Baptism, what does it mean?
praise_yeshua > 07-10-2017, 03:30 PM
There are very few people that approach the subject of Baptism with a real desire to understand its place and significance in Christianity. If they did, they would accept the truth of Baptism apart from adapting it to fit the various doctrines of men. Baptism is multifaceted. Its NOT a matter of being either "this" or "that". Its often both and all the above. Here are some facts concerning Baptism
1. Baptism is old. In fact, its significance can be found all the way back before God's creative acts recorded in Genesis 1.
The world was covered in water according to Genesis 1:2 and Psalm 104:5-6
ESV
Psa 104:5 He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.
Psa 104:6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
Baptism at its core represents more than just death. I represents Judgement. Not just any judgement, but Divine Judgement. The rights of the Owner over His creation.
2. In a metaphorical sense, Baptism represents cleansing.
The earliest use of the word "baptism" in the Greek language is found in the story of Naaman the leper. Who "dipped" himself seven times in the Jordan river. The "water" didn't clean Naaman no more than dipping any flesh in water really "cleans" anything thoroughly. I remember how as I child I tried to convince my mother that I had a good cleaning by just "stepping" into the shower and right out again. Needless to say. I wasn't very clean. I knew it. She knew it.....
There is no sense in denying this fact. Baptism figuratively represents cleansing. It doesn't literally make one clean according to God's standards.
3. .... add more later....