To: Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Subject: HF021 - Bodies Washed With Pure Water
Date sent: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 15:44:17 -0500
Hebraics,
Bible study HF021 - 'Bodies Washed With Pure Water' has its
focus on water baptism.
In approaching this study we must do several things. One - Set
aside any preconceived notions on what we think water baptism is
about. Two - Get back to the Hebraic background for Christian
water baptism. Three - See how the early Christians viewed
baptism before the council of Nicea in 325 ad. Four - Stay with
Scriptural proof texts for the study.
We begin with a reading from Hebrews 10:22, where it says, "Let
us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with
pure water."
When the writer speaks of our 'bodies washed with pure water,' this
was a Hebraic expression for water baptism.
Notice the writer first draws attention to the heart being sprinkled clean
from an evil conscience. The inference here is to the application of the
sprinkled blood of Jesus upon the repentant sinner. Peter speaks of this
in saying, "By the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ
and be sprinkled by His blood." (1Pet1:2 in part.)
In our initial Scripture reading the background for the washing of the
body with pure water is the tabernacle plan. In approaching the holy tent,
you must first come to the altar of the blood sacrifice. Then you came to
the laver of washing. Then you were able to enter the tent of communion.
In our conversion experience the Holy Spirit first brings us to the blood
and then to the water and then into full communion with Christ. (The Holy
Spirit is involved in the full work of sanctification and conversion.)
For some additional background let me take a moment to draw on
the ancient Jewish ritual of the proselyte baptism. This is very
much in line with Christian baptism. In the law of the proselyte
desiring to be joined to Israel, three things were required; a
sacrifice at the temple, circumcision, and then water baptism.
Lightfoot gives this explanation: "As soon as he grows whole of the
wound of circumcision, they bring him to Baptism, and being
placed in the water they again instruct him in some weightier and
in some lighter commands of the Law. Which being heard, he
plunges himself and comes up, and, behold, is is an Israelite in all
things." The proselyte was not a completed Israelite until his or her body
had been washed by full immersion.
Paul explains this as the old man (including the old master) being
cut off and put away, and a newly created life now being presented.
Early Christian baptism was very similar to the Jewish proselyte
baptism. The sacrifice was Jesus Christ, circumcision was of the
heart, and water baptism was the cutting off of the old life.
Baptism was always a full immersion. Lightfoot adds; "Every
person baptized must dip his whole body, now striped and made
naked, at one dipping." He went on to say, "Wheresoever in the
Law washing of the body or garments is mentioned, it means
nothing less that the washing of the whole body."
Ebersheim says that women were attended by their own sex and
the rabbis stood outside the door.
The point is that for the Jews and early Christians, baptism was
always a full washing of the body. And this issue of full immersion
continues today in the Greek Church. Wherever the Greek Church
is found in the world today, baptism is full immersion. This has
been an unbroken practice from the early Jewish Christians.
[Pouring water on a candidate began to make an appearance in the
2nd century and thereafter.]
The early Christian writers show that immersion was employed in
baptism. Barnabas is an example. He says, "We go down into the
water full of sins and filth, and we come up bearing fruit in the
heart." Sounds very similar to what Ananias said to Paul; "Now,
why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your
sins, calling on His name." (Acts22:16)
To the early Christians, water baptism related to the cutting the
covenant, or cutting off the old master, or cutting off the old life.
Because of this water baptism was not a thing to be toyed with. A careful
reading of the Acts of the Apostles will show that a great emphasis was
placed on water baptism.
In Acts, while people could be born again before water baptism, the
act of water baptism was still made an issue of immediate
importance. The question is why? There must be a reason that is
not always understood today. For many today, water baptism has
almost been nullified in importance. I believe water baptism is one
of the most misunderstood doctrines of the Christian experience.
Let me share an example. Paul used the issue of Israel crossing
the Red Sea in regard to baptism. He said, "Our fathers were all
under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were
baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea." (1Co10:1,2) Here
we begin to see the issue of water baptism.
Let's go back to Egypt. Remember the judgements of God? Do you
recall the purpose of the blood being applied to the homes? The
blood singled out and protected the Hebrew peoples from the
judgements of God. How does this fit our experience? It is the
blood of Jesus that saves us from the judgement of God.
Paul said, "Much more then, having been justified by His blood, we
shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him." (Rom5:9) What
the blood did was to reconcile us to God. We now have peace
because of the blood.
Follow me here - Now while the blood on the doors of the Hebrew
homes saved them from God's judgement, why did it not protect
them from Pharaoh trying to keep them in slavery? Do you recall
how that Pharaoh chased after them up to the Red Sea?
The reason Pharaoh kept after them was because they were still in
his domain, or jurisdiction. He was their old master and he had no
intention of letting them go. What happened at the Red Sea? The
old master was cut off. The Hebrew nation took up a new life on the
other side. They were now under a new master.
There is an old song that says, "The water, spirit, and the blood,
agree if we but understood, in making sinners pure and good, and
take their sins away." John tells us the blood, the water, and the
Spirit are all involved in the outworking of our salvation. (1John5:6)
There are many other things to be said concerning water baptism,
but I'll leave off the study at this point for the purpose of questions
and discussion. Think your responses through. Ask your questions and
present your discussion in an intelligent manner. Do not be afraid to ask
questions. There is no such thing as a dumb question. Every question has a
right to be answered.
With this in mind, I ask you to remember the educational purpose
of this forum. Remain with the Scriptures and be considerate of the
feelings of others. Do not make derogatory remarks against any
Christian group.
The Lord bless you.
Buddy
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin, HF Host
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org