Acts 2:23, Be baptized. (Also see notes at Matt 28:19.) The term baptism in Hebrew is tevilah meaning “immersion,” which occurs at a mikveh meaning “a gathering of waters.” For those coming from a Christian background, baptism is something that occurs at the beginning of a believer’s spiritual walk and involves baptism (immersion) in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom 6:3–6; 1 Cor 15:29; Gal 3:27; Eph 4:5; Col 2:12; 1 Pet 3:21). Yet Paul the apostle talks of baptisms (plural) in Heb 6:2. What are these other baptisms? Evidently, in biblical thought immersion for the remission of sins is but one of many such ritual immersions.
Indeed, in the Testimony of Yeshua we not only read about baptism for the remission of sins, but the baptism of repentance of John the Baptist (Acts 1:5; 10:37; 13:24; 19:4), baptism (immersion) of the Set-Apart Spirit (Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5; 8:16; 11:16), and baptism with fire (Matt 3:11; Luke 3:16). Here we see the four types of immersions spoken of in the Testimony of Yeshua.
The concept of ritual immersion for a variety of reasons stems from commands in the Torah relating to ceremonial washings signifying spiritual and physical cleansing (Lev 14:1–4, 7, 9; Exod 19:10; Lev 8:6; 15:5, 8, 10–13, 16–18, 21; 16:4).
Moreover, the prophet Ezekiel speaks of YHVH sprinkling his people to cleanse them from their impurities, which is a picture of the new spiritual life of which immersion is e a type (Ezek 36:25).
In my opinion, the “classic” definition of baptism is going under the water (death) and re-emerging (resurrection), as the dry land emerged from the seas on the third day of creation. This is identical to Israel’s exodus from Egypt and why it is said “they were all baptized unto Moses at the sea”.
The result is a re-creation or a New Creation.
I think that “water” baptism in the OT “foreshadowed” OR is a “type” of baptism of the “Set-Apart Spirit” by Yeshua in the NT, and that baptism symbolizes BOTH a “Re-Creation or New Creation” AND “Resurrection”.
The dry land emerging from the seas on THE THIRD DAY of creation also symbolizes resurrection, hence the resurrection of Yeshua on THE THIRD DAY.
From Nathan——The info below is good, so I let it come through, but I don’t appreciate people using my blog to promote their own blog. This goes against the rules of my blog, and it is just plain disrespectful and a cheesy thing to do. It demonstrates ulterior motives and agendas. This is not accepted here. The righteous and ethical thing to do is to first ask permission if you can promote your blog, website, etc. on someone else’s site. Please don’t just assume. Thank you.
GOD’S TERMS FOR PARDON AFTER THE RESURRECTION BY STEVE FINNELL
The book of Acts gives the thirty year account of the church of Jesus Christ after the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus said, after His resurrection. (Luke 24:47 “and repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.NKJV)
The apostle Peter preached the first sermon on the Day of Pentecost; at Jerusalem. About three thousand were obedient to God’s terms for pardon on that day.
THE SERMON
1. Peter preached Jesus a miracle worker.(Acts 2:22) Not one person denied that fact.
2. Peter preached that Jesus was crucified and that God raised Him from the dead.(Acts 2:23-34)
3. Peter proclaimed Jesus as both Lord and Christ, whom they had crucified. (Acts 2:36) Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do do”?NKJV
Not one infant or toddler was cut to the heart, and asked what shall we do.[NOTE: Infants and toddlers are not guilty of sin]
4. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NKJV)
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. )NASB)
Acts 2:38 Peter replied: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NIV 1973)
Peter said “So your sins may be forgiven.” He did not say, so you can be forgiven for Adam’s sin.
Peter did not say repent and be baptized for the guilt of Adam’s sin.
Peter did not tell unbelieving infants to repent and be baptized.
Not one convert said, “We do not have to be immersed in water, because the thief on the cross was not baptized and he was saved.”
Peter did not say, “You were saved the minute you believed, however, you need to be baptized as a testimony of your faith.”
Peter did not say, “If you are one of those whom God chose for salvation, then repent and be baptized.”
Peter did not say, “All of you who reject Jesus, have been individually chosen by God to burn in hell.”
Peter did not say, “Be baptized because your sins have already been forgiven.”
Not a single person said, “Moses did not believe Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and he was saved, therefore, we and our non believing infant children can have our sins forgiven without believing that God raised Jesus from the dead.”
Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.(NKJV)
Who was added to the church on the Day of Pentecost? Those who believed Peter’s preaching and were baptized.
No infants nor toddlers believed Peter’s preaching, nor were they baptized.
If there were those who did not believe Peter’s preaching about about baptism for the forgiveness of sins, then they were not added to the church. Only those who received Peter’s word were added to the church.( Acts 2:41,47)
[the author’s blog site edited out]