? ?  ?

NO . . .

The Apostle Peter did NOT say that; Billy Graham did.

Well, how about this one: 

REPENT and . . .

“RECEIVE JESUS as your personal SAVIOR” ?

for the Remission of Sins and you shall receive

the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. 

?  ?  ?

NO . . .

 

SCRIPTURE does not say that , either, although a myriad of personal evangelists, internet messages, and Salvation tracts state this erroneous message.

Yet another modern day invention widely proclaimed WITHOUT a SHRED of  SCRIPTURE to back it is this: 

“Just ACCEPT JESUS in your heart 

and you will be Saved.” 

From what ? SCRIPTURE never makes that statement nor even proclaims  that concept. 

How does an Un-Saved human being

REMOVE his sins ?

Let us LOOK carefully at what happened in Acts 2:37. The men listening to the Apostle Peter’s preaching HEARD IT; they had “ears to hear.”

First comes the preaching of The WORD, the Salvation message that JESUS CHRIST was Crucified for our sins, --- Yes, for ALL have sinned --- and HE+ rose again from the dead, and is coming again to judge both the living and the dead. 

Then falls the Conviction of the SPIRIT and the intense pricking of the heart regarding one’s sins. 

Then comes the Question: 

What must I DO to be Saved ? 

The Apostle told them to DO  two things:

1.  REPENT

2.  BE BAPTIZED

Those TWO ACTIONS are to be done BY THE ONE wanting Salvation. 

If a person does those TWO things in the Name of JESUS CHRIST as Scripture tells us to do, then TWO THINGS will happen to him: 

1.  His SINS will be remitted ( sent away from him, not accounted to him ) in The Name of JESUS CHRIST, 

AND . . .

2.  He will RECEIVE the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT

There is NO OTHER WAY in SCRIPTURE  for the Un-Saved person  to  rid himself of his sins. 

SCRIPTURE NEVER, EVER

tells us to “RECEIVE” JESUS.

Indeed, just the opposite is true:  HE+ receives us, when we have taken those TWO steps, in integrity and sincerity of heart.  

[ If you doubt this statement, look up EVERY SCRIPTURE that has the word "receive" in it.  Do the same with "accept", "accepted" , and "acceptable." It will be an eye-opener. 

You will wonder:  WHAT have we been TAUGHT ?]

SCRIPTURE NEVER, EVER tells us to

“ACCEPT” CHRIST  

as our personal SAVIOR+, either.

HE+ will be PERSONAL 

if we faithfully

take those TWO steps.

As a matter of fact, SCRIPTURE does indeed teach us to DO THOSE THINGS which make us  ACCEPTABLE to GOD ; it is not the other way around !

Now , keep TWO TRUTHS in mind,

as you share the Salvation message:

The Sins are NOT sent away from an Un-Saved person if he ONLY REPENTS.

The Sins are NOT sent away from an Un-Saved person if he ONLY IS BAPTIZED.

These steps to enter into the Kingdom of GOD must go together, as Scripture -- not men, not evangelists, nor teachers of this modern, weak church age --- plainly states: 

Acts 2:38 

Then Peter said unto them, 

REPENT and BE BAPTIZED

every one of you 

in the name of JESUS CHRIST 

for the remission of sins,

and ye shall receive 

the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. 

 +  +  +

Glory be to The FATHER

WHO created us;

To the BELOVED SON+, 

our LORD and SAVIOR+ JESUS CHRIST

WHO+ saves us;

and the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT 

WHO sanctifies us. 

+  +  +

From Hippolytus : " BAPTIZE ME+, JOHN . . ."

Baptize ME+, John,

in order that  
no one

may despise baptism.

WORDS FROM HIPPOLYTUS .. .

A WARNING TO THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

SINCE WHEN  has it been necessary to call a meeting to decide if The WORD+ of GOD  is correct ?

   Your Solemn Assemblies MY+ Soul Hates

Isaiah 1:13 .

1 JOHN 1: 9 IS NOT for " EVERYBODY" ! Well . . . How are our Sins REMOVED ?

PHOTO BY The ORDER OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD+

HOW DO WE CLEANSE OURSELVES

FROM OUR SINS ?

Scripture speaks of TWO DIFFERENT WAYS to TWO DIFFERENT sets of people for the cleansing of sin.

We know this is true because of  Acts 2:38 AND . . . 1 John 1:9.  

These TWO Scriptures APPLY

to TWO DIFFERENT

sets of people !

Did GOD Say . . . ? . . . Acts 2:38

Acts 2:37 

Now when they heard this, 

they were pricked in their heart, 

and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles,

Men and brethren, what shall  we DO ?

 WHAT DID GOD SAY TO DO 

in HIS inerrant , GOD-breathed WORD?

