Baptism at its Roots

Throughout many cultures, water is viewed as a source of purity.

Ritual washings are commonplace in many ancient belief systems, with their own list of requirements and ceremonies depending on the circumstance. Some requirements demanded the use of ‘living water’, which to them was a natural spring, river or stream. It wasn’t unheard of for such places to be viewed as sacred to the people.

Perhaps one of the most interesting expressions of this was the Jewish practice of Tvilah, a form of purification involving full immersion. Once significant application of Tvilah was for young men entering the priesthood. When the priest came of age to serve (30 years old), one of the last requirements to prepare himself for his role was a public washing before an assembly of witnesses. This public display signified several things:

1. He has left his past life behind. That person is gone. He is cleansed from that life and is now ready to serve as a man of God.

2. He is ceremonially clean before God and the people, and can now serve as part of the priesthood.

3. Upon confirmation, he is given priestly garments, or a mantle, identifying him as a priest before all who are gathered. He now has the authority to operate in God’s name, as God’s mouthpiece, to lead and guide the people.

Why is this important? I'm glad you asked!

To understand the importance of baptism’s roots and how it stems from water purification, you have to look at John the Baptist, then to Jesus Himself. I mention John first because of his background (You can read more about that in Luke Chapter 1).

John’s father was a respected priest by the name of Zachariah. His mother was also a descendant of Aaron, Moses’ brother. Now what this means is they were both Levites, and it was the Levites’ responsibility to lead the people in worshiping Adonai.

John’s upbringing would have been steeped in the teachings of the Torah and all Jewish tradition. The expectation would be for him to become a priest like his father. With those teachings, would come knowledge of Tvilah and all the Jewish water purification practices.

Luke even speaks of how the Spirit was with him

"And the child grew and became strong in spirit." - Luke 1:80

He had a deep understanding of what he was taught.

So when John began baptizing people, he was applying what he knew as he was led. He was preaching repentance and the washing away of sin through the ritual practices he learned for most of his life.

For John, baptism was about the repentance and cleansing of sin, according to the law. Something the Jewish people understood very well through the many teachings available to them.

What was most interesting is that he didn’t discriminate.

Anyone could come.

And as I think about it, this meant the worst of the worst. Those who were social outcasts to the culture. People who were desperate to find forgiveness.

Then Jesus steps up. John recognizes him immediately. Because again, he knows the scriptures. When Jesus asks to be baptized, John instead insists that Jesus baptize him

"But John tried to deter him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.' Then John consented." - Matthew 3:14-15

So again, for John, baptism was about the cleansing of sin. Since he knew who Jesus was, being baptized by Jesus meant his sin truly could be cleansed. It was why he was so insistent.

He couldn’t understand why Jesus would ask such a thing because he was only seeing it from one perspective.

For Jesus, baptism was about establishing a new priesthood.

If he was to be the example, he had to follow the precepts laid out by God the Father to the Levites according to the law. It was a way of legitimizing him and to establish the hierarchy of authority that would later be granted to the disciples and new believers after he was gone. Peter even speaks of this, calling us a ‘Royal Priesthood’.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." - 1 Peter 2:9

By establishing a new priesthood, one that carried with it proper authority as Adam had in the beginning before The Fall, it granted everyone access that was previously reserved to a select few. The state of things beforehand was only a shadow insufficient to redeem mankind.

When he was baptized, Jesus became the new High Priest.

His mantle was the Spirit, the dove that came down from Heaven. It was his anointing. Through baptism, he established a new precedent and a new priesthood, so that when the time came for the cross, everything would be fulfilled in its natural order to cement that authority for eternity.

John's baptism was the archetype, a foreshadowing to prepare the hearts and minds of those who would listen. He came to prepare the way.

Jesus’ baptism was the completion of all that had come before. It was the last gear in the machine before God could press the start button.

Why does this matter today? Again, so glad you asked.

This matters because when we accept Christ, we are saved and sealed. Our eternal destination is secured. But, to become fully part of the priesthood, we have to follow Christ’s example. Peter was very clear on this:

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” - Acts 2:38.

It's as if you were a refugee from an oppressive regime. You were in darkness, without benefits or many basic rights. You were a captive of that government.

But when you escaped, you stepped into a nation of light.

A place where you can fully receive the benefits the land has to offer. You are no longer oppressed. Your potential was limited by others.

You are now free.

Salvation sets you free. Baptism gives you the ability to receive the full benefits of the Spirit. It grants you the mantle and authority to operate as a priest in God’s kingdom.