2007-12-28 11:57:58 · 9 answers · asked by STFU Dude 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm sure it's an ancient practice.
"The practice of baptism in pagan religions seems to have been based on a belief in the purifying properties of water. In ancient Babylon, according to the Tablets of Maklu, water was important as a spiritual cleansing agent in the cult of Enke, lord of Eridu. In Egypt, the Book of Going Forth by Day contains a treatise on the baptism of newborn children, which is performed to purify them of blemishes acquired in the womb. Water, especially the Nile's cold water, which was believed to have regenerative powers, is used to baptize the dead in a ritual based on the Osiris myth. Egyptian cults also developed the idea of regeneration through water. The bath preceding initiation into the cult of Isis seems to have been more than a simple ritual purification; it was probably intended to represent symbolically the initiate's death to the life of this world by recalling Osiris' drowning in the Nile."
edit: (thumbs down for the truth??? egad!!!)
(the Tablets of Maklu!!! Doesn't that sound so cool?)
I'm sure that to the peoples of the desert, water was very important.
2007-12-28 12:03:27 · answer #1 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Before (and at the time of) the John the Baptist the Israelites engaged in ritual cleansing by immersing themselves in a mikveh before entering the Temple in Jerusalem.
John the Baptist's take on the ritual immersion was different, but not completely original. The Jewish mikveh's were used to cleanse the body where it is said the John's immersion cleansed the spirit.
Where the Jews got the idea for ritual purity through immersion, I'm not sure.
2007-12-28 12:58:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
With John the Baptist-Forerunner of Christ.
2007-12-28 12:24:02 · answer #3 · answered by paula r 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water baptism was REQUIRED for jews as they were to be a nation of Priests, and priests had to go thru a water purification process.
Today, under the gospel of the GRACE of God, the ONE baptism of Eph. 4:5 is one BY the Holy Spirit as He places us (identifies us with) INTO the Body of Christ; a living , breathing entity which God calls the "church which is His body" today.
God initiates both baptisms. He replaced the water baptism with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. One is a shadow of the reality.
2007-12-28 12:04:20 · answer #4 · answered by goinupru 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Old Hebrew tradition of ritual cleansing.
2007-12-28 12:05:13 · answer #5 · answered by BOC 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Dude,
A man named John was sent to make way for the Savior (Jesus Christ) that was to come. Have a great weekend.
Thanks,
Eds
.
2007-12-28 12:01:49 · answer #6 · answered by Eds 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
John the Baptist
2007-12-28 12:01:16 · answer #7 · answered by geniepiper 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Someone wanted a ritual that cost nothing to perform but they could charge a lot for.
2007-12-28 12:02:01 · answer #8 · answered by Jesusa 6 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Achilles.
2007-12-28 12:01:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