Musing – What does it mean to be Baptized?

 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)