APOSTLE BARNABAS : We Descend into the WATER Full of Sins and DEFILEMENT

THE APOSTLE BARNABAS  70 -130, Eastern writer

JESUS answered,

Verily, verily, I+ say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of Water and of the SPIRIT, 

he cannot enter into the Kingdom of GOD.

John 3:5 

How . . .

did the Pre-Nicene Christians interpret these plain words of CHRIST ? 

From the Epistle of Barnabas, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1, Section XI , "Baptism and the Cross Prefigured in the Old Testament,"  page 144 :

[ After Barnabas quotes several passages in the Prophets and Psalms, he says ] . . . Mark how HE has described at once both the Water and the Cross.  For these words imply,

Blessed are they who, placing their trust in the CROSS, have gone down into the Water; . . .

This meaneth that we indeed descend into the Water full of sins and defilement, but come up, bearing fruit in our heart, having the fear [ of GOD ]  and trust in JESUS in our spirit. "

This Apostle and companion of the Apostle Paul, both separated unto the work of the LORD by the HOLY SPIRIT,  did not spiritualize away the "WATER" not did he ignore the cleansing work in our souls effected by the Waters of BAPTISM. 

Why do we ?  

 Verily, verily, I+ say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of Water

and of the SPIRIT, 

he cannot enter into the Kingdom of GOD.

The Words of JESUS CHRIST  . 

 

 

ARAMAIC SCRIPTURES on BAPTISM

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ORDER OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD+

~ ~ Luke 7:29 and 30, from the Aramaic New Covenant Scriptures ~ ~

Here is a word-by-word literal translation* of the Aramaic New Covenant Scriptures of Luke 7:29 and 7:30, regarding the baptism from John the baptist.

What IF JESUS CHRIST said to us...

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ORDER OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD+

In view of Mt 7:21-23,
WHAT IF Jesus Christ said to us:

“You say you have received Christ!
But do you know what I require of you,
to be received by Me?

You say you are led by the Spirit !
My Spirit leads one to obey

what is written...

such as repent and be baptized
for remission of your sins!

WHY was Our LORD JESUS Baptized? Listen to the Answer from HIPPOLYTUS...

Baptize ME+, John,

in order that  
no one

may despise baptism.

WORDS FROM HIPPOLYTUS .. .




Hippolytus, (c. 170-236 AD), Bishop and doctor, near Rome, and Christian Martyr, being drowned in a canal about the commencement of the reign of Maximin the Thracian, p.6, Introductory Notice to Hippolytus.Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 5, The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus, The Discourse on the Holy Theophany, Chapter 5, p. 236.[ Said John the Baptist to The LORD JESUS at the River Jordan: “I have need to be baptized of THEE+, and comest THOU+ to me?” ]....

Chapter 5.

And what saith The LORD to him?
“Suffer it to be so now,

for thus it becometh us

to fulfill all righteousness.”

“Suffer it to be so now,”John; thou art not wiser than I+. Thou seest as man; I+ foreknow as GOD. It becomes ME+ to do this first, and thus to teach. I+ engage in nothing unbecoming, for I+ am invested with honor. Dost thou marvel, O John, that I+ am not come in My+ Dignity?

The purple robe of kings suits not one in private station,

but military splendor suits a king:

am I+ come to a prince, and not to a friend?

“Suffer it to be so now

for thus it becometh us

to fulfill all righteousness:”

I+ am the FULFILLER+ of the [ Mosaic ] Law; I+ seek to leave nothing wanting to its whole fulfillment, that so after ME+ Paul may exclaim,
“CHRIST is the fulfilling of the [ Mosaic] Law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” “Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Baptize ME+, John,

in order that no one

may despise baptism.

I+ am baptized by thee, the servant, that no one among kings or dignitaries may scorn to be baptized by the hand of a poor priest. Suffer ME+ to go down into the Jordan, in order that they may hear My+ FATHER’S testimony, and recognize the power of the SON+.“Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Then at length John suffers HIM+.

“And JESUS, when HE+ was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and the Heavens were opened unto HIM+; and, lo, the SPIRIT of GOD descended like a dove, and rested upon HIM+.And a voice (came) from Heaven, saying,

THIS is MY Beloved S0N+, in whom I am well pleased.”

~ ~ ~

References

Material is from the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volumes 1-10, American Edition ( a reprint of Christian Literature Publishing Co. 1886), 2nd printing 1995, Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA. ISBN 1-56563-087-4

Some supplemental information and dates are from: David W. Bercot, editor, A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, Peabody, MA, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1998. ISBN 978-1-56563-870-9 [ Scroll Publishing www.scrollpublishing.com ]

Digital Copy from: The Master Christian Library Version 8 CD-ROM 2000 Ages Softward, Rio, WI www.ageslibrary.com NOTE: This Digital Copy of the ANF does NOT contain any Introductory Notes from the translators and editors, no footnotes, and no elucidations and comments at the end of the books, although these helpful items are contained in the hard copy listed above.
~ ~ ~
NOTE: Comments in green are from the Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+; extra words in black are in the text from the editors. Color added to pronouns, etc., for clarity.

