Experiencing Who We Are

By Brother Rabbi Dani’el Rendelman
Emet Ministries
ravemet@comcast.net

MEMBER OF BNAI YAHSHUA SYNAGOGUES WORLDWIDE

According www.brita.com, the human body is composed of between 70 and 80 percent water. We might look like we are skin and bones, but in reality we are actually walking water bottles. We are a well-spring of water. (Knowing this sure bring new meaning to old saying that someone is a “tall drink of water!”) Anyway, water is an intregal part of life. Without it farmland becomes desolate desserts and animal life ceases. Every part of every life is dependent upon water.

Scientists tell us that the earth is mostly water. They report that this wet mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, known as H20, is the most abundant resource in the world. It is used in hospitals, homes, and power plants. Most religions draw out water for baptismal or washing services as water is used throughout Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Shinto, and Judaism.

A Hebrew concept?
The word baptism comes to the English language from the Greek word “baptizos,” which means to “wash or immerse.” This Greek concept is derived from the Hebrew term “t’vilah.” Does this mean that baptism is really a Hebrew concept?

Yes, before John the Baptist came preaching “repent and be baptized,” immersion was already an accepted practice in the life of the Hebrew people. As John the Baptist stood in the Jordan River, he wasn’t doing anything radical or new. T’vilah (immersion) was part of the Biblical faith before Messiah came. Judaism today continues to use immersion. This proves that baptism is not just as a sacrament ordained by the Roman church, but an action commanded by the Scriptures. We’ll learn that t’vilah is in essence a gateway into being kedusha or set apart.

T’vilah is the physical act of immersing into a body of moving water, called a “mikvah” in Hebrew. The Encyclopedia Judaica says that a mikvah is a, “a collection of water, a pool or bath of clear water, immersion in which renders ritually clean a person who has become ritually unclean through contact with the dead (Num. 19) or any other defiling object, or through an unclean flux from the body (Lev. 15) and especially a menstruant. It is similarly used for vessels (Num. 31:22–23).” These terms, mikvah and t’vilah, will be used interchangeably throughout this teaching to connotate immersion.

Our Dictionary: the Torah
To learn more about this topic let’s consult the only true authority, the Holy Scriptures. As Hebrews, let’s look to our dictionary, the Torah, to learn exactly what t’vilah / immersion is. We’re not going to look directly to John the Baptist in the New Testament, but to the many places immersion is found throughout the Tanakh, starting in the book of Genesis.

In this study, we will learn that the process of mikvah is an outward symbol of inward changes that have taken place in our lives, it is who we are.
There are some powerful insights about immersion to be learned, so let’s fasten our life preservers and dive in!

Let’s begin with understanding that the main purpose of immersion into water is not physical cleanliness, though that does play a part in Scriptural t’vilah. The most important reason we have been called to t’vilah is to reinforce the Bible’s message of separation. As Hebrews we have been called out of darkness into the Light of YHWH. He was called us as His own precious people. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to Elohim, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light,” – Kefa Aleph / I Peter, chapter 2
We are set apart, to YHWH, as His children. He has called us to set ourselves apart in this world, through our actions. As we choose to obey His Torah and thus replicate His will, we set ourselves apart unto Him. The Messianic Writings say, “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Master. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says YHWH Almighty,” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. Immersion is a “procedure” that sets us apart as holy to YHWH. We will undergo the physical act of being baptized as we make Scriptural decisions that validate our desire to live as a holy nation.

T’vilah is a way that we draw near to YHWH and show our devotion to him. This drawing near is to either enter into covenant with Him or as part of returning to Him. “You are circumcised with the brit milah (covenant of circumcision) made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the brit milah of the Moshiach: Buried with Him in mikvah, by which also you are risen with Him through emunah (trusting faithfulness) in the operation of YHWH, who has raised Him from the dead,” Colossians 2: 11, 12.
We may have been immersed as part of our “salvation” or “deliverance” experience. This first immersion for repentance was symbolic of us entering into covenant / relationship with the Most High. However, because of our sinful choices, we should once again seek to be immersed. Many Jews today mikvah before Shabbat, and before the High Holy days, especially Yom Kippur. Adapting this tradition could do nothing but help our spiritual walk. Wouldn’t our holidays seem even more special if we went to a mikvah pool or even showered right before we celebrated?

