2007-11-21 01:16:13 · 10 answers · asked by יונתן 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The idea of immersing in a body of water is certainly in Judaism. It has many applications. The primary one is that married women go once a month. Another usage is for men: they go before the sabbath, or before prayer service.
One of the rites of passage for a convert to Judaism is to immerse in water.
The origin of Christian baptism stems from John the Baptist (one who baptizes). It is highly likely that this man, John, was immersing people in a mikvah in his river. Hence, the original 'baptism' (Jesus being baptized by John) was almost certainly in fact a mikvah.
2007-11-21 01:23:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's very possible since, as Green Eye... states, the Mikvah is a living water pool where Jews go to be purified.
Mary visited a Mikvah prior to presenting Jesus at the Temple. She did this in accordance with God's law that she be purified after Jesus' birth.
The baptism of John was a purifying bath in living water, a stream. We Christians get the direction to baptize from John's baptism of Jesus. The only thing different about our baptism and the Mikvah is that we use holy water instead of living water (or water from a stream or the ocean).
Good question!
Yours in Christ Jesus
2007-11-21 01:29:31 · answer #2 · answered by Grace 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Christian baptism does indeed have its roots in Jewish practice during the pre-Christian era. Converts to Judaism were immersed in a "mikvah" to express their faith in Jehovah God. When John the Baptist came upon the scene to prepare the hearts of the Jews to receive their Messiah, he demanded repentance, confession of sin, and baptism in water.
2016-04-05 01:40:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Possibly; interesting idea. The Mikvah, for anyone not familiar with the term, is a kind of ritual, purifying bath (in a pool, not a tub!) that orthodox Jewish women visit at certain times, also by Jewish men, and by anyone converting to Judaism.
There is more info at wikipedia and also www.jewfaq.org for anyone interested in getting more details.
2007-11-21 01:22:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes - I think it did. We have to realize that John the Baptizer didn't simply have a heat stroke in the Judean desert and suddenly invent the idea of baptism in his delirium. Apparently it was something the peope were familiar with. Nobody questioned the validity of the teaching or asked where he came up with the doctrine - no one asked him why was he immersing.
If you're interested, I have a study on the Jewish background to Christian Baptism on our website. Email me from my profile and I'll be happy to send you a link
2007-11-21 01:32:37 · answer #5 · answered by Marji 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Interesting thought. The Old Testament, specifically Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy, is full of ritual cleansing with water.
2007-11-21 02:04:48 · answer #6 · answered by Adoptive Father 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes....the mikvah is a rite of purification before coming into the presence of God.....at the time of John the baptist, everyone was jewish and knew what this was about...
2007-11-21 01:22:42 · answer #7 · answered by Angel wings 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Don't know what a mikvah is but......
No......Scripture is where baptism is from
2007-11-21 01:20:15 · answer #8 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no, it stemmed from the bible
2007-11-21 01:18:53 · answer #9 · answered by mg© - anti VT™ MG AM© Fundi4Life 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
religion is mythology
Santa is returning soon, are you prepared?!
2007-11-21 01:20:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