In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructs His apostles to go and make disciples, and then says this: “baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
Since this is the statement that immediately follows the main command to “make disciples” people assume this means that the first step in making a disciple is getting them baptized.
But now that we have learned something about the meaning of the word “baptism,” is this really what Jesus is saying? Remember, whenever we see the word “baptism” in Scripture, we must not immediately think about dunking somebody under water, but must first remember what the word means, namely, “to be immersed, overcome, or fully identified with” something or somebody else. Then with this definition in mind, we must read the verse again.
In the case of Matthew 28:19-20, we end up with this:
Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations, immersing them and fully identifying them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you…
With such a reading, water baptism may not be in view at all!
To the contrary, the phrase “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” may just be another way of saying, “teaching them fully about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, helping them understand Who God is and live more like God in our lives.”
With this reading, someone who is “baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” has become fully identified with the Trinitarian God, so that when people see us, they see God. In other words, since Jesus revealed God to us, a fully trained disciple is someone who looks and acts like Jesus to others. Such a person could be said to have been “baptized” or “immersed” or “fully identified with” Jesus.
When read this way, the first part of verse 20 where Jesus talks about teaching others is not a “second step” to discipleship, so that first you get baptized, and secondly you get taught. Instead, the two parts are simply two different ways of saying the same thing. The phrase “baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” is another way of saying “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
In this reading, Matthew 28:19-20 is a classic case of Hebrew parallelism. The second statement does not follow the other sequentially, but amplifies and further explains the first statement. Such a way of teaching is somewhat foreign to our logic-driven, outline-focused, step-centered Western way of thinking, but was one of the primary ways Middle Eastern teachers and thinkers taught in Biblical times. And lest we forget, Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi.
Still not convinced? I have one final piece of evidence for this view tomorrow….
I think the difficulty with the approach you are taking here is that one the first opportunity that the disciples have for expanded their numbers (the day of Pentecost) the follow these instructions by baptizing 3,000 people.
Did you not read the rest of the posts before this one…?
Excellent post. Looking forward to your follow up.
Thanks Jeremy, I’m firmly on the fence now on baptism. Baptism seems to be a religious tradition or sacrament that has lost some of its meaning in our culture. I understand it would have meant something to people in Jesus’ day. I also understand it has real meaning to many Christians today. But I’m sure it looks like a strange religious ceremony to many on the outside. But all these verses about baptism made me think this religious sacrament may be untouchable.
I’m learning that my Jesus is less concerned with religious actions and more concerned with our hearts and lives. So what you are saying is refreshing. Thanks.
Jon,
It does have real meaning today. Don’t throw the baby out with the baptism water. Not yet, anyway!
I will resurrect baptism before we are through.
I look forward to what else you have. I haven’t studied this topic much. I have just wondered what John and Jesus would have done if they had arrived in a climate like mine where lakes and rivers are frozen half the year… or a culture like we have where identifying with an ideology or movement typically means you buy a t-shirt with a catchy saying, or just dress a certain way. I just think it would be pretty strange if John showed up today and wanted people to get dunked in our cities toxic river in winter if we knew nothing about baptism.
Jon,
Great points.
I had a long conversation about this with my wife last night, and we have some good suggestions, I think.
Well said.
Hebrew parallelism, once it was explained to me, opened up so much Scripture.
dude… you are freaking me out!!!
Just kidding. I love that you are posting these.
I love a little cranial challenge.
Me too a little bit!
How come Paul spoke of those he baptized, even amongst the Gentiles?
Doug,
Great question. We’ll get to that as well. Over the next week or so, we will work through Acts to see how baptism progressed along with the mission of the church.
Just found your article , where is part 2?
Pjhanson
Hi Jeremy! You’re messing with the usual “interpretation”. Next you’ll be telling us the Bible doesn’t command us to build multi- million dollar buildings, and call them “churches”.
My reaction to what you just said….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgZIYdFmZqc
=0
So funny!
Sam,
It’s my favorite thing to do!
