The Mikvah/Immersion

1. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. - Ezekiel 36:24-25 The Mikvah/Immersion A Walk Of Purity

2. Immersion/Mikvah • One of the most misunderstood teachings in the Bible is immersion. The Bible has much to say about immersion/or the doctrine of washing/baptisms. The first century believers understood the teachings of different immersions and their purpose.

3. Hebrews/Messianic Jews 6:1 • Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Messiah/Christ, let us go unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward YHWH/God • Of the doctrine of baptism(s) and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment

4. Six Elementary Teachings • Foundation of repentance from dead works • Faith toward YHWH • Of the instructions/doctrine of immersions/baptisms • Laying on of hands • Resurrection of the dead • Eternal judgment

5. The Jewish people were chosen by YHWH to show all the world the ways of Elohim • Romans 3:1-2 - What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there in circumcision? Much every way; chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of YHWH (or words of God) • All the festivals, customs, foods, sacrificial system, laws of ritual purity including immersion were given to the Jewish people as teaching tools for us to learn more about Messiah. We must always keep Messiah in the forethought of our studies and realize that all things are to give us a better understanding of what Messiah has done for us, and what is in store for us. If we want rest, peace and contentment in our lives we must know of Him. Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls”

6. The Entire Bible Is Written About Messiah • Psalm 40:7 • “Then said I, Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me”

7. Torah Commandments - 3 Categories • Mishpatim - Literally translated Judgments, these are ethical/moral laws • Edos - Literally translated witnesses • Chukim-Literally translated decrees

8. Torah Commandments - 3 Categories • The moral or ethical laws that are necessary for man to live in harmony are known as Mishpatim and are literally translated judgments • The Rituals and festivals which reawaken us to important religious truths such as Sabbath, The Feasts, the Tefillin and the Mezuzah that remind us of YHWH’s presence are known as Edos and are literally translated as witnesses

9. Torah Commandments - 3 Categories • The Third group often has no explicit reason given for their existence except for Israel’s identification as YHWH’s chosen people to the nation (Deut. 4:6). This group of laws are known as Chukim and are literally translated as decrees. Among the decrees of this group are the dietary laws as well as ritual immersion

10. 613 Mitzvot • A Large portion of the mitzvot only pertain to those living in Israel & The Temple Services and Priests • 365-Commands that you should NOT • 248- Commands that you SHOULD • Today - 179 Laws relate to how I should treat fellow believers, and hot to create a peaceful atmosphere through obedience to Our King - Yeshua Ha Mashiach

11. What About the Brit Ha Dasha • According to “Dakes Annodated Bible” there are at least 1,047 commands given to us in the Brit Ha Dasha/Renewed Covenant • All of the New Testament is based upon The Torah/YHWH’s teaching and Instructions. Yeshua IS THE LIVING TORAH!

12. Believers In Yeshua • As believers in Yeshua and servants of YHWH’s Kingdom, we are commanded to walk by “FAITH” and fulfill the TORAH by applying its moral principles to our relationships with fellow believers. • Rav Shaul taught that he was not delivered from the TORAH but rather was “within the framework of the TORAH as upheld by the Messiah”

13. The Jewish Background of Christian Baptism

14. History Of The Jewish Mikveh • The term mikveh in Hebrew literally means any gathering of waters, but is specifically used in Jewish Law for the waters or bath for the ritual immersion. The building of the mikveh was so important in ancient times it was said to take precedence over the construction of a synagogue. Immersion was so important that it occurred before the high Priest conducted the service on the Day of Atonement, before the regular priests participated in the Temple Service, before each person entered the Temple complex, before a scribe wrote the name of God, as well as several other occasions

15. History Of The Jewish Mikveh • The Mishnah attributes to Ezra a decree that each male should immerse himself before praying or studying. There are several Jewish groups that observed ritual immersion every day to assure readiness for the coming of the Messiah. The Church Fathers mentioned on of these groups called Hemerobaptists which means “daily bathers” in Greek. Among those used to regular immersion were the Essenes and others that the Talmud calls “tovelie shahrit” or “dawn bathers”

