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What a Christian Believes

The threat of death was not an idle one. A priest who was
unwilling to meet God's requirements would have died, if he
had tried to come into God's presence.

GOD IS FATHER and not uncaring but men needed to know
that HE is pure.

The same is true now, the difference compared with Old
Testament times being that God himself has now
provided the cleansing.

There were many different laws for washing and cleansing in
the Old Testament and some are referred to in the book of
Hebrews in the New Testament. It is enough to say that
within them are symbols, representing that which Jesus
would do on mans' behalf.

How God intended to cleanse His people, in a future time,
is found in a prophecy in Ezekiel 36 v26,27 'I will sprinkle
clean water on you and you will be clean; I will cleanse
you from all your impurities and all your idols.'

This promise was first for the nation of Israel but was
widened to apply to all believers, because the good news of
salvation is for all people, who will receive it by Faith.

The New Testament teaching.

By now the term Baptism was used for different kinds of
cleansing and washing, from pots and pans, to people. At
the time of Jesus' birth the practice of ceremonial washing
was used for someone who, not being born a Jew, wanted to
become one. It was one of a number of observances that
were performed by such a person.

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