I was what the bible would call a gentile. I was sceptical of religion. Then, in a very desperate place in my life I experienced healing. I found hope after my own hope had failed. It was there, right where it was needed. Put there by the creator I guess. The Red Letters in the Bible made sense to me where they hadn’t before. There was understanding that came with the hope. I surrendered to Love and Truth. I found a way to live again after betrayal and rejection mine and others. So here was Christ in my life. The only man ever with which one could be loyal and honest. He forgave our lies and betrayal. For 25 more years my life in him and with him improved. One thing I could not understand was, Why would the Son of God be baptized by John? Christ said John was the best of the old man, but would not make the cut in the new order. Anyway, I wasn’t able to figure it out. So, like a lot of other things I tried it, I was baptized into the Church. Now, I get it. Jesus immersed himself in the world, became one of us so we could immerse ourselves in him. He came to save, not just me but the whole world, including religion. That’s my take on baptism. Thank you for your post.
Acts 10:44-48?
This does not do the scripture Justice. The term baptism comes from a greek word baptizo meaning to immerse, to submerge, to plunge. Baptizing them into the name comes from the greek eis to onoma meaning to be baptized into the possession of God. Once you become the possession of God you learn to observe all things. That is the devotion to the Apostles word, Acts 2:42, John 17:20. In Acts 2:38 The reason in which they were baptized was by the authority of Christ, they were baptized for the reason of having there sins washed away. Peter told them to Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is your faith in the resurrection of Jesus that saves you, and that at the point of baptism as 1Peter 3:21 states Baptism now saves you not the removal of dirt, but a an appeal towards God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was only a symbol in the days of Noah, but now saves. This does not exclude believing repenting and confessing all those things we must do as well. It is at baptism that we complete our faith as saving obedient faith in Christ.
Thankfully, this post is only one post in a longer series on baptism. In the longer series, I discuss the definition of baptism and some of the other passages in Scripture about baptism.
I am an ex UPC “oneness Pentecostal” who denied the trinity and believed
salvation was accomplished through obeying procedures. ACTS 2:38 was a message to the
jews.who were steeped in tradition and washings and purification rituals.
the apostle Paul did not preach ACTS 2:38 to the gentiles. He conferred not with Peter.
Only Christ Jesus puts us into His body by His Spirit not by corruptible water or by any other
means that can never purge the conscience from dead works.
the book of acts was a transitional book to the dispensation of Grace.Water baptism was occasionaly done as a carry over(over lapping of the 2 dispensations)while the jews were still being dealt with and until the New Testament was finished
This is the best, most accurate comment that I’ve read.
Very excellent.
Actually this is this is the scariest comment I have ever heard on baptism. Please be careful… I really believe the Bible is very clear that Faith, Repentance and Baptism is necessary for Salvation. I believe this is an attempt by the devil to lead people astray. I truly believe the Bible is clear on baptism!
Thank you for your kindness.
I’m in a process of learning.
What I’ve learned recently about water baptism, comes from the dispensational teaching of Richard Jordan.
I only can say for sure,
That faith in the finished work of Christ, personally appropriated,
Is the only way of salvation.
I’ve also trashed my nasb and Holman books, since I learned how corrupt they are.
Now,
I’m an Authorized ONLY believer.
You owe it to yourself to view Gail Riplinger video called
New age bible versions.
It will forever effect your view of scripture.
Please feel free to respond any way you like.
Lee
This is me, Lee, replying to my own comment.
I no longer follow dispensationalism.
But I can say with certainty. That faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life.
This is me replying to my own comment.
I no longer hold dispensational views.
So please disregard my previous comment.
Thank you.
All glory to the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
If you believe the Bible is the word of God and follow Paul’s admonition to rightly divide the word of truth you will be a dispensationalist. There is nothing wrong with being a dispensationalist. You will have a better understanding of scripture and it will keep you out of a lot of false doctrine. But like anything else some people will take it out of the boundaries of scripture.
