HISTORICAL EVIDENCES OF OLD TESTAMENT BAPTISM

(To be used only for those who demand more evidence than the lesson gives.)

WARNING: Never give more information than is necessary to gain agreement. You should have a WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE, but do not impart it all at once. Remember always that OUTSIDE EVIDENCES do not build testimony as scriptural references do.

1. Out of the mouths of two or more witnesses shall truth be established.

Missionary: You said, that very first evening, that you believe the histories that tell of George Washington. Would you believe that histories concerning the Jewish people such as the Jewish Encyclopedia could be trusted?

Mrs. Rosen: Yes, I’d trust that.

Missionary: good, because since we know that many “plain and precious things” you have been removed from the Bible, we sometimes have to go to history for additional evidences.

Then if what we find in the encyclopedia is substantiated by several other historians, would that be following the judge’s rule for truth, “There must be substantiating evidences?”

Mrs. Rosen: Yes.

Missionary: Then I’d like to show you these references. You write them down and someday spend a wonderful evening looking them up in the library. Maybe we can go together for it is simply fascinating reading them. (Show the visual pages, letting her read.)

Would a complete encyclopedia of Jewish people stop with the Old Testament, or continue to our day?

Mrs. Rosen: Continue to our day.

Missionary: From Moses’ time, through the time of Christ, to our time?

Mrs. Rosen: Surely

Missionary: Good, for that is what we find, and in following these historical records we see the positive fulfilment of the prophecy “they have changed the ordinances,” for we follow the changes right through progressive stages.

One of the first things we read is that there is a Jewish tradition that Adam and Eve were baptized by immersion for the atonement of their sin. And a tradition that Abraham was baptized. Now read this: (Show page 11.)

(Mrs. Rosen reads references from Jewish Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, Page 499.):

2. Baptism by immersion practiced in ancient Judaism.

“Baptism was practiced in ancient Judaism, first as a means of penitence. . . . To receive the Spirit of God, or to be permitted to stand in the presence of God, man must undergo baptism.” (Tan., Mezora 6 ed. Buber p. 46.)

Missionary: Remember, we say, as Christ did, “Except you are baptized you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

3. Baptism in the temple at Jerusalem.

(Missionary reads references from Jewish Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, pages 68-69.):

“Immersion of the whole body, according to rabbinical interpretation, this (baptism) is only valid when performed by immersion, in fountain, in stream or properly constructed vessel. The rule was, of course, also observed IN THE TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM.

. . . .

8. Moses had the Children of Israel baptized.

Missionary: Mormons know that Paul recorded that baptism of the Children of Israel in 1 Cor. 10:1-11. “All of our fathers were under the cloud, and they all passed through the sea, and they were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and the sea.” The Syriac Bible says, “They were all baptized by the hand of Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” (Note to teacher: This is symbolic of the water and the spirit.)

9. Because no baptism in Judaism today, rabbis unaware of history.

There are literally hundreds of references to baptism, always be immersion, in Jewish histories—some performed correctly, some incorrectly. I was astonished when I called two rabbis and was told, “There was never baptism among the Jews, that’s a Christian teaching.” So, since it is not a part of the Jewish religion TODAY, they ignore the fact that THEIR OWN HISTORIES are so full of references to it. One last reference:

(Missionary reads from Mosheim, Ecclesiastical History, Vol. 2, Page 32.):

10. Christ baptized to be obedient to everything Jewish law required.

“He (John) likewise initiated into the Savior’s approaching kingdom, those who promised amendment of mind and life, by immersion in the river. And by this John, it pleased even Jesus Himself to be lusterated. AS OTHERS WERE, in the waters of Jordan THAT HE SHOULD SHOW NO NEGLECT, according to his own words, OF ANYTHING THAT JEWISH AUTHORITY AND LAW REQUIRED.”