"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. *And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him."
Within today's quote the the conspiracy to have Jesus captured, and crucified, is set into motion.
We see that Caiaphas, in his remarks to the Jews, inadvertently prophesied the divine mission of Jesus; "he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad."
*Verse fifty five of today's quote; "And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, TO PURIFY THEMSELVES.
It is important to note that to "purify" themselves physically, the Jews were required, by law, to undergo ritual water baptism. How can we know that this purification pertains to water baptism?
Strong's bible dictionary defines to "purify" as to "cleanse". We know that the quoted reference can only apply to one's physical condition in that in order for the Jews to cleanse their spirit, they were required to make offerings which they could not do until they had "purified" themselves physically.
Therefore verse fifty five confirms that water baptism (ritual purification) originated with the Jews and plays no role in Christianity.
The Jews were, by law, obligated to subject themselves to water "baptism" as a means of ceremonially cleansing (purifying) their physical bodies in preparation for any religious event, such as prayer, making offerings, or in this case, for participating in the Passover celebration.
When John said the Jews had come early to "purify themselves" he was, in essence, affirming that they had come early so as to undergo water baptism in one of the many *Mikvahs that were available around an in Jerusalem.
When John said the Jews had come early to "purify themselves" he was, in essence, affirming that they had come early so as to undergo water baptism in one of the many *Mikvahs that were available around an in Jerusalem.
*A mikvah is a pool of running water expecially constructed for the performance of traditional Jewish water baptisms.
Fully understanding the why and how of water baptism should be very important to all of us in that water baptism is considered by the vast majority of "Christianity" to be a Holy sacrament, and a prerequisite to eternal life. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I am convinced that water baptism is a favorite tool of Satan, and that by placing ones faith in water baptism as a means of salvation, or faith in water baptism as a required step in the "process" of salvation, is a surefire way to assure oneself of eternal damnation.
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy: 2-15)~
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