If it is good enough for Jesus to be baptised then its good enough reason for me to as well that was why i wanted to be baptised.He says that it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness verse 15 in that sense he could have been talking of fulfilling the requirements of the law and in Jesus we fulfill the requirements of the law.I dont believe that it is neccesary step to be saved as some of the gentile believers Peter spoke to received the holy spirit before they were baptised.Its a good picture of the old being washed away and we are raised up as a new person in Christ.When i was baptised in the holy spirit and spoke in tongues it was exactly like a water baptism i felt the water washing over me as it washed i just started speaking in tongues.brentnz
mat 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
I am glad there are many people thinking on this matter, does baptism mean immersion in WATER.
In addition to the aspects pointed out on the blog and the Comments, two more aspects that could be considered :
a) was not the baptism of our Lord by John in Old Testament times (as was circumcision etc.) ?
b) did our Lord ever himself baptise anybody in water ?
May all this lead to all of us getting into a deeper relationship with Him, and to “working out” our Salvation (which He has worked into us as a gift) that He may be glorified in us. That our “marks” as believers testify that we Love Him and Love others as we love ourselves.
Thank you for the additional points to consider! Truly, the mark of a believer is not being dipped under water, but loving others like Jesus.
I dont really believe what Im reading on this site. How in the name of good sense and honesty, would you not believe, Baptism for salvation is in water? How much plainer could God have spoke. He says to be baptize for the remission of sins, and the example is always in water. How much plainer could you speak? The Eunich had to go down in the water, because He came up out of the water. Have we all lost our direction in reasoning?
Also, someone on this site says you are saved then you are baptized. Do you suppose God didnt know this person was saved? If He did then He saves people with sins. Not. A person repents, which means He has change His direction. Quit sinning and start living for Jesus. It nevers says your sins are forgiven until you are baptized. No where in the bible is someone saved with sins. Say it again, never in the new Testament is a man saved with his sins… I heard a man say that the reason you are baptized is because you are saved. That equates with quit sinning before you repent. When you quit sinning you have repented. Now you might go back to sinning, but for that duration you have repented. Or someone else might say you repented but havent stop sinning. Not . Where is common sense in our talk these days.
shackpoke
What about; Sins are forgiven without water immersion?
Luke 7:48
Dipped under water is not your choice. If you want to follow Jesus, you will have to, not given a choice, follow what the Holy spirit said in the New Testament. Baptism is never a choice. Where do you and others get that idea? It is not in the bible. Show me one instance where anyone was ever given a choice? If you cant then you should stop deriding Jesus and the apostles who were led by the Holy spirit. Not only that you should be looking to do all you can, not trying to get around baptism. It is to plain for a man with common sense. I have heard that salvations plan is written on a 5th grade level. Where does that leave all these “pastor” who deride immersion for remission of Sins??
shackpoke
The bible is to clear on Baptism. It is for the remission of Sins. No where in the new Testament does it ever allow a person a choice in being or not being baptised. How could there be a choice. It difines a Christians new birth. Before the new birth we are still in our old body of sin. The new birth is a new beggining. Before Baptism dead in sins, after baptism, a new person. Only after baptism is a person considered saved in the bible. Now there are men who make up a new gospel, and say things to the contrairy. But that is only man talking not God. If man said it and it is different from what God said , I believe God..
What about the thief on the cross? He wasn’t baptised yet Jesus told him he would be in glory with Jesus.
Thanks Jeremy, and Amen. It is really so obvious that water baptism has been left behind as we grew in the Spirit.
There is no mystery as to why Jesus was baptized in the first place. The answer is clear and without controversy in John 1:31-33. John did not recognize Jesus, and wouldn’t have if He passed him in the street. Although they were cousins, the first time they met was in their mother’s wombs (Luke 1:41); John grew up in the wilderness; and came to town to deliver his message of the coming Messiah.
Israel also needed to recognize the Lord — they didn’t know what to expect; and completely misconstrued what He would be like.
31 “And I did not recognize Him, but in order that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.”
Baptismal water rites were very important to Jews and an indelible part of their legal obligations. John 1:25 illustrates how important it was.
