The ordinance
of baptism was for the Jews, how can I explain that? Is there a place in the
Old Testament that they speak of that baptism?
Yes, Israel’s water baptism began in the Old
Testament! They were created by God to be his kingdom of priests.
Exodus
19:6
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of
priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto
the children of Israel.
One of the main ordinances for priests [in times past] was being washed with water to
ceremonially cleanse them (water baptize) in order to serve the Lord.
Exodus
29:4
And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring
unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with
water.
One day [in the ages to come] it will be true for the entire nation [as the entire
nation will then be a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9)].
Ezekiel
36:25
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you,
and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will
I cleanse you.
So, although our Lord Jesus Christ had no sin to be
cleaned from, He submitted to John’s baptism because He was a member of the nation
of Israel’s future Priesthood (as Israel’s
High Priest (Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 4:14)) to the Gentiles.
Luke
3:21
Now when all the people (of Israel) were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and
praying, the heaven was opened,
Matthew
3:14-15
But John forbad him, saying, I have need
to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto
him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all
righteousness (what the Old Testament told them to
do). Then he
suffered him.
Water Baptism was not for the Gentiles (until after the Kingdom comes: Matthew
28:19-20), it was only for Israel,
who will be the Priest of God to the gentiles.
Acts
2:38
Then Peter said unto them (ye men of Judaea, all that dwell at Jerusalem, and Israel (Acts
2:14,22), Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost.
Acts
13:24
When John had first preached before his coming the
baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Acts
19:4
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with
the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people (of Israel), that they (Israel) should believe on him
which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Peter again tells Israel that they are a kingdom of
Priests, and so does John.
1 Peter 2:5
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a
spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the
praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Revelation
1:6
And hath made us kings and priests unto
God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation
5:10
And hast made us unto our God kings and
priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Revelation
20:6
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in
the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall
be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Lastly, our Apostle Paul says that there is only one baptism for today for the Body of
Christ. And it is not water, it is of
the Spirit.
Ephesians
4:5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into
one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have
been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Hopefully this helps!
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