CLEMENT of Alexandria: Washing of the Character

"AT PRAYER"
Picture courtesy of
 The Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+

 "Our characters are NOT the  same

as before our washing... "

The RISEN LORD Speaks to Us in Aramaic, Greek, English ...

Photo by The Order of The GOOD SHEPHERD+ 

... about baptism...
in His+ last set of instructions
to His+ followers. 
( Matthew 28:19 )

 ܙܶܠܘ ܗܳܟ݂ܺܝܠ ܬ݁ܰܠܡܶܕ݂ܘ ܟ݁ܽܠܗܽܘܢ ܥܰܡ݈ܡܶܐ ܘܰܐܥܡܶܕ݂ܘ 
Matthew 28:19 - ܐܶܢܽܘܢ ܒ݁ܫܶܡ ܐܰܒ݂ܳܐ ܘܰܒ݂ܪܳܐ ܘܪܽܘܚܳܐ ܕ݁ܩܽܘܕ݂ܫܳܐ ܀
(Etheridge) As the Father sent me, so also I send you. Go therefore, disciple all nations, and baptize them in the name (of) the Father, and (of) the Son, and (of) the Spirit of Holiness.

(Murdock) Go ye, therefore, and instruct all nations; and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

(Lamsa) Go, therefore, and convert all nations; and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit;


Aramaic Text and English Translations courtesy of Dukhrana.com

JESUS' WORD on BAPTISM #1

If I+ do not wash you,

you have no part

with ME+...

Words of The LORD,

recorded (NKJV) in John 13:8
... upon washing Peter's feet.

IRENAEUS: We Are LEPERS in SIN...

“And dipped himself,” says [the Scripture], “seven times in Jordan.”

It was not for nothing that Naaman of old,
when suffering from leprosy,

was purified

upon his being baptized,

.

but [it served] as an indication to us.

.

For as we are lepers in sin, we are made clean, by means of the sacred water AND the invocation of the LORD, from our old transgressions;

.

being spiritually regenerated as new-born babes, even as the LORD has declared:
.

“Except a man be born again

through water and the SPIRIT,

he shall not enter

into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

.

Fragment 34, "The Lost Fragments of Irenaeus", pg. 574, [ Master Christian Library digital copy, pg. 1134] , Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1.

.

IRENAEUS, a Bishop at Lyons, (Gaul or France), died with thousands of his flock, like a true shepherd, in the massacre of Emperor Severus, pg. 310, Introductory Note. He was "probably born in Syria and removed in boyhood to Smyrna", according to Intro. Note on page 312. Irenaeus was "acquainted with Polycarp ( martyr and disciple of the Apostle John ) in his early youth," page 315, footnote 4. Some resources say Irenaeus was taught by Polycarp. Circa 120-202 AD.
.

REFERENCES

NOTE: Material is from the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volumes 1-10, American Edition ( a reprint of Christian Literature Publishing Co. 1886), 2nd printing 1995, Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA. ISBN 1-56563-087-4

Some supplemental information and dates are from: David W. Bercot, editor, A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, Peabody, MA, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1998. ISBN 978-1-56563-870-9 [ Scroll Publishing www.scrollpublishing.com ]

Digital Copy from: The Master Christian Library Version 8 CD-ROM 2000 Ages Softward, Rio, WI www.ageslibrary.com

NOTE: This Digital Copy of the ANF does NOT contain any Introductory Notes from the translators and editors, no footnotes, and no elucidations and comments at the end of the books, although these helpful items are contained in the hard copy listed above.
~ ~ ~

IRENAEUS: BAPTISM Unifies the Body of CHRIST...



"I+  AM THE VINE; YE ARE THE BRANCHES" 



IRENAEUS AGAINST HERESIES

(excerpts) The Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, Book 3, Chapter 17, sections1, 2 & 3, pp.444-445. Reference data at the end of the blog.

CIRCA 180 AD, E/W (estimated from dates given for other Book 3 citations and E and W indicate Irenaeus was considered a writer from both the Eastern and the Western locales, according to David W. Bercot. See reference at the end of the blog.)

NOTE: Comments in green are explanatory notes from blogger's assistant, Sister Judith Hannah; extra words in black are in the text from the editors. Color added to pronouns, etc., for clarity.