It is more than significant that Jesus refused to baptize anyone in water (John 4:2); He had an infinitely higher purpose, which John the Baptist emphasized (John 1:27).
The Bible student has to be somewhat aware of when God is speaking to the Jews, the Gentiles, and Both; although there are theological underpinnings that apply to Both.
For example, John 3:5 has absolutely nothing to do with water baptism. Look at the cross reference column in your Bibles regarding John 3:5 — you will see it cross referenced to Ezekiel 36:245-27. No way to see this as applicable to Gentiles, though John 3:5 is theologically applicable to both. Nicodemus, a “teacher” in Israel, could not comprehend anything Jesus was saying, not because it was so difficult, but because he was not born spiritually — the first 10 verses in John 3 discusses this meeting.
John 3:5 is all about John 3:3 — the reality that in order to be receptive the the Holy Spirit, one must be born from above, i.e., heaven’s spiritual gifts. John 3:5 can be seen as saying, One must become spiritual in order to be born of the Spirit. Water is a metaphor for spiritual. If one is not spiritual he cannot engage the Spirit (John 4:24).
People say Matthew 28:19 was a command.
Here is a command, in John 15:12: “This is My commandment, that you love one another, Just as I have loved you.”
17 “This I command you, that you love one another.”
The two most important things Jesus ever said: Luke 10:27. Every command He gave had to do with love. In John 21:15-17, in the greek the word, “agape” love is highlighted, and in contrast to phileo, which in and of itself could not get the mission accomplished, which was to “Feed My sheep.”
Rituals served their purpose, but were not part of the salvation process.
Jesus was transitional between the Old and the New Covenants. For example, Matthew 8:4 describes an incident when Jesus healed a leper, and told him to “go show yourself to the priest, and present the offering that Moses commanded for a testimony to them.”
Would He say that to a Gentile? No way.
And He didn’t say that later on as His ministry progressed. It was part of His being recognized.
Matthew 3:15 is where Jesus tells John the baptist, in response to his surprise that Jesus would condescend to be baptized, knowing full well who Jesus actually was; Jesus said:
“Permit it at this time, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Yes, righteousness recognizable to Jew. Adhering to the legal precepts was righteousness under Mosaic Law back then.
Then, in Acts, the Holy Spirit was freely given. And so on.
The best way to display the death and resurrection of Jesus is to live it, be a witness by your life. It is far more effective to see a person who has reached bottom; and then to see him freed from his misery — that has been an amazing witness of the work of the Holy Spirit. Many people are baptized in water and nothing at all is changed. There in no way to receive the Holy Spirit and be insincere; yet one can go through rituals all day long and still be completely insincere. The thief on the cross is the best illustration of the miracle of salvation.
Because people take communion without reverence and because some of them have never repented of their sins does not mean I or any other believer should abandon the sacrament of communion. Why should we abandon a clear teaching of scripture (water baptism) because someone got baptized in water and didn’t live the Christian life. That makes no sense.
Logistically, was there enough: 1) time 2) officials 3) water source to immerse 3000 converts in Jerusalem in one day? Thanks.
Sure something to think about. Guess we need someone to do a “time and motion study”.
The Complete Jewish Bible reads, 19 “Go therefore and make people from all nations into Talmidim immersing them INTO the reality of the Father, the Son and the Rauch HaKodesh, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded You. And remember! I will be with You always, yes even to the end of the age. —Talmidim = disciple or student Rauch HaKodesh = Holy spirit — Sounds to Me like Jesus is saying to immerse (by the complete inundation or flooding of Jesus teachings) others everything about Him The Father, And the Holy spirit. Exactly what Jesus did with the original 12. He taught them, and made them part of His loving family. Hense, -a waterless baptism.
This is my somewhat new understanding as well. I’m on Rapture Ready Bulletin Board trying to get more perspective on this as nobody I know will even discuss this. Why is this not addressed in more churches? I think scripture is pretty clear on the idea that baptism is not about water, but being identified in Christ. John 15 states that they have been cleansed by the Word He has taught them. I came to this conclusion slowly, alone, reading scripture. Thought I might be the only person on earth who was reading it this way lol. Have been called a few unpleasant names for saying it out loud.