Draw near through immersion
Mikvah is also part of the repentance process. Because of our Torah-breaking sinfulness, we have been cut from fellowship with Elohim. However, we have been given a pattern to follow, to heal the broken breach. This path includes immersion. The nevviim (prophet) Yesha’yahu explains the pattern like this, “Wash yourself and make yourself clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do tov; seek mishpat (judgment), relieve the oppressed, defend the fatherless, and plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, says YHWH, though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool,” Yesha’yahu - Isaiah 1:16-17.

Just saying that we’re sorry is not enough. And repentance is not the be-all & end-all when it comes to returning to the Father. We are to:
*turn from our evil doings
*wash (do mikvah)
*change our life.

Immersion is how YHWH has prescribed we can come near to Him. Let’s look at a few more verses on this subject from another prophet, Yermi’yahu.

“O Yerushalayim, wash your lev (heart) from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your worthless thoughts stay in you” Yermi’yahu - Jeremiah 4: 14.

“See, I will bring it health and relief, and I will cure them, and will reveal to them the abundance of real shalom and emet. And I will cause the exile of Yahudah and the exile of Yisrael to shuv, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, by which they have sinned against Me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, by which they have sinned, and by which they have transgressed against Me,” Yermi’yahu - Jeremiah 33: 8.

Immersion into water is an integral part of our drawing near to YHWH. Like a wedding ring shows the promise of marriage, mikvah is symbolic of our marriage to YHWH. After the wedding band the bride and groom may enjoy the honeymoon, and after our mikvah into Yahshua can we enjoy the fruit of abundant and eternal life. Talk about drawing near!

Clinging to Our Hope
Going to a mikvah is also like going to a funeral. Our own. Our dipping into the waters is symbolic of our dying to self and being resurrected a new creation in Messiah. “And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward Elohim. It saves you by the resurrection of Yahshua HaMoshiach, who has gone into heaven and is at YHWH's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him,” 1 Kefa – 1 Peter 3:21,22.

When we immerse ourselves we are following the example of Yahshua. We are also clinging to our hope that His blood will remove all sin and uncleanliness from Him. Without Him we have no hope. With Him, we can trust that “he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” Yochannan Alef - First John 1: 19. To see how vivid this idea is within the Scriptures, let’s first turn to the book of Yermi’yahu / Jeremiah, for an amazing look at our hope.

“Although our sins testify against us, O YHWH, do something for the sake of your name. For our backsliding is great; we have sinned against you. O Hope of Israel, its Savior in times of distress, why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays only a night?” Yermi’yahu - Jeremiah 14: 7, 8. Our sins give evidence against us that we are in desperate need of salvation. We cannot work ourselves to Heaven or solve our own Spiritual problems. We need a Redeemer. We need our Savior Yahshua. Well, the words translated “O Hope of Israel” in the above verse points to our salvation. The normal Hebrew word of “hope,” which is “tikvah” is not used here. Instead a different word is found within the ancient Hebrew text, which alters the meaning and the translation greatly. The Hebrew reads, “Mikvah Yisra’el Yahsha!” The literal, correct, translation for this verse would read, “O the Immersion of Israel is Salvation / Yahshua.” Our mikvah into Yahshua’s blood and water is our salvation. “One of the soldiers pierced Yahshua's side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water,” Yochannan - John 19: 34. All of this corresponds with the prophecy, “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanliness,” Zecha’rayah - Zechariah 13: 1. As we cling to our hope, we are cleansed of sin AND uncleanliness through the Messiah’s sacrifice. “Be immersed into Him and be washed in His precious blood,” -- Hebrews / Ivrim 9: 22. Selah! (Think about and quietly meditate on this)

Experiencing Who We Are
Finally, mikvah mayim (water immersion) gives us the opportunity to experience who we really are. Mikvah into Yahshua is part of the restoration of all things and should be part of our daily and weekly lives. “For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws,” Ezekiel 36: 24-29.
While we draw near to Him and cling to our hope, we can identify with Yahshua. “Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Yahshua the Master were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Moshiach was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection,” Romiyah - Romans 6: 1-4.

Even the name of our nation points to our identity. We are Israelites, we are Hebrews. The word Yisraelite means “one who rules and reigns with Elohim.” The word Hebrew or Ivrim, means “one who crosses over.” As Hebrews, Ivrim, our ancestors crossed over the Red Sea and were baptized. “Our forefathers were all under the cloud and they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,” 1 Corinthians 16: 1, 2. We too cross over from the world and enter into agreement with YHWH. We are Ivrim. We are a living mikvah! We have gone down into the water as one who was far off from YHWH (a gentile) and ascend out of the water a Hebrew! We already know that our body is two-thirds water, now we can understand this idea more fully. This is who we are; we are a living, waking, breathing mikvah.