16. History Of The Jewish Mikveh • On the third day of creation we see the source of the word mikveh for the first time in Bereshit/Genesis 1:10 when YHWH says ‘….to the gathering (mikveh) of waters, He called seas” Because of this reference in Bereshit/Genesis the ocean is still a legitimate mikveh

17. The Mikvaot Around The Temple

18. The Mikvaot Around The Temple • The Brit Ha Dasha/Renewed Covenant tells us that many of the early Messianic Believers daily activities were centered around the Temple. • Historically, we know that there were many ritual immersion baths (mikvaot) on the Temple Mount including one in the Chamber of Lepers situated in the northwest corner of the Court of woman

19. The Mikvaot Around The Temple • Josephus tells us that even during the years of war (66-73 AD) the laws of ritual immersion were strictly adhered to (Jos Wars 4:205). • The Temple itself contained immersion baths in various places for the priests to use, even in the vaults beneath the court (Commentary to Tam 26:6 Tam1:1) The High Priest had special immersion pools in the Temple, two of which are mentioned in the Mishnah.

21. The Mikvaot Around The Temple • We are told one of these was in the Water Gate in the south of the court and another was on the roof of the Parva Chamber. • There was an additional place for immersion on the Mount of Olives which was connected with the burning of the Red Heifer • A Special ramp led to the mikveh on the Mount of Olives from the Temple Mount, which was built as an arched way over another arched way to avoid uncleaness from the graves in the valley below • Recent archaeological excavations have found 48 different mikvaot near the Monumental Staircase leading into the Temple Complex

22. Why Be Immersed? • To the ancient Jew, the mikveh was a process of spiritual prufication and cleansing, especially in relation to the various types of Turmah or ritual defilement when the Temple was in use. • Although YHHW has not revealed all the meaning of the mikveh, it is obvious because the amount of space given to it in Scripture, and the effort of Yeshua to fulfill it, the command is of utmost importance.

23. How Immersion Was Done • Jewish immersion has never been taken lightly, but in ancient times immersion was to be performed in the presence of witnesses. • Prior to the Mikvah they had already bathed and cut their nails and made a fresh profession of his faith before the designated “fathers of the baptism”

24. How Immersion Was Done • The individual stood straight up with the feet spread and the hands held out in front. • The candidate would totally immerse themselves by squatting in the water with a witness or baptized doing the officiating. • Matthew 3:16a “And after being baptized, Yeshua went up immediatley from the water...

25. How Immersion Was Done • Although it is the Jewish belief that repentance is necessary, purification from defilement is done primarily through water, while other effects of sins are covered by blood • Romans 4:7 • Hebrews 9:22 Note “almost all things” • The concept of immersion in rabbinic literature is referred to as a new birth.

26. Six other important aspects of ancient Jewish immersion: First Aspect • Immersion was accompanied by exhortations and benedictions • A convert would reaffirm his acceptance of the Torah by declaring “I will do and I will hear”, which was a phrase from the oath that was originally taken by the priests not to forsake the Torah • This ritual demonstrates the willingness of the convert to forsake his Gentile (Pagan, confused and without God) backround and assume his Jewish identity by taking on the status of one who keeps the commandments

27. Six other important aspects of ancient Jewish immersion: According to a number of Jewish sages, mayim, which is the Hebrew word for water, shares the same root as the word “mah” meaning ‘what”. This teaching points out that when a person immerses in water, he is nullifying the fleshly ego and is asking “what am I’. In the same manner that Moses and Aaron did in Exodus 16:7 when they said to YHWH ‘we are what?”

28. Six other important aspects of ancient Jewish immersion: • Second Aspect • The Jewish baptism candidates were often immersed there times. The idea of total immersion comes from the Scriptures in Leviticus 15:16, when it says “he shall wash all his flesh in the water” One reason it was customary to immerse three times was because the word mikveh occurs three times in the Torah.

