I found the article by Philologos very insightful. Because of his understanding of Old Testament Hebrew he was able to extract thoughts that otherwise would not be seen. I will read it again so it sinks in.What is everyones thoughts? Well, I just finished writing up my own thoughts, and since you asked, I will share - though I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for: The public baptism - a symbol of repentanceIn many countries, a vow to accept Christianity is not taken seriously until the converts are baptized. Public baptism signifies their intent to turn away from the religion of their society. Not until after they are baptized, do they risk receiving hostile rejection. They may be banished from their homes. They may lose their jobs and even their lives. For them, baptism is an outward expression of radical and costly repentance. It is like a public burn of all one's idols. It is a way of saying, "rubbish" to everything in the past. The rite of baptism goes way back into pre-New Testament history. It was a washing ceremony signifying a departure from paganism. It was an initiation into Judaism.In John's day, the only ones who were required to be baptized where the pagans who converted to Judaism. When John came preaching a baptism of repentance" Lk. 3:3 he was essentially discounting their entire Judaic heritage. He was treating them as pagans. He was challenging their entire view of salvation. Think how offensive that must have been!I believe that if John the Baptist was to come into our churches today, he'd preach the same message. And it would be equally offensive to be told to repent and be baptized. It would be like discrediting our past baptisms and confessions of faith. That would all mean nothing to him. He may as well tell us that we are no better than pagans. His message would be a challenge to our entire view of salvation. Nevertheless, it is a message we need to hear today, because in our day the church is much like Israel was in John's day. The better baptism: the real thing!John spoke of a far better baptism than merely a symbolic purification rite. He announced the real thing! He said, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who… will baptize you with Holy Spirit and with fire." Matt. 3:11 John was referring to Christ and his Spirit. After Christ's resurrection, the Holy Spirit would come and baptize with fire - that is, the Spirit would be like a purifying fire that separates the pure gold out from the dross. Christ's Spirit would "convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." Jn. 16:8 This cleansing fire of the Spirit would purify hearts by bringing the guilt to the surface, and then burning it away through the blood sacrifice of Christ and his forgiveness. Christ's Spirit would baptize by bringing about the death the old nature with its self rule, which would be submerged with the crucifixtion of Christ - buried and gone! "All of you who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into deathin order that…we too may live a new life." Rom. 6:3Through this baptism of the Sprit, our corruptable old nature is repaced with Christ's new life, which is clean and free from the stain of sin. Through baptism by the Spirit, we "have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness… slaves to God." Rom. 6:18,22 After Jesus was resurrected, he reinforced John's message about the coming Spirit. He said, "For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 1:5 That is exactly what happened at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit cut through the barriers and convicted many people of their sins. Their eyes were opened and they were so "cut to the heart" that they cried out for salvation. They asked the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do to be saved?' Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized." Acts 2:38 In other words, he said, "You must make a drastic departure from your Judaic traditions, and instead you must accept the Christ." Wow! What a shock that must have been to these people who had always viewed themselves as God's chosen. Nevertheless, they accepted that drastic baptism of death. That day God's glory came because three thousand repented. Their public baptism in the water signified the sincerity of their choice. The symbolic act involving water, in itself, means nothing; but what it represents means everything. What the symbolism looks like is not the issue. What God sees within our hearts and minds is what counts - for eternity! Diane