CHAPTER 17-- THE APOSTLES TEACH THAT IT WAS NEITHER CHRIST NOR THE SAVIOR, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO DID DESCEND UPON JESUS. THE REASON FOR THIS DESCENT

1. It certainly was in the power of the Apostles to declare that CHRIST descended upon JESUS, or that the so-called superior SAVIOR [came down] upon the dispensational one, or HE+ Who is from the invisible places upon him from the Demiurge*; but they [the Apostles] neither knew nor said anything of the kind: for, had they known it, they would have also certainly stated it. *[ term the Gnostics used: Gnostic subordinate “deity” who is the creator of the material world . ed. note]

But what really was the case, that did they record, [namely,] that the SPIRIT of GOD as a dove descended upon HIM+; this SPIRIT, of Whom it was declared by Isaiah, “And the SPIRIT of GOD shall rest upon HIM+,” as I have already said.

And again: “The SPIRIT of the LORD is upon ME+, because HE hath anointed ME+.” That is the SPIRIT of Whom the LORD+ declares,

“For it is not ye that speak, but the SPIRIT of Your FATHER which speaketh in you.”

And again, giving to the disciples the power of regeneration into GOD, HE+ said to them,

“Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of THE FATHER, and of The SON+, and of the HOLY SPIRIT.”

For [God] promised, that in the last times HE would pour HIM [the SPIRIT] upon [His] servants and handmaids, that they might prophesy;

wherefore HE did also descend upon the SON+ of GOD, made the Son of Man, becoming accustomed in fellowship with HIM+ to dwell in the human race, to rest with human beings, and to dwell in the workmanship of GOD, working the will of THE FATHER in them, and renewing them from their old habits into the newness of CHRIST.

2. This SPIRIT did David ask for the human race, saying, “And stablish me with THINE all-governing SPIRIT;” Who also, as Luke says, descended at the day of Pentecost upon the disciples after the LORD’S+ ascension, having power to admit all nations to the entrance of Life, and to the opening of the New Covenant;

from whence also, with one accord in all languages, they uttered praise to GOD, the SPIRIT bringing distant tribes to unity, and offering to THE FATHER the first-fruits of all nations.

Wherefore also the LORD+ promised to send the Comforter, Who should join us to GOD.

For as a compacted lump of dough cannot be formed of dry wheat without fluid matter, nor can a loaf possess unity, so, in like manner,

neither could we, being many, be made one in CHRIST JESUS without the WATER from Heaven.

And as dry earth does not bring forth unless it receive moisture, in like manner we also, being originally a dry tree, could never have brought forth fruit unto Life without the voluntary RAIN from above.

For our bodies have received unity among themselves by means of that Laver [ Baptism ] which leads to incorruption; but our souls, by means of the SPIRIT;

Wherefore both are necessary, since both contribute towards the life of GOD;

our LORD+ compassionating that erring Samaritan woman — who did not remain with one husband, but committed fornication by [contracting] many marriages — by pointing out, and promising to her LIVING WATER,

so that she should thirst no more, nor occupy herself in acquiring the refreshing water obtained by labor, having in herself WATER springing up to Eternal Life.

The LORD+ receiving this as a gift from His+ FATHER, does Himself+ also confer it upon those who are partakers of Himself+, sending the HOLY SPIRIT upon all the earth.

3. [ …… ] This SPIRIT, again, HE+ did confer upon the Church, sending throughout all the world the Comforter from Heaven,

from whence also the LORD+ tells us that the devil, like lightning, was cast down.

Wherefore we have need of the DEW of GOD, that we be not consumed by fire, nor be rendered unfruitful,

and that where we have an accuser there we may have also an Advocate,

the LORD+ commending to the HOLY SPIRIT His+ own man [ i.e. the Believer ], who had fallen among thieves, whom HE+ Himself + compassionated, and bound up his wounds, giving two ROYAL DENARIA;

so that we, receiving by the SPIRIT the image and superscription of THE FATHER and The SON+, might cause the denarium entrusted to us to be fruitful, counting out the increase [thereof] to the LORD+.

 REFERENCES

NOTE: Material is from the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volumes 1-10, American Edition ( a reprint of Christian Literature Publishing Co. 1886), 2nd printing 1995, Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA. ISBN 1-56563-087-4

Some supplemental information and dates are from: David W. Bercot, editor, A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, Peabody, MA, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1998. ISBN 978-1-56563-870-9

Digital Copy from: The Master Christian Library Version 8 CD-ROM 2000 Ages Softward, Rio, WI www.ageslibrary.com

NOTE: This Digital Copy of the ANF does NOT contain any Introductory Notes from the translators and editors, no footnotes, and no elucidations and comments at the end of the books, although these helpful items are contained in the hard copy listed above.