Gina, Google — bible.org what is the primary meaning of baptism? Some translational difficulties. — It may verify your thinking on the matter. I use the cucumber and vinegar analogy. When a cucumber is “immersed” (and remains) in a pickling solution, It is forever changed. And the longer it remains the more it is changed by the pickling solution. This cannot be accomplished by a quick ceremonial dip in the vinegar. The outside of the cucumber does wet but it is still a cucumber. I want to be a Holy Spirit “cured” pickle, not a wet cucumber.
Thanks Wiley. The definitions and word origin info were helpful. It freaked me out that they quoted watchtower magazine, not sure why any Christian outfit would do that. But still, most of the info was helpful. ?
Philip, sharing the “Good News”(the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus) with an ethiopian fellow clearly includes H2O in his salvation message. The ethiopian, under conviction urgently asks Philip to dunk him in some pond by the side of the road. Philip was following orders given in Matt.28:19. Peter bound this ritual in heaven on the day of Pentecost 2000 whatever years ago when he explained it to everyone present and future. Acts 8:36, Acts 2:38.
After reading messages from this site… I haven’t baptize, please give an advice here , I would be thankful … Water or without water… I have been attending church every week because my faith for Lord Jesus deep in me…
Thank you everyone and have a bless day ahead…God bless
I ran across your site while trying to figure out why the Greek word “baptizontes” was used, esp. with its meaning–to profess the name of one whose follower we become. Good points. I also like to note…nations. Is it nations or individuals? Time frame…haven’t even accepted Jesus Christ as messiah…therefore, millennial reference. It is obviously not for this dispensation with our “one baptism,” but for the nation of Israel with its “divers washings.” Will take time later to note full web. God Bless.
Sorry I’m late to the conversation. You all may want to check out this link: http://www.hebroots.com/mikvah.html Baptism is just a continuation of the Hebrew ritual washings called mikvah. There were many mikvot (pools, plural, mikvah, singular) around the Temple area, so 3,000 new converts could pass through them in a couple hours at most, saying a ritual prayer as they walked in and out of the pool. Everywhere you see baptism in your New Testament, replace it with the word mikvah and try to think like a Jew. Remember, there was no such thing as a Christian until around 325 AD. Every convert before then was known as a Messianic believer. Acts 11:26d, “. . .The disciples were called Messianics first in Antioch.”
Antioch is where they were first called Christians somewhere around 40-50 AD. Peter called us Christians around 60-70AD so not sure what you mean that believers were not called Christians until the 4th century.
1 Corinthians1:17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with eloquent words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Is Paul denying Mathews 28:19?
1 Corinthians 1:14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,…
Who did Jesus ever baptize? If water baptizm was able to cleanse from sin, what does Jesus death stand for?
Baptismal regeneration is refuted clearly in Acts 10 with the salvation and Spirit Baptism of Cornelius’ household. Water baptism came at the end not before regeneration and the infilling of the Spirit. 👍
I agree but with just a difference.
“…Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructs His apostles to go and make disciples”.
Actually, the word “make” is not in the Greek. A man cannot make a disciple. Only the Holy Spirit can. The imperative command is to “Disciple!”, such that our job is to pass the Good News all over the world — teaching — theologically, only the Holy Spirit can make a disciple who is indwelled with the Spirit, which has nothing to do with a temporal ritual. We know Jesus wanted people to be filled with the Spirit, led and engaged by the Spirit…John 16. These would be disciples who would be capable of following Him in the Spirit because we have His mind, for ex., 1 1 Cor 2:16. Judas was a disciple in appearance only.
I just want to let you know that I found what you wrote about water not being a part of the baptism described in Matt 28:19 and I totally agree. I said it and had someone arguing with me so I did a search to see if I was the only one who thought that and your website came up. I want to thank you for posting it. It’s nice to know there’s others who see the same things in scripture.
