Lesson 2278

(Lesson 2278)(03-07-18) Matthew 3:5-6
    “Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.”

    The first biblical application of the transliterated word “baptize” appears here in today’s quote. “Baptize” is an English word that was transliterated from, or created to replace, the Greek word “baptizo”, (sometimes written as “baptidzo”).
    According to the dictionary to transliterate is to; “write or print (a letter or word) using the closest corresponding letters of a different alphabet or language”. In this example “baptize” is a newly created English word that replaces the original Greek word, “baptizo” as it was applied in the Greek version of today’s quote.
    Transliteration simply carries forth the sound of the original word, it DOES NOT carry forth the explicit meaning or intent of the original word. It is very important to remember this as these lessons continue.
    Today’s quote relates that many Jews throughout the region of Judea went to John recieving water baptism and confessing their sins.
      It is very, very important to understand that water baptism was NOT something new to the Hebrew people at the time of John’s ministry and that it had NOTHING to do with Christianity. Water baptism was an ancient Hebrew tradition according to their divine law. Water baptism was always required of a Jew before he/she could enter into ANY kind of religious ceremony or service , for example, in order to enter into the tabernacle (or temple) to pray, offer sacrifice or confess sins, all Jews were required to receive some form of water baptism, or washing. It was used to ceremonially bathe away the external filth of the earth. This can be easily confirmed by a brief study of Jewish religious history.  I recommend reading the thoughts of Maimonedes, a 12th century Jewish scholar.
    Water baptism did not then, nor does it now have anything to do with washing away sins. Those who approached John for water baptism were simply following old Hebrew law and tradition by cleaning their bodies and preparing themselves to confess their sins before God.~
This subject will be further discussed as theses lessons progress.