29. Six other important aspects of ancient Jewish immersion: • Third Aspect • According to Jewish law the immersion had to have a required witness. Dr. William LaSor in the Biblical Archeology Review says apparently the Biblical phrase “in the name of” was an indication of the required witness. In several Brit Ha Dasha/New Testament references such as • 1 Corinthians 1:13, 15; Matthew 21:25; Acts 1:22 and Acts 19:3 we see early baptism mentioned in conjunction with the name of individuals such as John and Shaul/Paul. Further information on this can be found in Jewish Literature concerning proselyte baptism where it indicates his baptism required attestation by witnesses in whose name he was immersed

30. Six other important aspects of ancient Jewish immersion: • Fourth Aspect • The immersion candidate was not touched by the baptizer in Yeshua’s day. Because Leviticus 15:16 says “He shall wash all his flesh in the water”. Judaism stresses that the entire body must come in contact with the water of the mikveh. • Although the mikveh was more spiritual than physical, often the bath had two sets of steps, one entering and another leaving so as not to defile what had been purified.

31. Six other important aspects of ancient Jewish immersion: • Fifth Aspect • The baptismal water (Mikveh) in rabbinic literature was referred to as the womb of the world, and as convert came out of the water was considered a new birth separating him from the pagan world. • As the convert came out of these waters his status was changed and he was referred to as a “a little child just born” or a “child of one day’.

32. Six other important aspects of ancient Jewish immersion: • Fifth continued • We see the Brit Ha Dasha using similar Jewish terms as “born anew”, “new creation”, and “born from above”. According to Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum rabbinc literature uses the term “born again” to refer to at least six different occurrences in a persons life….

33. Six other important aspects of ancient Jewish immersion: • Note each of these life changing experiences • When a Gentile converts to Judaism • When an individual is crowned king • At age 13 when a Jewish boy or girl chooses to embrace YHWH’s covenant and be numbered with the belivers - Bar/Bat Mitzvah • When an individual gets married • When an individual becomes a rabbi • When an individual becomes the head of a rabbinical school

34. Six other important aspects of ancient Jewish immersion: • Sixth Aspect • Jewish law requires at least three witnesses made up of qualified leaders to be present for certain immersions. Ordinarily a member of the Sanhedrin performed the act of observing the proselytes immersion, but in case of necessity others could do it. Secret baptism was not accepted

35. Repentance Without Baptism • One of the most important teachings in Judaism is that of repentance. According to both Scripture and rabbinic literature, no matter how great the sin, if a person repents and forsakes the sin before YHWH he can be forgiven. • As we see in the case of John, Yehsua, and all New Testament/Brit Ha Dasha writers, repentance was always involved. • According to Dr. David Flusser , The Dead Sea Scrolls as well as the Brit Ha Dasha teach that water can purify the body only if the soul has first been purified through REPENTANCE & RIGHTEOUSNESS

36. Repent-Repentance • Act 2:38 Kefa said to them, "Repent, and be immersed, every one of you, in the name of Yeshua the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. • Act 3:19 "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, • Mar 6:12 They went out and preached that people should repent. • 27 Verses in the Brit HaDasha with the word “Repent” • 23 Verses in the Brit HaDasha with the word “Repentance” • Greek-G3340 μετανοέω metanoeō met-an-o-eh'-o • From G3326 and G3539; to thinkdifferently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feelcompunction): - repent. • Hebrew H5164 נחם nôcham • no'-kham • From H5162; ruefulness, that is, desistance: - repentance.

37. Washing of the Hands • Washing of the hands is a form of immersion. • The method of washing is either by immersion up to the wrist or by pouring 1/4 log (approximately 1/2 pint) of water over both hands from a receptacle with a wide mouth, the lip of which must be undamaged • The water should be poured over the whole hand up to the wrist, but is effective as long as the fingers are washed up to the second joint.

38. Washing of the Hands • The hands must be clean and without anything to adhere to them; rings must be removed so that the water can reach the entire service. • The water should not be hot or discolored and it is customary to perform the act by pouring water over each hand three times • The hand washing ritual is commonly known as netilat yadayim/taking water to the hands, or lifting of the hands.

