Ceremonial washings in the priesthood like washing their hands and arms etc before they did their service is not connected to the baptism in the river that John began. The levitical priests washings were not the same. The people that flocked by the multitudes to hear John heard him explain that it was for repentance and washing away sins in preparation for the messiah. That is what John preached and that is what they understood. He told them what it was about and they believed it thinking that he was a prophet, which he was and they listened to him and the teachings on repentance that is recorded that he gave. He told them what they should do in turning from sin specifically telling them things like not exacting more taxes than is due, telling the soldiers not to be corrupt, and all sorts of details like that, and preached about the coming messiah that would baptize them in the Holy Ghost and fire. Jesus came and his disciples continued preaching the same message Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Jesus preached the same message. Then Jesus sent his disciples to go into all the world and preach the same message. What Jesus taught the 12 to do was the same thing they were commissioned to do after his resurrection. However on the day of Pentecost they were baptized in the Holy Ghost empowered with the Holy Spirit gifts for ministry and yet still they baptized the three thousand converts that day in water, still preaching that believers are to be baptized. Baptism of repentance must not be skipped or it will result in half baked commitments that the devil will easily come along and snatch out of their hearts like seed on the wayside. WE are the ones that NEED the ceremonial baptism to help our FAITH. It is and ACT of FAITH not a work of the flesh. It is a blinded heart that cannot see that. We should be increasing baptisms today, if we would be doing what Jesus expects us to be busy doing in the light of His soon return.
Whenever I eventually plant a church or start pastoring one it is my heart to have baptism every Sunday morning during the worship time and video it on the big screen while people are singing. No other fan fare than that and hopefully there will be a candidate who has committed to Christ from a previous service who wants to get baptized so that every Sunday there will be new ones being buried with him and raised to newness of life by FAITH. How Exciting would that BE???
It would appear you have not studied every thing that applies to that ceremonial shadow. It is the question that was asked by the Pharisees, who sought after lying wonders .Those that glory in the flesh the things seen in John 3 below
John the Levi did not say; I have no idea why I baptized Jesus from the tribe of Judah was baptized as part of the priesthood of believers and is now performing the ceremony his own self . He was well aware the a new priesthood after melchedik was coming (
Psalm 110:4
Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples believers and the(non believing)Jews about purifying.
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. John 3:25-26
With the Levitical priests washings they prepared others for the ministry. John was the last Levi . He handed handed it over to Jesus from the tribe of Judah. The sons of Leah; Jacob's firstborn with his first wife. Simeon, and
Levi, and
Judah .It focusses on the first born they represent those who are born again. Simeon and Levi used as instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. could not represent the new order .it was time to turn the carnal weapons into plowshares . the introduction of a kingdom of priest, the promise of Joel. men and woman for all the nations of the world
This is no different than another lying wonder connected to a sign. Like The tongue doctrine. It has its foundation in the Old testemtment. No such thing a a sign gift. Spiritual gifts yes.
Signs follow after one who has been freely given the grace of God. With their new tongue they can preach the gospel. It not a outward sign works in a person . No grace comes from any outward sign we can perform . Why destroy the foundations?
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