What is the origin of Baptism?

In the Gospels we find John the Baptist baptizing people in the Jordan River. But where did the concept of Baptism originate? Was this a command from God that we are not told about? Did John develop the concept of Baptism? Was baptism being done before the New Testament? Why was John baptizing people in the Jordan River? Because the Bible is silent on these issues, Churches have created their own doctrines concerning baptism.

EDIT 12/16/17: Thanks to Julie who emailed me and mentioned that the Greek word βαπτίζω (baptizo, #907) comes from the root word βάπτω (bapto, #911) and means to submerge. "Buried with him in baptism..." (Romans 6:3, 4, 5 and Colossians 2:12).

EDIT 12/16/17: David emailed me the following... The word ’baptism’ and its variations are based on Strong's number 907. #908 is NOT the word used in 1 Cor. #907 baptizo (Greek) (bap-tid’-zo); from a derivative of #911; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N. T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: translated in the KJV-- Baptist, baptize, wash. #911 bapto (bap’-to); a primary verb; to overwhelm, i.e. cover wholly with a fluid; in the N. T. only in a qualified or specific sense, i.e. (literally) to moisten, or (by implication) to stain (as with dye): translated in the KJV-- dip.

[annvogelpohl]

I am glad you are still keeping up this channel!

[yongrich]

I always wondered about baptism, this video answers allot of questions. thanks for the insight. Shalom

[davidbalicki]

Thanks Jeff for posting this teaching. It was great. I plan to use most of it in my research project on baptism.

[kerriemckiness]

GOD has been good to you. How blessed you are, and how blessed we are. I get to share what the LORD has given to you. Thank you

[MsTree]

Thank you! So wonderful to gain understanding of the times of Jesus and John. And, how baptisms eventually enter into the New Testament.

[marceloribeirosimoes]

WOW!
Really beautiful!!!
Thank you, Jeff...

[kingsway]

Jeff I love your work because it's MINUS THE DRAMA! Thank you

[curtis-thebicentennialist]

Good explanation. We must also understand that 'baptise' has more than one meaning. It also means "to be immersed into the knowledge/belief in something."

[aquillafleetwood]

The Bible is not silent on these issues!

[bbarnes]

Great video!
Chag Sameach & Shabbat Shalom!!!

[Ronald]

Praise God Jeff. Thank you for this enlighting teaching.

Please help me understand 1 Corinthians 15:29: "Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?"

[SpotterVideo]

Old Covenant Baptism vs. New Covenant Baptism (water vs. Spirit)

Water baptism was a part of the Old Covenant system of ritual washing. The Old Covenant priests had to wash before beginning their service in the temple. (Ex. 30:17-30) When Christ was water baptized by His cousin John in the Jordan River, He was under the Old Covenant system. He also only ate certain foods, and wore certain clothes, as prescribed by the 613 Old Covenant laws. Christ was water baptized by John and then received the Holy Spirit from heaven. The order is reversed in the New Covenant. A person receives the Holy Spirit upon conversion, and then believers often declare their conversion to their friends and family through a water baptism ceremony. Which baptism makes you a member of Christ’s Church?

The New Covenant conversion process is described below. (Born-again)

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

(A person must “hear” the Gospel, and “believe” the Gospel, and will then be “sealed” with the Holy Spirit.)

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
(See Jer. 31:34 for the New Covenant promise, and 1 John 2:27 for the fulfillment)



Which baptism is a part of the salvation process, based on what the Bible says?
What did Peter say below?

Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.


Based on Luke 3:16, and John 1:33, and Acts 11:15-16, the most important thing about the word "baptize" in the New Testament has nothing to do with water. The Holy Spirit is the master teacher promised to New Covenant believers in Jeremiah 31:34, and John 14:26, and is found fulfilled in Ephesians 1:13, and 1 John 2:27. Unfortunately, many modern Christians see water when they read the word "baptize" in the text.

Based on the above, what is the one baptism of our faith found in the passage below? How many times is the word "Spirit" found in the passage, and how many times is the word "water" found in the passage?

Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (See 1 Cor. 12:13)

“baptize” KJV

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:

Mar_1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Water or Holy Spirit?, See Eph. 1-13.)

Luk_3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Joh_1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

Joh_1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

1Co_1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

1Co 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. (See Eph. 4:1-5)

Heb 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. (Old Covenant ----> New Covenant)


How many people have been saved by the Old Covenant water baptism of John the Baptist?

Who did John the Baptist say is the greatest Baptist that ever lived in Luke 3:16? What kind of New Covenant baptism comes from Christ?
Hebrews 9:10 Old Covenant vs. New Covenant

(CSB) They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of the new order.

(ESV) but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

(ESV+) but deal only with R5food and drink and R6various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

(Geneva) Which only stood in meates and drinkes, and diuers washings, and carnal rites, which were inioyned, vntill the time of reformation.

(GW) These gifts and sacrifices were meant to be food, drink, and items used in various purification ceremonies. These ceremonies were required for the body until God would establish a new way of doing things.

(KJV) Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

(KJV+) Which stood onlyG3440 inG1909 meatsG1033 andG2532 drinks, G4188 andG2532 diversG1313 washings, G909 andG2532 carnalG4561 ordinances, G1345 imposedG1945 on them untilG3360 the timeG2540 of reformation.G1357

(NKJV) concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

(NLT) For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established.

(YLT) only in victuals, and drinks, and different baptisms, and fleshly ordinances—till the time of reformation imposed upon them

[johnm.castillo]

not gonna lie, the music was really creepy. HOWEVER, this was a really helpful video.

[EmetYAHU]

Todah Rabah, great Hannukah present, thanks Jeff : )

[timsworld]

Thank you Jeff for this great teaching...

[betawithbrett]

Good stuff, just a small correction.
In Greek "plain vanilla" omega verbs have a noncausative meaning, i.e. simple action by the subject.
βάπτω Bapto - Dip something or someone in liquid.
βαπτίζω Baptizo - Cause someone or something to be dipped.

Zeta omega verbs typically are causative like Hifil binyan in Hebrew.

λούω Louo- wash (bathe)
νίπτω Nipto - wash (usually hands)

[Eklegomai]

WoW very insightful. Thanks for sharing. So it’s not a good thing that Paul baptised in his name instead of Jesus name?

[psalmhouse]

Tks for great information.. shalom from Sri lanka

[edwinbell]

According to the Scriptures John was commissioned by God to baptize in order to make Jesus manifest. The account says people were baptized openly confessing their sins but since Jesus was born without sin nor committed a sin during His life why was He baptized? The Scriptures say regarding Jesus: In the scroll of the Scriptures it is written about me to do your will O God. Baptism is simply a dedication of oneself to no longer live for yourself but for God.

[electrorobotic]

In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist mentions the purpose of his baptisms: “I baptize you with water for repentance.” Paul affirms this in Acts 19:4: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.