Jane, actually water baptism started in the old testament. Do a word search un Exodis for water.
Ex. 30:
"17 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.
19 For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:
20 When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:
21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations."
This was a law of the priests brought down through the ages. There is much more teaching on this and it falls under the law of Judiasm which our Lord Jesus was a minister of to His people during His time on earth. Paul says Jesus is glorified and we know Him no longer after the flesh. Under this dispensation of Grace, we are only to have one baptism; The baptism of the Holy Spirit. You can subscribe to water baptism if you like, but it is a commandment of the Davidic covenic.
This is more proof positive.
Mat. 3:
"11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
God bless,
James |
