Lots of things predate Christianity.
Baptism, for instance. Does that matter to you?
Baptism as practiced in Christianity, does not predate the first century at all. The Jews did not practice baptism. Their ritual washing (Mikveh) was not a one off dedication to God as a disciple of his son.
The apostle Peter described water baptism in relation to the waters that saved Noah and his family….
“in which a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water.
21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, is also now saving you (not by the removing of the filth of the flesh, but by the request to God for a good conscience), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:20-21)
One Jewish source describes the Mikveh ritual as follows….
“Women who go to the mikvah typically immerse naked after cleaning their body of any stray hairs or dead skin, and traditionally a witness is present to ensure the immersion is complete. There is an accompanying blessing, and the custom is to submerge three times. (A mikvah is any naturally derived body of water of at least 150 gallons. While lakes and oceans qualify, most Jews use specially constructed indoor mikvahs.)
Men who use the mikvah monthly have adapted the ritual in different ways. Ozur Bass, who has been doing it for 23 years, says he submerges four times, each time facing a different direction while meditating over one of the four Hebrew letters of God’s name. When he’s done, he sings the “Yedid Nefesh” hymn, traditionally sung before Friday evening prayers. He says a blessing beforehand but has no witness.
Some couples try to serve as each witnesses for each other, when possible; few mikvahs permit simultaneous use by men and women.”
Jewish Mikveh
Apparently they charge money for the privilege these days….
With Christian baptism, no one baptizes themselves as it is a public event where witnesses observe a person dedicating their lives to God as a disciple of his son. It is a one off, symbolic ‘death, burial and resurrection’ in dying to a former life course and rising to do the will of God in your life from that day forward.
Mikveh was a repeated ritual cleansing of the body. Not the same at all.
A little research would have clarified that for you.
@Peterlag has informed us about his belief that baptism pre-dates Christianity.
He only believes in the Baptism with the Holy Spirit for the church, from Pentecost and beyond.
I believe that the Bible disagrees with
@Peterlag. Baptism with the holy spirit is only for the elect…..all Christians must undergo water baptism first. Not all Christians are ‘elected’.
Jesus told Nicodemus…..
”Most truly I say to you, unless anyone is born from water and spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) Water baptism precedes baptism with the holy spirit as an unbaptized person is in no position to qualify to be a ‘king and priest’ in God’s Kingdom (Rev 20:6)…this is a condition of entry.
Only after they become dedicated disciples of Christ can they even qualify for ‘election’. And that is God’s choosing, not something anyone can volunteer for. Even Jesus, when choosing his apostles, spent the whole night in prayer with his Father in their selection.
Do you understand what ‘election’ is?
Those who went to John the Baptist for baptism to demonstrate their repentance over failing to observe God’s laws, had to be baptized again as disciples of Christ…..the two baptisms were very different, but for Jews very necessary as John was sent to “prepare the way” for the coming of their Messiah. Those who presented themselves to John were then ready for Jesus’ ministry.
In presenting himself for baptism, Jesus also was signaling the beginning of his role as Messiah….It was also a one off baptism, but not for the same reason as any others. He had no sins for which to be forgiven, or to be cleansed, which is why John hesitated to baptize him. So not all baptisms mean the same thing.
