Origin
Let us begin with the origin of the word. Baptism, is from Greek βαπτίζω (baptízô), typically meaning “dip, immerse, or plunge”. Most of the time it refers to a religious act of purification by water usually associated with admission to membership or fullness of membership of a religion. There is some speculation and debate as to whether Christian baptism utilized a previously established rite from the Graeco-Roman World or even from Judaism (this action would not be unique to baptism). Many cultures practice or have practiced rites similar to Christian baptism. One of the most interesting similarities comes from the Mystery religion initiation rites. Mystery religions were secret cults in which the uninitiated could not participate. Initiation and full admission was restricted to those who had gone through certain, secret rites. During these secret rites selected individuals were brought into a special relationship with a deity and assured of certain benefits. Apuleius, a second-century Roman writer, described his initiation into the mysteries of Isis in his book Metamorphoses (also called The Golden Ass):
“The priest brought me to the next baths, surrounded by the pious troop, and after I had had an ordinary bath, he prayed for the grace of the gods and cleansed me completely, sprinkling me with water from all sides.”It may be noted that Apuleius' entry into the mysteries was accomplished only after a significant period of study to demonstrate his loyalty and trustworthiness.
In another mystery religion (Mithras), art work portrays an initiate being led to the ceremony naked. He would ten take an oath of secrecy before admission to the society. Then there was a laying on of hands, pouring on of water, striking with the leg of a bull, placing of a solar crown upon the head, and fire held close to the body. Possibly other “ordeals” followed.
Although the term "baptism" is not used to describe the Jewish rituals, the purification rites (or mikvah - ritual immersion) in Jewish laws and tradition have some similarity to baptism, and the two have been linked although their relationship is disputed. In the Hebrew Bible and other Jewish texts, immersion in water for ritual purification was established for restoration to a condition of "ritual purity" in specific circumstances. For example, Jews who (according to the Law of Moses) became ritually defiled by contact with a corpse had to use the mikvah before being allowed to participate in the Holy Temple. Immersion is required for converts to Judaism as part of their conversion to cleanse them from former practices. Immersion in the mikvah represents purification and restoration, and qualification for full religious participation in the life of the community, because the cleansed person will not impose uncleanness on property or its owners.
The point of such examples is that the use of water was common in other religions. But we must be careful to note that significance of each is quite different. All were initiation-type rituals but the mystery religions did it for purification and the benefits were based on the action of the initiate. The mikvah is a rite that is meant to be carried out repeatedly, and is thus essentially different from baptism, which has an unrepeatable character. Christian baptism has more spiritual value and the benefits are based on the grace of God (more on this in a later post).
It seems as though ritual purity through water cleansing was around long before Christians utilized it. In addition, the use of baptism as a sort of initiation rite was well established by the Mystery Religions. But Christians went a step further and added far more spiritual baggage to the action. This evolution and transformation will be discussed in the next journal entry.
**Credit to Wikipedia and an excellent volume by Everett Ferguson - Backgrounds of Early Christianity
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2 comments:
"an initiate being led to the ceremony naked. He would ten take an oath of secrecy before admission to the society. Then there was a laying on of hands, pouring on of water, striking with the leg of a bull, placing of a solar crown upon the head, and fire held close to the body. Possibly other “ordeals” followed."
I'm shocked how similar this is to our baptism ceremony:)
Just kidding. Is mikvah what the Essenes were doing? Do you think that it is what John was preaching? Are you going to address the similarity to Noah that Peter talks about?
The roots of the Essene water purification seemed to have their origin in Jewish ritual baths, or the Mikvaim. They seemed to be daily washings, and though the first one was one of ordination, the subsequent ones were driven by purity.
As for John the baptizer, there are both similarities and differences between what the Essenes at Qumaran were doing and what he was doing. The major differences were that John's baptism was for repentance and forgiveness as a precursor to the coming of the Messiah. In addition, the administration by John was unique since the Essenes administered it themselves.
What can be said is that the symbolism of purity and setting oneself apart came through in John's baptism, but the actual acts and meaning changed when John administered his baptism.
As for the Noah reference in Peter, I will include that when I discuss the meaning of baptism.
Good questions and thoughts. Keep ‘em coming.
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