There are several seminars that occur here. Scholars are able to present their papers (usually chapters of books that are going to come out). Some discussion happens at the end. Yesterday, we were discussion Sanctification. Baptism came up (which is related to another post coming soon). I posted some of the questions with some debated answers. Anything to add?
1. Why did John baptize?
There seems to be a big debate about this. I had no idea. Maybe continuing Jewish cleansing rites? A new exodus – taking people into a “new country”? (this ties John’s baptism directly to the Jordan – can’t happen/doesn’t need to happen in other places)
2. Did Jesus baptize?
Yes – why else would we do it now?
No – didn’t need to when away from the Jordan…OR…had to wait until after the resurrection and ascension and then the Holy Spirit coming.
A random one:
3. Which veil was torn at the death of Jesus (Matt. 27:51)?
the inside one – but no one could have seen it.
where were others?
Re: #2 -
John 3:22 - "After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing."
John 4:2 - "...although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were..."
Some experts see the second quote as a clarification, while others as call it a later redaction. You can judge for yourself.
Not having heard the seminar or the conversation, here's my two cents: I think we baptize because Jesus was baptized, and because he taught his followers to do so. Further, I'm inclined to believe that he did that the way he did most things-- by demonstrating, and then saying "Go and do likewise." So I think he probably did baptize a few people, at least at the beginning.
Posted by: Jane Ellen at November 29, 2003 08:11 PMAs I recall, there was a curtain at the front of the Temple, too (imagine the publicity banners in front of fancy municipal museums).
Posted by: AKMA at November 30, 2003 02:31 AM