39. Water & Blood Both Illustrate YHWH’s Cleansing In Judaism • Both water (mayim) and blood (dom) are used constantly in the Torah and the Brit Ha Dasha/New Testament as the two main agents to illustrate YHWH’s cleansing. The Jews believe that uncleaness is not physical, but rather a spiritual condition as related to Leviticus 11:44 where it states by wrong actions on can make the “soul unclean”. Therefore, purification through ritual immersion, as commanded in Scripture is basically involved with the soul, rather than the body.

40. Water & Blood Both Illustrate YHWH’s Cleansing In Judaism • Note how both water and blood are cited in Scripture • (1) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) • (2) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) • (3) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the Feast Offerings (Leviticus 23) • (4) Blodd is used in cleansing in relation to the five Levitical Offerings (Leviticus 1-7) • (5) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the atonement for the soul (Leviticus 17:11-14)

41. Water & Blood Both Illustrate YHWH’s Cleansing In Judaism • The Use of Water • (1) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the seperation and the ashes of the Red Heifer (Numbers 19) • (2) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the consecration to the Priestly ministry (Leviticus 8:6) • (3) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the Leper (Leviticus 14:1-8) • (4) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the different washings of the Law (Hebrews 9:10)

42. Water & Blood Both Illustrate YHWH’s Cleansing In Judaism • (5) Water is used in relation to the remission of sins. • Acts 2:38 Titus 3:5 Mark 16:16 • Acts 22:16 Romans 6:3 1 Peter 3:20-21 • Ephesians 5:26 John 19:34 1 John 5:6 • Hebrews 9:19-23

43. Immersion Prayer • Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha-Olam, asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav V’tzivanu al havilah • Blessed are You, Lord God King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and has commanded us concerning the immersion

44. Immersion Prayer • Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha-Olam, Shehec’yanu V’kiy’manu V’higiynanu Laz’man Hazeh • Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive and preserved us and brought us to this appointed time

45. Summary • A detailed study of the Jewish background to Messianic/Christian baptism shows that it is vitally important, but YHWH doesn’t always tell us why. Obviously the convert could repent and have apart in the life to come without it, but the emphasis seems to be pointing to the taking on of a new “believer” status illustrated as a “new birth” by immersion. • In any covenant with YHWH the three items of YHWH’s Word, the blood and a token are always present (Genesis 17:11).

46. Immersion Into Yeshua HaMashiach Has Seven Important Points #1 - Believe in Yahshua HaMashiach Acts 8:12, 34-38, 16:30-34 #2.- Immersed in the Name of Yahshua HaMashiach Acts 2:38, 8:12, 10:43, 48; 19:5 #3- Immersed in the Blood of Yahshua HaMasiach Jn 19:34-35, 1 John 5:6-8 Rev 1:5

47. Immersion Into Yeshua HaMashiach Has Seven Important Points #4- Burial with Yahshua HaMashiach by immersion Romans 6:3-4, Col 2:12 #5- Immersion in the likeness of Moshiach’s death with head bowed Romans 6: 3-8; John 19:30 #6- Immersion by ministers sent by YHWH John 20:21-23, Acts 2:38

48. Immersion Into Yeshua HaMashiach Has Seven Important Points #7 -Immersion in Living Water that is created by YHWH Elohim Matthew 3:5-6, John 3:23, Jeremiah 2:13

49. Summary • Yeshua was always cautious to have three witnesses in everything He did (1 John 5:7-8). • “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water and the blood, and these three agree in one” (1 John 5:8) • In the Tenach/Old Testatment circumcision was considered a token of YHWH’s covenant, and in the Brit HaDasha/New Testament we see the same wording concerning baptism as it is referred to as “circumcision made without hands” (Colossians 2:11-12)

50. Conclusion John 3 “Flesh give birth to flesh, but Spirit gives birth to spirit” My prayer is that, together, we understand clearly the truth that Yahshua is emphasizing. That which is born of flesh (our old man) changes status when he/she is born again-born of the Spirit through the mayim hayim, the Living Water, Yeshua Himself!