Brit milah [circumcision] is sometimes referred to as the covenant of Abraham, who circumcised himself in order to become a Jew. The timing of Abraham’s act had a special two-fold significance.
1. Abraham was 48 years old when he came to know his creator. Yet he was not commanded to circumcise himself at that time and waited until he was much older–99 years of age. Why? That answer can be found in the Mishnah. "In order not to close the door upon proselytes, however advanced in years." It doesn't matter, how old your are or what you have done, in your life, as long as you come to God.
2. The Talmud says that it is a symbol of your stepping out in faith. Actually, there is no explicit commandment in the Torah requiring circumcision for proselytes. However, in the B'rit Hadashah, the New Testament, Baptism is the new circumcision, a symbol of your leaving the old person behind, and stepping into a new life, through the Messiah, Y'shua.
As for the eighth day circumcision, it turns out, a newborn babies vitamin K and Prothrombin production, which is vital to making blood clot, thereby preventing a baby from bleeding out, occurs or maximizes, on the eighth day. An amazing tidbit of information, that shows God as the designer of us all.
If a man doesn't go through circumcision or immersion, baptism, according to the law, then where is the faith? If you aren't willing to step out and perform a simple act of obedience unto God, then what will your life, with the Messiah, be like? Circumsion or Baptism is your first step in your Walk With God.
Hi Keith, the Jews trust in their circumcision and the Christians trust in their water-baptism, but those who are born again trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteKind regards Paul.
Hey Paul. I agree. That's the difference between a faith based, Christ centered life and a works driven one. Shalom!
DeleteHi Keith,
ReplyDeletejust read this post, and just interested to ask:- Don't you believe we have to be baptized in water?
Sorry Keith,
ReplyDeleteI think you do, according to your post here, I was just a bit confused as I read your comment to Paul who does not appear to believe we have to be baptized in water.
Hi Brenda, I believe the scriptures are clear that baptism is not a "have to" but it is a "want to". The only "have to" of salvation is the belief and reliance upon God for providing that salvation. I think it can be boiled down to what got us all into our situation, in the first place, sin and God's requirement for retribution, and that is a sacrifice of like kind. When Eve sinned, God required her life in payment. However, Adam did something that temporarily reset the scales and that was a self sacrificing display of love for his mate. However, it would never be enough until a perfect sacrifice could be presented unto God, as payment. No natural borne man could could fit that bill until God provided spiritual born man, which was Y'shua, which brings me back to the "have to", of salvation. To be save from death, we must believe and rely on the God provided sacrifice of Y'shua. Where baptism comes in is that the first bypoduct of realiance and belief, is obedience, which brings me back to the "want to". If you truly believe and rely on God, you will "want to" obey his commands and his first command is to show your obedience to everyone, and that is baptism. What are your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteHi Keith,
ReplyDeleteyes I do believe that water baptism is part of salvation, and I believe that some scriptures show that, as does Acts 2:38:-
'Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.'
I believe absolutely that I was led to be baptized in water by the scriptures and not by man. I know that when I was baptized in a church gathering in Adelaide I came up out of the water speaking a language I had never learned, I believe it is 'speaking mysteries to God', as spoken of in 1 Corinthians ch. 14 v. 2:-
'For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries.', and that it was part of what followed repenting and being baptized in water for me.
It is such a beautiful experience that I can not explain it to someone who has not had this experience. I think the only true way I can partially explain it is that it is a language that I automatically go into when I am praying to God and I could not put what I am feeling in my heart into words. During the time, and after, I have spoken in that language a perfect peace comes upon me.
I hope this has explained why I believe that water baptism is scripturally essential, although I believe there are other scriptures that confirmed this to me.
Hi Keith,
ReplyDeleteI was just looking at some older posts on 'A Christian View' blog written by Steve Finnel that I visit sometimes. I came across a comment that you left regarding water baptism in which you said it was an act of obedience. I had never seen comments from you on that blog before. I liked your answer and it got me thinking again about our little discussion on here regarding water baptism. I thought 'I wonder if Keith has been baptized in water?'.
So I came back onto this part of your blog to continue our friendly discussion. I know it is strange when we do not know a person fully, but sometimes I come across believers on the blog that I feel are friendly brothers and sisters in the Lord, and I was just curious to know if you have been baptized in water. You only have to answer if you feel you want to, it is only asked out of friendliness.
Hi Brenda. Yes I have baptized in water out of obedience to and desire to follow the Lord.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that I too was baptized out of obedience and desire to follow the Lord. It is all about line upon line, and precept upon precept. I could never have been baptized just because someone told me to. I was drawn to the Lord by God initially, and there were many things that happened in my life before that happened that was part of the drawing.
ReplyDeleteSomething that has often come into my mind is - as I believe the scriptures show that we are the Spiritual Israel of God, I wonder if there are different Spiritual tribes contained within that. I don't know if you have any views on it?
The spiritual state of Israel is the remnant of God. There is the actual physical state of Israel, as a fulfillment of God's covenant and promise with Abraham, but there is a spiritual fulfillment that includes all Gentiles and that is the Remnant. As for spiritual tribes, I honestly haven't thought about that.
ReplyDeleteI have thought about it for some time now. Sometimes when I am being spoken to by the Lord through His Word, it is as if it is being reflected through the character of an old testament Israelite. I suppose just like John the Baptist went in the spirit of Elijah.
ReplyDelete