October 17, 2014......The Teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. First-Century Community and Doctrinal Issues. Ive already written about the first two doctrines of that early community: (1) Repentance from Dead Works and (2) Faith Toward God. The third one is: (3) Baptisms (Plural). Weve always understood that Baptisms were never to be considered a magic show with some mystical transformation occurring upon completion of the Ritual Washing. The symbolism associated with Baptisms is that associated with ETERNAL LIFE. To undergo such a ritual would be a testimonial to those in attendance that an ETERNAL COMMITMENT had been made and ones LIFE was totally involved in this ETERNAL COMMITMENT. In the earlier times one would often submit to the Baptism or Immersion on a weekly basis. Later groups adopted the One-Time Baptism practice, which is observed in our modern-day era. This Water Baptism was a symbol of the receiving of The Holy Spirit as proof of having been adopted into the family, Spiritually. This COMMITMENT, CEREMONIAL WASHING and WITNESSES combined to bear testimonial to a dedication to the transformation from physical to spiritual. The symbolism also pointed to the Resurrection, Rebirth Spiritually and a current Commitment to a new life. The original practice required the individual to stand in flowing water, chest high, and while others observed he or she would assume a fetal position lowering the upper portion of the body forward into the fetal position as the legs were drawn up toward the chest. This position would mimic the position an unborn child would be expected to assume within the womb. The one participating in the Immersion would repeat the fetal position three (3) times while verbally expressing his or her commitment to the New Life. No one would be permitted to touch the one being immersed, during the event, because the Commitment Ceremony was to be a contract between the individual and God. Later OIL would be applied according to specifications as a symbol for receiving ETERNAL LIFE. Your brother in Life, Steven.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 05:14:13 +0000
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