Yes! Yes! Yes! As I was writing a response about baptism I could not and would not go along with the notion that this baptism is a water immersion. Thank you for writing this!
God Bless you. I had come to this thought previously, but needed some sort of validation. Water immersion is a great way of publicly demonstrating ones faith, but there are other ways like preaching to people everyday (which I should do). Water baptism could be viewed as a legalistic perspective, which I think may provide undue spiritual comfort.
I thought this was very interesting. Now I am wondering why the nobleman in Acts 8 thought is necessary to point out water and then get into it with a complete stranger to be fully identified or why did John need to speak about the volume of water in Aenon in discussing identification.
Thank you for the confirmation of this truth. I was having difficulty accepting this truth because of my interpretation of it. To God be the glory!
I am at the moment preparing a lesson for the Assembly on why water baptism is not a pre-requisite for Salvation.
Can you advise on an A-Z teaching on this Subject?
This subject is very controversial, but all I’m concerned about is teaching only the Truth.
All I have seen so far on your site is the Mat 28:19-20 comments. Can I have a complete module on this subject?
First, Jesus never, during his ministry, baptized anyone with water. Before the day of Pentecost, Jesus told his apostles that John truly baptized with water, but, (in contrast), you will be baptized with Holy Spirit, not many days hinse.
I was baptized according to Matthews 28:19-20, the Penecostal church I have been attending tell me I need to be rebaptized. They tell me I am not saved. This causes people to flee the church because we don’t know what is right or wrong. My own feelings are I don’t need a second baptism. Your thoughts are requesting.
Sooo good! THANKS FOR THE CLARIFICATION!!😇
Jesus was baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness. John baptized with water and Jesus baptized by fire and the spirit. We are instructed by Jesus to baptize. Is is water baptism like John or is baptism like Jesus does?
Thank you for this article.
I have been questioning water baptism over the last few years. It started when a church we were attending stated they required water baptism for membership. I understand the justification for believer’s baptism by immersion over sprinkling and adult instead of infant, but am unsure if it is a commandment or just church tradition. I know what church tradition states believer’s baptism represents and it sounds reasonable and makes sense to me. I am looking for actual verses of scripture that support that belief. This is especially important to me now that I have read what the Jews believed about living water and all the divisions among denominations and religions with the disagreements about infant, adult, sprinkling, immersion, baptismal regeneration, etc.
Denominations are divided over baptisms (sometimes violently, in the past if you delve into the history). Many religions try to justify their traditions, ceremonies, or rituals, which continue to this day and make them sound reasonable by linking them back to the Bible or saying it represents or symbolizes a spiritual truth. There are many unbaptized believers and many baptized unbelievers.
Where were water baptisms mentioned beyond the Gospels and the Book of Acts as commandments to the Church?
For those that say only believer’s baptism is valid and require people that have only had an infant baptism be re-baptized, do they have a higher standard than Christ, who has already baptized true believers into His body? Have we taken church tradition, and made it a command of Christ? I really believe all the disagreements about water baptism actually take away from God’s Glory and give equal weight to water baptism being able to accomplish what only Christ’s death could have accomplished. It seems the focus of many religions has become the visible symbol and not the invisible reality of a sovereign act of God done in the heart.
I read a lot of information about Jewish purification rituals that referenced tevilah and mikvah/mikveh, as well as “living water”. Some Jews continue to provide mikvahs for various cleansings. All their purification rites do not cleanse their hearts. Those mikvahs that require living water do not hold the living water required for salvation.
