Where did the idea of baptism come?

Question

No need to cut and paste pages from Wikipedia, please!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW not a single correct answer yet.

Answer 1

Baptism is generally a water purification ritual practiced in many of various religions including Christianity, Mandaeanism, and Sikhism. Christian baptism has its origins with the Jewish ritual of mikvah. The word baptize derives from the Greek word βάπτειν (the infinitive; also listed as the 1st person singular present active indicative βαπτίζω), which loosely means "to dip, bathe, or wash". To some groups it is a matter of religious conviction to assert that baptism is literally equivalent to, to plunge something entirely into the water, so that the water closes over it. To other groups, baptism is a symbolic term meaning "identification with" (e.g. Jesus) having no connection with earthly ritual

Answer 2

Baptism in which Spiritual Tradition? Many faiths practise cleansing rituals. In the Bible John Baptised in the river Jordan (a Jewish ritual) that symbolised a turning toward a new way of life, a new beginning. In a broad look at Christianity you have Baptism by the Spirit... and Baptism by Water. Christian ideas about Baptism (which vary widely) come from Scriptures: Acts 22:16, Titus 3:5, Acts 2:38, John 3:5, Romans 6:3, I Cor. 6:11, 1 John 3:9 and 5:8... a few... plus ancient church writings by Barnabas, Pastor Hermas, St. Justin, Tertullian.... Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Reformed Christians, Baptists, all have different ideas about what Baptism means or 'does' for one who undergoes the ritual (or rite).

Answer 3

A general overview...

The practice has been around for several millennia. Old Testament Jews practiced ceremonial washings and sprinklings before and during many religious observances and it probably grew from that. There is also the incident in 2 Kings chapter 5 where the prophet Elisha instructed Naaman, the commanding general of the Aramean army, to bathe in the Jordan River to be cured of leprosy. Other cultures had similar practices.

The type of baptism performed by John, (it's not recorded that Jesus baptized anyone although He was certainly familiar with the practice since He went to John to be baptized and recognized as Christ) was a whole body cleansing (immersion) symbolizing repentance and the forgiveness of God in washing away sin, and a new dedication to serving God in expectation of the Messiah's coming. The disciple Andrew, and probably James and John, are thought to have been disciple's of John's first.

On the Pentecost holiday following Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection (Acts 2) we see that baptism was wholeheartedly adopted by the early Church -- some 3000 were baptized that day. But the symbolism had changed somewhat. Along with the concepts of repentance and cleansing, the idea of symbolically dying (going under the water) and rising again, in imitation of Christ were added.

As persecution of the Church increased, it became very dangerous to hold public baptisms. Believers met in house churches and in the catacombs of Rome for around 400 years (until Constantine made Christianity legitimate). Without access to a river, lake or pool, the practice reverted to sprinkling -- which is still used today by Catholic, Orthodox and mainline Protestants.

The practice of baptizing infants is also retained by Catholics, Orthodox and mainline Protestant churches, although with slightly different emphases. As I understand it, Catholics believe that the Church has the power to confer God grace, through the laying on of the hands of an annointed priest, so infant baptism portrays the acceptance of the child into the Kingdom of God. Most Protestant churches view it as a public commitment by the parents to raise the child in the faith, with the help of the local congregation, so that, when of age, he/she can decide for him/herself to follow Christ.

Answer 4

The Greek septuagint uses the same greek word later used in the days of John the Baptizer, Jesus, and his disciples at Exodus 12:22 and Leviticus 4:6, so it was probably in use before John was doing it.

The Bible actually speaks of 4 different kinds of baptism: John's baptism; the water baptism of Jesus and his followers; baptism into Jesus Christ and into his death; baptism with fire.

Do you have other sources, in which to answer this?

Answer 5

It was from one of two places;

The Bible...

or.. that day when the temperature and humidity in Israel ran so far off the top of the scale that people were all sweating like pigs and stinking so badly that some of them required immediate baths... remember that in these early days there were no reliable under arm deodorant products. Whoa..!

or here's a third place to look for an answer - and this one appears to be for real... the word seems to point to Greek origin. Check it out: Baptism: Encyclopedia - Baptism
http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Baptism/id/1926805

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Answer 6

Baptism comes from the Jewish mikvah which is a ritual bath used for spiritual purification. Jesus bathed in a mikvah prior to entering the Temple. Jewish converts are immersed in the mikvah as a spiritual purification. If anyone goes to Israel, be sure to note the many mikvahs in the ruins and also near the entrance steps to the Temple.

Answer 7

it came from before the time of John the baptist. I am not totally sure, but by the time Jesus was around, baptism was actually practiced by some groups of Jews. John the Baptist used it as a part of his ministry in showing who God was while he was there to announce Jesus.

Answer 8

Not sure where it originated. But I do know Jews used oil for it, not dunking in water. And Pagans used different types of "baptism" depending on the culture. Some used blood, some oil, some water...

Answer 9

Baptism came from God to John the Baptist. He told the folks, that would listen, to bring forth fruits meet for repentance. (That means to tell of a salvation experience.)
He was preparing a people for the coming Messiah. Jesus, after he submitted to Baptism, gathered to him the material(people) John had prepared.

Answer 10

From the Italian word, "baptisma," meaning to immerse or to dip. It came about when the King James Bible was being translated into English and the scholars couldn't find an English word for "baptisma."