Water Baptism!

Yes is true that in the book of Acts we do see water baptisms but we also see other rituals being performed for example Paul circumcised a boy (Acts 16:3) Paul also practiced a rite of water before going into the temple (Acts 21:26) but none of them tell us that water baptism is necesary. In fact we either see this examples happened because they have received the Holy Spirit or if they water baptised before receiving the Holy Spirit; the Apostles seemed concerned for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. We have to also keep in mind that the primitive church was composed of Jews and it was hard for them to leave things of the Jewish Law behind, just like is hard for us to leave things of the world behind when we first convert or even years later. They had long discussions about this subject (Acts 15:1-32). But now we are not imposed the law including tevilah (water baptism) we have never lived under the law. We should only keep laws of morality (abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood). Because the apostles believed that He purified our hearts by faith, “He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith…..we believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they were” (Acts 15:9 and 11). We also have to keep in mind that the protagonist should always be the Holy Spirit when it says that they were baptised unless it explicitly tells us that it was in water we should never exchange the Promised baptism of the Holy Spirit for a ritual ceremony in physical water that would never have the power of regenaration and to remit our sins like only the Holy Spirit through Jesus the mediator does (Hebrews 9:15).

But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:12-17

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:1-6

In these two passages we see the believers water baptising before receiving the Holy Spirit. In Acts 8:12-17 we see that Peter and John came so that they would receive the Holy Spirit because they had only been baptised in water. In Acts 19:1-6 we see Paul questioning new believers over being baptised but not receiving the Holy Spirit. It was like Paul almost said this “So let me get this straight you got baptised but you did not receive the Holy Spirit, so what did you baptised in? They responded with John’s baptism so if you did not receive the Holy Spirit then why did you tell me you got baptised?” For Paul baptism meant receiving the Holy Spirit. John’s baptism was with water Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5 and Acts 11:16. The only important baptism is Jesus Holy Spirit baptism. We see another passage where a believer was only baptised with water (John’s baptism)

He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. Acts 18:25

The Jews that had converted brought this baptism along with them because John could not baptise them since he only baptised in Israel (Acts 13:24), many Jews still wanted to convert gentiles to Judaism (Acts 15:10). We also have the passage with the Ethiopian Eunoch.

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. Acts 8:35-37

Notice how Philip did not offer to baptise him, it was the Eunoch that asked to be baptised in water. Then Philip asked him if he had believed with all his heart and he responded yes. In Acts 15:9 we see that hearts had to be purified by faith “for he purified their hearts by faith” Philip made sure that the Eunoch had truly believed in the only one that can purify his heart, the water baptism would not save him and if it was even necesary wouldn’t Philip offer?

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. Acts 10:44-48

Then we see Peter narrating the same story Acts 11. Curiously in Peter’s narration does not mention the baptism in water and they rejoice that God had given the baptism of the Holy Spirit. If water baptism was absolutely necesary then why didn’t Peter emphasize it? Instead he emphasized the promised Holy Spirit baptism only given through Jesus Acts 1:4-5. If Cornelious and his people received the Holy Spirit without being water baptise then why is it necesary? If it was not necesary for the Holy Spirit to take possesion of Cornelious? If the Holy Spirit took possesion of him and the Holy Spirit is our only gurantee for salvation? (2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14 and 4:30). The Holy Spirit did not have any objection to posesing Cornelious and the rest because he is sufficient to clean us from sin.

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” Acts 11:14-18

Then we see a negative reference to water baptism in 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. It was dividing the church because they were choosing to follow whoever baptised them. Water baptism has divided the church through its history. Water baptism was being controversial since the very begining of the church.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Paul was even grateful for not baptising anyone else and then said that he was not sent to baptise but to preach. Personally I only belong to Jesus for that reason I only accept his baptism and none other (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5 and Acts 11:16). These are the only examples found specifically of water baptism. Believers can water baptise if they really need to have a ritual performed just like Paul performed circumcision and also pratice a water rite before going into the temple and we also have to remember Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. Its ok to do this only if we do it for the benefit of the gospel; but avoided if posible so that the Holy Spirit can be glorified even more through us and we can give glory to Him, the only one that deserves the glory for our salvation without us having to do anything. When we read the bible and read the word baptism we cannot quickly assume they are water baptisms since that would be downplaying and believing more in water baptism then in the power of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The bible says that the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our salvation.

Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 5:5

Faith comes through Hearing!

When the people HEARD this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:37-38

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who HEARD the message. Acts 10:44

Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who HEARD Paul believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8

We have to notice the word hearing in all three passages hearing is very important in the process of the Holy Spirit baptism. We have to hear to have faith.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:17

What is faith?

Faith is confidence.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1-2

Faith is unseen by fleshly eyes.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Faith is lived.

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

After we have heard and if we have faith Holy Spirit Baptism is given through faith which we cannot see with our fleshly eyes. It is not a ritual or ceremony performed with water something that we can see with our fleshly eyes. If we have faith we can too be baptised with the Holy Spirit.

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:12

In Acts 18:8 We see that the Corinthians were baptised in the Holy Spirit.

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:13

The Holy Spirit Baptism is received after we have heard consequently having faith just like in Acts 2:41; Acts 10:44 and Acts 18:8. If we live by faith that God can grant us the baptism of the Holy Spirit we will be blessed. That even without seeing a water baptism we have believed God has granted it to us if we so desire, like Peter testified.

God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Acts 15:8-9

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

God’s desire is for us to have faith in Him

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Because only through faith can we receive the Promised Holy Spirit

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Galatians 3:14

The Holy Spirit is the Promise!

The Holy Spirit is the Promise that was given in Joel and Zechariah

“And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Joel 2:28-29

On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. Zechariah 13:1

Jesus also promises the Holy Spirit in Luke

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49

Jesus tells his disciples that promise will come in Jerusalem they did not know how or precisely when. They were just told to not leave Jerusalem until the Promise of the Holy Spirit came.

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5

Then in Acts 2 they receive the promise.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4

Some people witnessing did not understand what was happening and made fun of them but Peter explains to them that the promise given in Joel was being fulfilled.

Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”… Then Peter stood up with the Eleven…let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy. Acts 2:13-19

Then Peter confirms that they were witnesing the promise and tells them that this promise is for them too.

Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. Acts 2:33
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:39

Now this promise is being anounced that only through Jesus’ resurection it was given.

“We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. Acts 13:32-33

The promise of the Holy Spirit is received through faith.

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. Romans 4:16

So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? (through faith) Galatians 3:5

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:13

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Galatians 3:14

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:12

We are children of God because of this promise.

In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. Romans 9:8

Since we have that promise we should be cleanse to be Holy

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:14-15

When we were in the world we were away from the Promise of the Holy Spirit but now we can all obtain it.

remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:12

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3:6

This promise of the Holy Spirit has made us free and is our only guarantee to salvation.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Ephesians 3:14

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15

We do not need to worry because the one who promised has been is and will be faithful.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

So what does Acts 2:38 say?

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

When Peter says to repent and baptise he is refering to being baptise in the Holy Spirit because only the Holy Spirit can give us the promise and this is clarified in Acts 1:4-5

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you Acts 1:4-5; 8

We also need to be baptise with the Holy Spirit in order to receive the promise just like the three thousand people were baptise that day.

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:39

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:41

One baptism (Ephesians 4:5) is necesary for the remision of our sins.

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance–now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15

That one baptism (Promise) is only given by Jesus Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5 and Acts 11:16.

Does John 3:5 refer to water baptism?

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5

In order to understand this verse we must look at the whole dialogue.

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” John 3:3- 4

We see that a person must be born of water and the Spirit. When it refers here to the water it refers to be being physifically born and born of the Spirit is to become a child of God. This is clarified in the following verses John 3:6-8

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:6-8

When we continue reading we see clearly that Jesus makes the distinction of being physically born and Spiritually born. Then he describes how the Spirit takes posesion. If we accepted that being born of water refered to water baptism, then we would have to accept that there should be three births and Jesus says they are born again (second time spiritually, not a third one). As humans we are born of water naturally but in order to be children of God we have to be born of the Spirit.

So in this dialogue with Nicodemus Jesus was not commanding us to water baptise he was simply telling us that we do have to be physically born and Spiritually born. When Jesus says flesh gives birth to flesh and Spirit gives birth to spirit, it refers to many verses in the bible about being born of the Spirit in order to become children of God.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:13-14

because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Romans 8:14

At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.
Galatians 4:29

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:18

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 Peter 1:23

If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.
1 John 2:29

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
1 John 3:9

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God
1 John 5:1

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:4

Being born of God is being born of Spirit because God is Spirit

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. John 4:24

Another example that being of born of water does mean physically born and not water baptism is 1 John 5:6

This is the one who came by water and blood–Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
1 John 5:7

This verse is not refering to water baptism when it says that Jesus came by water its refering that he was physically born. In this letter John was warning Christians about gnosticism (the denial of Jesus’ incarnation). In 1 John 4:2-3 It tells us that Jesus was born in the flesh.