Go and Get It Done!
After Yahshua’s resurrection, He appeared to the believers and gave them the Great Commission. Part of this calling is to be immersed in His name and live the life of a called out one. “Go therefore, and make talmidim of all nations, doing mikvah upon them in My Name: Teaching them to shomer all things, which I have commanded you: and, see, I am with you always, even to the end of the olam hazeh,” -- Mattitiyahu / Matthew 28:19-20. Mikvah is part of the besarot (good news). It is who we are. Scientists tell us that our bodies our two-thirds water, so when we immerse we are returning to our true self. We are uniting with YHWH and clinging to our hope in YHWH.
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The following outline has been compiled from various sources and adapted to help bring greater understanding of this concept:

A – Apart
YHWH has called us to be His set apart people.
“For you are a kadosh people to YHWH your Elohim: YHWH your Elohim has chosen you to be a special people to Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth,” – Devarim / Deuteronomy 7: 6. Part of being holy and part of staying holy is to go through mikvah. Yahshua has said, “He who believes and is immersed will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.” Mikvah reminds us that we have been set apart.

B – Baptism
Mikvah was obviously part of the process of becoming a follower of Yahshua.
Acts, chapter 2:38, “ Then Kefa (Peter) said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahshua the Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Ghost).”

C – Command
A command is something that requires obedience. YHWH is like the old man who had nine cats. A friend came over to visit and noticed that there were nine little kitty doors. He asked the old man why the cats couldn’t all use the same door. The old guy replied: “When I say “Scat!’ I mean ‘Scat!’” Mikvah is something that we have been commanded to do. So do it!

Yochannan - John, chapter 14:23, “Yahshua answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

D -- Directions
The method of baptism is one of the most argued points of doctrine
Some say that the correct method is sprinkling
--They take a smattering of water and shake it over someone’s head
Others say the correct method is pouring
--They take a pitcher of water and pour it over someone’s head
There are those that say that the right process is immersion
--They say that someone must be totally plunged into water
Still others say that it doesn’t matter what method you use
--As long as you call it baptism

The Bible clearly describes the baptismal process: Needs water – anytime someone is baptized, it is with water. There needs to be plenty of water. Yochannan-John, chapter 3:23, “And Yochannan also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.”

Going down into water, Acts, chapter 8 verse 38, “ And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”

Coming up out of water, Acts 8:39, “And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the YHWH caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”

Which of the methods just mentioned, meet the baptismal requirements, as given in Scripture? Certainly can’t be sprinkling or pouring. It can only be immersion!

E -- Explanation
But most important is the meaning of baptism: the complete surrender of everything we are and everything we have to follow Yahshua HaMoshiach and be obedient to Him.

One reason that it identifies us with the death of Yahshua
a. The water is not magical
b. The pronouncement of baptism is not magical
c. The person performing the baptism is not magical.
d. It is only because it’s through baptism that we come into contact with the death of Yahshua and therefore his blood that baptism is effective.

The Bible teaches us that only the blood of Yahshua can wash away our sins.
In Colossians, chapter 2:11, “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Messiah: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of Elohim, who hath raised him from the dead.” Here baptism is compared with the covenant of circumcision. Circumcision was an outward sign of the complete surrender of ourselves to YHWH. Even our most private parts were yielded to Elohim, TO ENTER INTO COVENANT WITH YHWH.

Baptism is a process in which we say to YHWH and to the world that you no longer want to live under the power of sin but under the Kingship of Yahshua HaMoshiach.

Baptism is not effective because we got wet. It’s effective because it’s part of the process of pledging our unending devotion to Yahshua as Master. Baptism is only effective if it makes a difference in the way that you live. There are plenty of people in churches all over that believe that got eternity taken care of because they got wet. All that happened is that they went into the water a dry sinner and came back up a wet one!

F – Final Thoughts
Before we can enter into the presence of YHWH, we have to be cleansed / purified. When YHWH led Yisrael out of Mitsrayim [Egypt], He brought them to Mountain Siynay, to make beriyth [covenant] with them. They could not enter into His presence with the filth and uncleanness upon them, they had to be cleansed in a miqweh first. "and YHWH said to mosheh, 'go to the people and set them apart today and tomorrow; have them wash their clothing.' " -- Shemoth / Exodus 19: 10.