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Baptisms

The Jewish Religious Laws, in the Old Testament contained
three purposes.
1. To make people aware of their sin and the need to be
made clean from them.

2. To show that even the continuous keeping of the law
was not sufficient alone to keep men and women from
God's final judgement and that something else would
be required.

3. To hide within each of the laws and rituals, symbols of
what the saviour, Jesus Christ, would do on behalf of
mankind.

The sacrificing and sometimes hardship that was
experienced in keeping the law, pointed to the suffering that
Jesus would go through on mans' behalf.

Ceremonial Washing for Israel, had an important lesson for
them. It spoke of the Holiness and Purity of God in
comparison to the sinfulness and spiritual uncleanness of
mankind.

One of many examples of Ceremonial Washing is when God
set apart the priests (Aaron and his sons) in Exodus 30
v20,21 'Whenever they enter the Tabernacle, they shall
wash with water, so that they will not die. Also when
they approach the altar to minister by presenting an
offering made to the Lord by fire, they shall wash their
hands and feet, so that they will not die.'

The water itself could not have 'magical powers' but
symbolised mans' uncleanness and the need to be obedient
if he was to be be truly cleansed.

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