What Are The Origins of Baptism?

According to some, the concept of Baptism is a Pagan practice early Christians adopted; however, baptism is entirely Jewish in its origins. "Ritual immersion has traditionally played an important part in Judaism, as a symbol of purification (in the mikvah[or מִקְוֶה], a postmenstrual or ritual bath used by women) or as a symbol of consecration (in rituals of conversion, accompanied by special prayers)," (Encylopedia of Britannica).

According to scholars such as Dr. David A. Falk, the practice was used particularly as a way for newcomers/foreigners to enter Jewish communities. For women, they went through the mikvah or mikveh while men were normally circumcised. Priests also did ritual washing for purification, as we read in Leviticus, "Then Aaron shall come into the tent of meeting and take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there. And he shall bathe his body with water in a holy place and put on his clothes, and come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people. Then he shall offer up in smoke the fat of the sin offering on the altar. The one who released the goat as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes and bathe his body with water; then afterward he shall come into the camp," (Leviticus 16:23-26 NASB1995).

Works Cited:

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "baptism". Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/baptism. Accessed 16 August 2023.

Falk, Kiara. Live Stream #118: Yeah, Even with Good Questions, the Egyptian Afterlife Still Sucks. YouTube, YouTube, 5 Aug. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/live/JwbrXBi_ieU?feature=share&t=5722. Accessed 16 Aug. 2023.

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