Lesson 2508

(Lesson 2508)(11-01-18) Luke 3:7-9
    “Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”

   It is very important that every bible student understand the origin of water baptism and what that ritual meant to the Jews at, and before, the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus.
    In order to fully understand the original purpose of water baptism we must go to those who kept knowledge of the ritual and actually practiced it from it’s beginning, that being the most accepted ancient Jewish scholars.
    For that purpose we will refer to the observations of two very well respected Jewish historians, Rishonim and Maimonedes concerning Mishneh Torah, Laws of Mikva’ot 1;2 (Dating all the way back to Sinai.), which says in part; “Every place the Torah speaks of washing the flesh and laundering of clothing (to purify) from the impurities-nothing other than immersion of the entire body in a mikveh [is meant].
    This establishes the origin, method and purpose of water baptism as it was practiced among the Jews from the beginning. Bible reference from which these observations were taken can be found in Lev. 15:11~
NOTE: Tomorrow we will return to this very important lesson. We will spend all the time necessary to fully understand water baptism and the variances of the root word “baptize”.