I have also read this statement: “God is referred to in the Old Testament as the Hope of Israel and that the word mikveh makes use of the same root letters in Hebrew as the word for “hope” and this has served as the basis for homiletical comparison of the two concepts in both biblical and rabbinic literature. “ There are also many mikvahs that are available today that Jews can visit. There are over 400 in the United States. (http://www.mikvah.org/directory). Chabad.org states: “The primary uses of mikvah today are delineated in Jewish Law and date back to the dawn of Jewish history. They cover many elements of Jewish life. Mikvah is an integral part of conversion to Judaism. Mikvah is used, though less widely known, for the immersion of new pots, dishes, and utensils before they are used by a Jew. The mikvah concept is also the focal point of the taharah, the purification rite of a Jew before the person is laid to rest and the soul ascends on high. The manual pouring of water in a highly specific manner over the entire body of the deceased serves this purpose. Mikvah is also used by men on various occasions; with the exception of conversion, they are all customary. The most widely practiced are immersion by a groom on his wedding day and by every man before Yom Kippur. Many Chassidic men use the mikvah before each Shabbat and holiday, some even making use of mikvah each day before morning prayer (in cities with large populations of observant Jews, special mikvahs for men facilitate these customs). But the most important and general usage of mikvah is for purification by women.” (This is from http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/1541/jewish/The-Mikvah.htm). Dr. Rickard (Ari) Levitt-Sawyer (ywlnb yra, Ari ben Levi) stated: “When a Gentile becomes a convert to Judaism, it was necessary for a man to be circumcised as a sign of the covenant, and for both men and women to be ceremonially immersed in “living water” and that this tradition, called tevilah (the Hebrew word for immersion) or mikvah after the pool of water in which it performed, continues to the present in both the Orthodox and Conservative Jewish traditions. Apparently, During the period of the Second Temple [c. 537-63 B.C.] the regulations regarding conversion became fully formalized. The Rabbis fashioned the laws of conversion after the regulations of Torah relating to purification after occurrences that render a person ritually unclean. These are outlined in Leviticus 15. An offering had to be brought. A male wishing to bring such an offering had to be circumcised. Both male and female had to undergo immersion as an act of cleansing. Orthodoxy demands circumcision for males, by a Mohel [a person who has been specifically trained in the laws and technique of Milah, or circumcision] and in the presence of a rabbinical court of three. Both males and females have to undergo submersion in a mikvah [a special pool filled with “living water,” which must be in contact with the groundwater of a stream or rainwater caught in a cistern; immersion in a stream or ocean is also acceptable], also in the presence of a rabbinical court.”
I appreciate your article and also believe Matthew 28:19 is not referring to a water baptism.
The gospels contrast John’s baptism (water) with Jesus’ baptism (Holy Spirit). The disciples were baptizing people in water in the gospel of John before Jesus’ resurrection. Where was Christian baptism introduced in the Bible that set it apart from John’s baptism, proselyte baptism, Holy Spirit baptism, or even Jewish ceremonial cleansings? If Matthew 28:19 refers to water baptism, and not Holy Spirit baptism, how would the Jews be able to differentiate John’s baptism from Christian baptism? Would it look any different to them than what John was doing in the wilderness? Matthew 28:19 says “or into”. Does baptizing them “into” the name necessarily mean water?
JOHN THE BAPTIST’S BAPTISM
• John baptized with water. John said his was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins
• John said he was not the Christ
• John came baptizing in water so that Jesus would be revealed to Israel
• John bore witness that Jesus is the Son of God (He on whom the Spirit descended on and remained)
• Jesus’ authority was established at his baptism
• John said the one coming after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit
• John contrasted his baptism with the baptism that Jesus would perform
• John’s baptism took place before Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection
JESUS’ BAPTISM (THE ONE HE GIVES)
• is with the Holy Spirit spiritual “living water”
• is with fire
• gives the promise of the Father
JESUS WAS BAPTIZED TO:
• to fulfill all righteousness
• so that Jesus would be revealed to Israel
• so that John could bear witness that Jesus is the Son of God
• shows that he on whom the Spirit descends and remains is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit
Instructions from Jesus to the disciples after his resurrection appear to be these verses below, not just Matthew 28:19. Are all of these not the great commission?
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
a. Matthew 28:19 Or into
Luke 24:46-49
and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
John 21:15-17
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. ”He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
Acts 1:4-5
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Acts 10:42-43
And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”