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus (came in the flesh) is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
1 John 4:2

Jesus did come by water to be human and the Spirit does testify this.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:3-4

Jesus had to come through water in order to be human, just like we are born of water because everything born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of Spirit is spirit. We have to be born again of Spirit to see the kingdom of God.
We have been born of water therefore flesh but are we willing to be born of the Spirit in order to be Children of God?

One baptism!

There is only one baptism required that is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

one Lord, one faith, one baptism Ephesians 4:5

There is only one baptism that can make us clean from sin thus making us pure. John the Baptist explicitly told us which one it was in all four gospels and in the book of Acts.

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 3:11

I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:8

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16

And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ John 1:33

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:5

Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
Acts 11:16

There is only one baptism that is absolutely necesary and that is the one that Jesus can grant us the Holy Spirit.

But Jesus Water Baptised.

In Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22 we see the narrations that Jesus did water baptise under John the baptist. But why did Jesus baptise?

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. Matthew 3:15

We clearly see that Jesus did it to fulfill the law the same way that he allowed to be crucified.

My previous post was about Jesus fulfilling the law.

Jesus Abolished the Law!

Baptising under the argument “But Jesus water baptise shouldn’t we do it?” Is not very convicing, because he also got crucified. He also said various times take your cross and follow me Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Mark 10:21; Luke 9:23; Luke 14:27. But we do not see any Christians questioning if this passages should be taken in the literal sense or spiritually. Should we automatically take the word Baptism literally submerging in water or should we accept the real Holy Spirit baptism? Jesus water baptised because he did it for me already. Jesus was the only Jew that was able to fulfill the law.

Jesus Abolished the Law!

Since Jesus was the ONLY one able to fulfill the law he was the only one that was able to break it. This was the purpose of Jesus to come to earth to give us a way that we can be saved through him. In Matthew 5:17-18 he says that nothing will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished, and then we see that when he died on the cross he did accomplished the law making it disapear John 19:30. We also see that he fulfills different prophecies like the one in Isaiah 61:1-2 Luke 4:16-21.

He replaced Moses Law for his Law of grace and truth John 1:17. He changed Moses Law Acts 6:14 and now we are justified through him and not through Moses Law Acts 13:39. He was the end to the law Romans 10:4. He is the new mediator Romans 3:30; Galatians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24; 1 John 2:1-2. He is the new priest and as the new priest changed the law Hebrews 7:12; 22; 26.

according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence Ephesians 3:11-12

We should trust Jesus and allow him to give us the joy that he has done everything for us. We just need to accept and not add anything to the new covenant Galatians 3:15.

We are Free from the Law!

Now that we are clear that water baptism was part of the Jewish Law, should we still practice things of the Jewish Law? The Jewish Law purpose was to serve as a metaphor, example, shadow of the Spiritual reality (Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 8:5; 10:1). Let see what the bible has to say about the Jewish Law current position and if we still need to practice water baptism.

This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings (water baptisms)—external regulations applying until the time of the new order. Hebrews 9:9-10

The word βαπτισμοῖς which is baptisms appears in the greek.

In Matthew 11:13 and Luke 16:16 Tells us that the law and the prophets ended with John the Baptist.

It is clearly seen in Acts that we are not obligated to practice water baptism part of the law anymore except for laws of morality Acts 15:9; 11; 19; 20; 28 and Acts 21:25.

No one is justify by the works of the law including water batism.
Romans 3:20; 21; 22; 27; 29; 30; 31 and Galatians 3:10-27.

We should trust God because there is nothing we can do but only trust that he has created a perfect plan of salvation. We are not called to be co-redeemers of our own souls Romans 4:4-5 and Galatians 2:16 Galatians 5:4-6.

If we still live under the Jewish Law then there is no use of the New Law of faith Romans 4:14-16; Galatians 2:17; 18; 19; 21 and Hebrews 8:7.

The law only brought more sin because no one could fulfill the law Romans 5:13; 20; 21 and Romans 6:14.

