Prepare the Way of the LORD!

A fresh review of Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism,
Ezekiel 36:25-27, and Jewish Expectations of the First Century.

Hanoch Ben Keshet

 

Copyright © 2006

 

    Foreword – the Main Points

    Overview – to Grasp the Approach

1--Messianic Expectations
     The first followers of Messiah were Jewish with Jewish end-time expectations

2--Many Different Baptisms
     The Jewish people practiced many rituals described by the Greek word baptizo
       Baptism of the Dead? Baptism for the Dead?

3--Rabbi John, Messenger of God
      Fulfillment of Jewish end-time prophecy

4--Baptized with the Spirit, The Promise
      Water baptism and Spirit Baptism in Acts 1-8

5--Baptized with the Spirit, The New Covenant Mystery Revealed
      Supremacy of Spirit Baptism recognized by all Jewish disciples

6--The Great Commission
      Messiah commands Jewish apostles to purify the Nations, Matthew 28:19

7--Baptized into Messiah
      Shaliach Shaul - Paul's view of a life conjoined to Messiah

8--1 Peter and Hebrews
      Peter and Hebrews reveal the need for a Jewish understanding of baptism

9--Israel and the Nations
      No advantage, but the distinction remains crucial to understand the New Covenant

10-The Meaning of Baptizo
       The word conveys the idea of a transformation far beyond immersion

1 Drunk, Stupefied, Hung-over, Sleeping

2 Confused, Overwhelmed

3 Shock, Amazement, Rage

4 Ruin, Destruction

5 Conquer

6 Baptized by Overtaxing, Debt

7 Immersion to Destroy, Drown, Ruin

8 Various Usages Beyond Simple Immersion

9 Bapto

11-All New Covenant References to Baptizo, Baptisma and Baptismos
       Greek and English verses

12-John's Baptism, Immersion?
       John's baptism was the promised Jewish end-time purification

13-Baptism into Moses
       Paul's idea shows a tremendous effect far beyond immersion

14-The Apostle John and Baptism
        A few words about John's gospel

15-1 John and John's Baptism
       This epistle has no knowledge of a baptism other than John's

16-The Experience of the New Life
       Life in the Spirit is far more than staid ritualism

17-Baptism in Luke-Acts
      A concise compendium

18-The Samaritans, Another Look
      Deeper meaning in the Greek than usually thought

19-Rambam and Purification
       A word about subsequent Jewish purification

20-Jewish Fence and Baptism
        How incipient first century Jewish attitudes influence baptism

21-The Church Fathers and Baptism
       Just what is the evidence of the Church Fathers about baptism?

22-Yeshua is Lord
        A word about a powerful experience of first being filled with the Holy Spirit

23-With One Spirit
       A word about 1 Corinthians 12:13 - Spirit Baptism

24-Received the Spirit
      Terms of Salvation

25-Bibliography