We are going to continue our discussion on Baptism and how we can relate it to the teachings of Jesus. Last week we introduced the word Mikvah it is a ritual bath designed for the purpose of ritual immersion in Judaism. The word "Mikvah", as used in the Hebrew Bible, literally means a "collection" generally, a collection of water as defined by Wikipedia.
As we pointed out last week this was the ritual John the Baptist would have been performing. A Mikvah pool is a specially crafted and designed pool used to perform a spiritual cleansing, although they are now performed in pools, any body of water, such as a lake stream or flowing water can be used to perform the Mikvah cleansing. Starting with the Tabernacle and following through the Temple eras it was a requirement for any Jewish person to undergo a Mikvah before he/she could enter onto the Temple grounds, and no the baths outside the Temple were not used to perform this those baths and pools were part of the cleaning process prior to going through the Mikvah process.
Baptism (from Greek baptizo: "immersing", "performing ablutions", i.e., "washing")[1] is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which one is admitted to membership of the Christian Church as defined by Wikipedia. As we pointed out last week if one wants to convert to Judaism that person is required to go through the Mikvah or immersion process.
This is a quote from and article found on Chabad.org site written by Rivkah Solonim. “In many ways mikvah is the threshold separating the unholy from the holy, but it is even more. Simply put, immersion in a mikvah signals a change in status -- more correctly, an elevation in status. Its unparalleled function lies in its power of transformation, its ability to effect metamorphosis.”
Do these words look familiar to any of you? Sounds like what happened to Jesus after being Baptized by John. Elevated just prior to entering the desert for 40 days to be confronted by Satin
Ok so I’m sure by know you are wondering what is the point here, so Jewish people call it a Mikvah, Christians call it Baptism, our point is that although Christians view it differently than their Jewish counter parts, Jesus does not, for us Jesus’ view is what it was meant to the Jewish people, it was a reconnection or rededication to God the Father Almighty in a ritual cleansing of ones Soul in order to accept the Torah and the Laws as found in the 5 Books of Moses.
Again we call on these verses from Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus himself confirms that the Mitzvoth of Torah will still be in effect long after his death. In verse 20 he is expressing to those listening that a persons that expects to enter the Kingdom of Heaven better be a person who will follow the Torah with a greater zeal then that of a Scribe or a Pharisee.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
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