We are free from the law! Romans 7:6 and Ephesians 2:9; 10; 15.

The Israelites were not able to obtain their goal but now we can! Romans 9:30-33; Romans 11:6-7 Hebrews 8:7-12

By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. Hebrews 8:13

I will just leave you with a few questions:

would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? Galatians 3:2-5

Siloam and Bethesda

We have seen that water baptism, was part of the Mosaic Law and there is further prove. We are going to be looking at two pools that the Jews used to water baptize Siloam and Bethesda. For Jews it was not a new concept, they had constructed pools designated for the ceremony of water baptism. Archeologist have found parts of these pools, they have discovered that these pools were not just symbolic inventions of the authors in the bible, they actually did exist, very close to the descriptions given in the bible. Here are some of the biblical references to the pools Siloam and Bethesda:

2 Chronicles 32:30; 2 Kings 18:17; 2 Kings 20:20; Nehemiah 3:15; Isaiah 7:3; Isaiah 8:6-7; Isaiah 22:9-11; Isaiah 36:2; John 5:1-9; John 9:7-11

Bethesda borrowed from jesusbranded.org

From the accounts in John we can also see that this pools were not limited only to the priest they were open to the public (John 5:3 and John 9:7). Water baptism was a very important part of the Jewish Law, that they had facilities for the  practice of these ceremonies in ancient times.

I will not be going into the details of the pools but if you want to learn more here is a link: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-pool-of-siloam.htm

Siloam borrowed from shu.edu

John the Baptist Baptism!

A voice cries in the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD make straight in the desert a highway for our God”
Isaiah 40:3

I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty.
Malachi 3:1

The messenger that fulfilled this prophecy was John the Baptist (Matthew 3:3; 11:10-14; 17:10-13; Mark 1:1-4; Luke 3:3-5 and John 1:6-8; 1:19-23). When John the Baptist appeared on the scene in the Jordan River (John 10:40) there were multitudes that came down from Jerusalem and Judea (Matthew 3:1; 3:5-6 and Mark 1:5) John only anounced and baptised with water preparing the way and telling the Jews about Jesus (John 10:41-42). Since we have seen that water baptism was part of the Mosaic law this act was not unusual for them. If Jews had not seen water baptism before they would have been skeptical about John’s baptism and in fact some of them were, not about the water baptism itself but about the purification rules (John 3:25-26). John was water baptizing among a Jewish community that was coming out because they knew about a Messiah. It wasn’t the Greeks or the Romans, nor any other gentile nation, because no other nation had been promised a messiah, Israel was the chosen nation that waited for the messiah.

But one would wonder if the Jews had known about water baptism then why did they need John to just repeat something that they were use to? John’s water baptism was special, he was preparing the way for the messiah, it was like no other water baptism seen before. He was preparing the hearts of the Jews to be ready to welcome the long awaited messiah. John the Baptist baptism was radical in the sense that he was calling Jews to become Jews because they took that decision in their hearts not to just be Jews because they were born into a culture with a religion, (as we Friends should make the distinction between a convinced Friend and a birthright Friend). Remember the comparison of Jerusalem being a wife (Ezequiel 16), well John’s baptism was to prepare the bride (Jews) for the groom (Jesus). Just like a Jewish bride goes through the baptism before her wedding day and this water immersion (tevilah) is special and like no other, John’s baptism was the same in the sense that it was unique. This was a call to preparation for the new covenant. God wanted His people to repent to comeback to Him (teshuvah) to start a new life with Him. This baptism was for a change of heart, the honest Jew baptizing recognized that it was a symbol of them turning their heart to God and away from wickedness, for that reason we see John condemning the Pharisees and Sadducees for coming to him without repenting (Matthew 3:7-9; 21:32; Luke 3:7-8; 7:30). Unfortunately many did not prepare for the coming of the messiah and they did not recognized him when He came to them (John 5:43; Acts 13:46-47) Later on we see that Jesus was discussing with Pharisees that knew the law well but they had forgotten the most important part of the law, which was the love of God (Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42).

The water baptism for repentance was preached in Israel (Acts 13:24) because John’s water baptism was for the Jews to prepare for the New Covenant, not for the gentiles we have been given The Holy Spirit Baptism (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8;Luke 3:16; John 1:5; Acts 1:5 and Acts 11:16). We want Jesus baptism!