Where did Baptism come from?

Answer 1

A form of Baptism dates from pre Christian times when the Jews would ceremonially wash newcomers to Israel ('proselytes'), and they practised a form of ceremonial washing called 'Mikvah' although few Jews would call this ''baptism" because of baptism's Christian connection. Baptism as we know it, however, dated from John the Baptist whom Christians believe was the prophet sent to proclaim that Jesus, as the Messiah, would come, as the Gospel stories confirm. John baptised in the river Jordan, calling for repentance and turning to God, but there is no mention of the manner in which he baptised people - either by pouring water over them or by full immersion. The confusion is furthermore compounded by the word for 'baptism' in the Greek New Testament. This particular word can, in certain contexts, suggest 'dunking' fully in the water and it is this link that many believe is the authoritative reference that baptism should be by full immersion. However, in very early Christian art, which reflected actual Christian practice, just a hundred or two years after Jesus, baptism is shown by annointing the head of the person with water. Thus, two schools of thought emerged during thhe early centuries of the church - full immersion (suggested by an interpretation of one word of scripture), and by annointing (as actually practised by the early church). Some denominations, notably the Baptists, picked up on full immersion baptism and accept it as one of their central practices. Some other Christian denominations prefer annointing. Some only practice adult baptism, whilst others, notably the Catholic, Methodist and Anglican churches, practice infant baptism, and a further ceremony of confirmation (or 'full membershp') when the chiild is able to speak for him/herself. As to which is 'correct' I believe that this is an irrelevance. There are websites from Christian churches (!) that claim that unless baptism is by full immersion it is not valid, and that person is therefore damned. There are other views from so-called Christians that claim that unless you are baptised into their particular church or set of doctrines you are also damned to hell. To illustrate the absurdity of some of the beliefs surrounding baptism, the practice of infant baptism in the Catholic church became so rigid that the belief was that if a child died before it had the chance to be baptised it would not be able to go to heaven because it was not baptised into their faith. So 'limbo' - a sort of second-class heaven for non baptised babies - was created by the church to accommodate this anomaly - which just added more grief to already grieving parents. Sadly, the Church worldwide continue to argue about just 'who is right' - just as the pharisees and saduccees did during the time of Jesus, much to His annoyance and condemnation of them. What is important is not whether the person to be baptised is annointed or fully immersed. This is irrelevant. As Jesus said, it is not what happens on the outside or for show that is important, what is important is the content of the person's heart. Baptism is about repentance and a new start, turning away from the devil and turning towards God, and the water is simply a symbol of this cleansing and new start - it is not the be all and end all of the sacrament. The sooner the fundamentalist churches realise that their way might, because of their hardness of heart, actually not be the 'right' way, the sooner Satan will be thwarted. As it stands at present, he is having a field day watching the church tear itself apart over pedantic irrelevancies.

Answer 2

Baptism is a simple act that one goes through to show God that they have repented of their sins and wish to belong to the fold (Church). They enter the water as unclean but come forth being washed clean of all their sins. They are reborn so to speak as a new babe being innocent. It is symbolic but also a requirement to see if the person is willing to do the simple things that are required of them.

Answer 3

God. John the Baptist

Mark 1:4

And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
God. John the Baptist, a voice in the wilderness first said: repent, be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.

Mark 1:4

And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
The Bible