Hebraic
Musing – What does it mean to be Baptized?
Webster’s non-Christian
definition of Baptism is “an act, experience, or ordeal by which one is
purified, sanctified, initiated, or named”.
The term "baptism" comes from the Greek word “baptizo”,
meaning to plunge, immerse, wash or submerge in water. What are some of the Baptisms in the Bible? What
was the first Baptism?
Was Creation
of the earth the first baptism? The
land came up out of the water cowering the earth. The land that was birthed was holy land; the first
temple or place where people could meet and worship Elohim.
But Man fell,
walked away from God’s presence and the earth became corrupted by the “sons of
God”. Man became so corrupt under that self-governance
that God sent the Noahic Flood as a baptism of death and a renewal to
life. Man was reborn and governed
by the Noahic covenant.
Then came the Abrahamic
covenant where God established his will to build a people who are still
wretched, idolaters and wanderer until they became captivated and became slaves
to sin. They were baptized from sin into
a covenant called the Mosaic covenant with the baptism of
the Red Sea crossing. “They
were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” 1 Cor.10:2 God took
a people through the waters of the Red Sea as a people who are to represent Him
to the world.
The baptism
of Naaman in 2 Kings 5, He was a
valiant warrior, captain of the Syrian army, who had leprosy when he came to
Elijah the prophet. He was told by
Elisha to go wash/baptize in the Jordan seven times, which he did
and he was healed! In 2 Kings 5:17 Naaman
requested some soil to take home with him; thus taking a piece of God’s land as
a throne room so he could worship Yahweh in his home. (A pattern of missions.) and this is also
foretelling that the gospel of forgiveness is available to gentiles. This was a baptism of healing and salvation
in the Old Testament.
We are familiar
with the Baptism of John, administered by John the Baptist in the
Jordan River. This baptism called for confession
of sins and repentance. It was preparing
the people for the coming of Jesus’ ministry by providing a spiritual cleansing
and a readiness of a new temple for God’s kingdom; the focus changed from worshipping
God in a man-made temple in Jerusalem to worshipping a temple that is to be man. God’s residence changed from a stone
structure in Jerusalem to the hearts of His children all over the world!!!
This change in
God’s residence is celebrated by the Baptism of repentance for the
believers or the Christian Water Baptism commanded by
Jesus in Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” This baptism involves immersion in water to
signify a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and
resurrection. It represents cleansing,
renewal, and entry into the covenant community — God’s process of moving into
you and me to make us His dwelling place.
God’s temple was to be in man; and continues to be in man to this
day.
Then the baptism
of the Holy Spirit was God’s evidence of His dwelling presence in His
new creatures that now serve as temples where God’s presence is available to
work all sorts of miracles. He empowers
believers for service and godly living, as seen at Pentecost (Acts 1:5, Acts
2:4). It signifies spiritual
transformation and the indwelling of God’s Spirit.
Old
Testament sprinklings and washings were not enough. “They are only a matter of food and drink
and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of
the new order.” Heb. 9:10
Points to ponder
Does a baptism require full immersion?
Why?
After your baptism, what changed?
Where was Jesus?
“Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through
baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have
been united with him like this in his death, we will
certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.”
Romans 6:3-5 NIV
Yosef a.k.a. Joe Brusherd September
29, 2026
Author: “Hebraic
Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage” Weekly “Hebraic Musings” www.InsightsByYosef.com
Note
–
Inspired by my son Joseph’s message.
More theological
themes about Baptisms across history and denominations:
- Purification and repentance: Core symbolism
from Jewish antecedents persists.
- Identification with Christ: Baptism
parallels Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3–5).
- Initiation into Community: Public,
communal act embedding the believer into the body of Christ.
- Conveyance of Grace: Sacramental (Catholic/Orthodox)
vs. symbolic testimony (Anabaptist/Baptist).
- Original Sin and Infant Baptism:
Prominent in Western tradition; debated in other branches.
Joseph’s
notes
The very first
baptism, the creation of the earth and the land came up out of the water.
The land that was
birthed was the holy land; where Yahweh established his first
temple. The garden was his throne room. His presence with
man on the new creation called earth.
Man fell, walked
away from that presence and the earth became corrupted by the “sons of God” who
had sex with the daughters of men. And that’s the start of the
demigods called nephilium. And then man became so corrupt under that governance
that the flood was sent to destroy the earth and all its inhabitants to start
over. A baptisms of death and renewal to life, a repentance from the throne of
the sons of god being taken back by Yahweh, and after its rebirth is now under
the governance of the Noahic covenant.
Then follows the
Abrahamic covenant. Where God establishes his will to build a people
who are still wretched, idolaters and wandering until they became captivated to
the slavery of sin. Then they were delivered from sin and baptized
into a covenant called the mosaic covenant that commenced with the baptism of
the Red Sea crossing. God pulling them up out of the waters a people
to whom he would use to represent himself to the world.
The baptism of
Naaum who was a captain of the Syrian army. Who was with leprosy
when he came to Elijah the prophet. He was told to go wash/baptize
in the Jordan seven times. He was healed! He requested
dirt, soil, earth, terra firma to take home with him to take a piece of Gods
land, temple, throne room so he could worship Yahweh in his home. (A
pattern of missions.) a foretell of the gospel of forgiveness being given to
the gentiles. The baptism of healing/salvation in the Old
Testament.
The. We see the
baptism of John, also known as a baptism of repentance, repentance is change
specifically a 180 degree change, Jesus made 180 degree change from
all thing must come through the temple made by men in Jerusalem. He then
changed it to himself! God’s temple was to be in man. And in man the
temple continues to this day. Then there is the baptism of the
believers of repentance of dead works with compliance to the traditional temple
to faith in Jesus(God)! Where in God inaugurates the process of
moving into you and me to make us his dwelling place. Then the
baptism of the Holy Spirit, was his evidence of his dwelling presence in his
new creatures that double as temples. Where his presence does
inclined to work all sorts of miracles. .
Googled:
Baptism of Moses -
This baptism refers to the Israelites’ passage through the Red Sea under Moses’
leadership, described in 1 Corinthians 10:1-2. It symbolizes identification
with God’s deliverance and covenant, rather than a literal water immersion,
highlighting dependence on God’s guidance and protection
Baptism of John --
Baptism of Jesus -
Jesus Himself was baptized by John (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11),
demonstrating His identification with humanity and fulfilling righteousness.
The Holy Spirit descended upon Him, affirming His divine authority and mission
Baptism in the
Holy Spirit - This baptism empowers believers for service and godly living, as
seen at Pentecost (Acts 1:5, Acts 2:4). It signifies spiritual transformation
and the indwelling of God’s Spirit
Baptism of Fire - Mentioned
in passages like Matthew 3:11, this baptism represents purification and
judgment, refining believers and separating righteousness from sin
Baptism for the
Dead - Referenced in 1 Corinthians 15:29, this baptism is enigmatic and was
practiced by some early Christians. It points to God’s work concerning life,
death, and resurrection, though interpretations vary
Israel’s
ceremonial cleansings
These cleansing
rituals were required under the Mosaic Law for the cleansing of the people.
(Num 19:13; Lev 11:25; Exo 19:14; Exo 30:17-21; Heb 9:10) Levitical priesthood baptisms These washings were required in order to
become a priest under the Law of Moses.
(Exo 29:4; Lev 8:6; Num 8:7)
