Let’s dive into the rite of Baptism. We will also draw some intriguing parallels with another sacred rite that we discussed earlier this year: Circumcision. If you haven’t checked it out yet, be sure to read the linked blog below. Once you do, I look for us to expanding on these ideas together, so after you read this blog please share your thoughts in the comment section.

Circumcision

In a similar manner to our discussion about circumcision, let us now explore the establishment, order, and purposes of Baptism according to Scripture.

And before we go any further, here is another BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): It is ALWAYS a good thing to follow in The Way of The Messiah, and “Be Baptized.”

Alright, let’s get into it:

Let’s begin by examining a few modern definitions and understandings of “baptism” before exploring what Scripture teaches about it. While these definitions are common, they are actually false and represent misunderstandings. However, to start with the more familiar words and meanings, let’s take a closer look:

Unfortunately, most people worldwide would agree that baptizing someone is a Christian/church sacrament or rite of initiation. Also, as highlighted above, some believe that to be fully baptized, one needs to be baptized three times—”once for each person of the Trinity.” It’s important to note that none of those beliefs are supported by Scripture at all. Despite what Scripture says, many individuals, hold the belief that if they are baptized according to their feelings, faith, pastor, denomination, and/or doctrine, they are cleansed from sin in the sight of God. Again, these beliefs are unbiblical! How can I assert this? Easily, all I have to do is look at the Christian Church at large and then compare its practices and doctrines to the Bible. The so-called Christian Church often disobeys and teaches disobedience to numerous Biblical commandments and instructions, while performing baptisms and other rites, assuming that these acts (works) make them righteous. Nowadays, many ministries are baptizing large groups of people, misleading themselves and the masses who celebrate in sin & ignorance. For example, check out the two videos linked below.

As you saw above, twelve thousand people were baptized during that one event— that’s right 12,000 people! However, despite this impressive number and the joy expressed by those misguided Christians, who wholeheartedly might believe that they have been baptized into The Messiah, they have unfortunately fallen victim to a false doctrine regarding baptism. And according to Scripture, they have not been baptized into The Messiah, regardless of how they feel or what they believe. The concept of “Christian Baptism” is unbiblical. Ok, since I keep emphasizing how unbiblical this kind of baptism is, let’s explore the Biblical understanding to help us discern the truth. First, let’s explore the true meaning of the word “baptize” to dispel the modern interpretations of it, which were presented at the beginning of the blog.

What does the word “baptize” mean?

The English word “baptize” was first used in the thirteenth century, which is well after the time when the Scriptures were written. What, then, is the original word, its origin, and its original definition? Please review the attached screenshots, and then we can continue.

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A few quick key Biblical purposes of Baptism:

1. Obedience to The Messiah’s command: Baptism is an act of obedience to The Messiah’s command to baptize believers (Matthew 28:19).
2. Forgiveness of sins through symbolic washing: Baptism is associated with the forgiveness of sins, coupled with repentance/turning from sin (Acts 2:38, 22:16), and sin is defined as the breaking of the Torah (1 John 3:4).
3. Symbolic death & resurrection: Baptism represents the death of the old self & the resurrection to new life in The Messiah (Romans 6:3-5, Colossians 2:12).
4. Baptism identifies the believer with The Messiah and His body, the set apart children of The Most High (Galatians 3:27, 1 Corinthians 12:13).
5. Public declaration of faith and identification with The Messiah: Baptism is an outward expression of one’s inner commitment to follow The Messiah & obey The Commandments of The Most High (Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:4, Revelation 14:13).

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Why should we be Baptized?   

• Because The Messiah was Baptized.

“As for me (John), I baptized you [who came to me] with water [only]; but He (The Messiah) will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaQodesh).” In those days Yahoshua (whom the world erroneously calls Jesus) came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”

Mark 1:8-9

• Because The Messiah commanded us to also be baptized, as He was baptized.

“Yahoshua (aka Jesus) came up and said to them (His disciples), “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in THE NAME (singular) of The Father and of The Son and of Ruach HaQodesh, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.””

Matthew 28:18-20 AMP

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The Messiah was baptized. If we claim to believe His words and follow Him, we must also adhere to His instructions and example. This means we must be baptized—both in the flesh—by being immersed in water, which represents an outward expression of our obedience & faith, and in the Spirit (Ruach HaQodesh/The Holy Spirit)—through spiritual refining (fire), which is the inward manifestation of the transformation, maturation, and rebirth that comes from genuine obedience to & faith in YAH!

It is important to understand that continuing to live in sin after baptism nullifies the significance of the rite. Baptism does not mean we will never sin again, nor does it require us to be rebaptized each time we fall short. Instead, it calls us to maintain a heart and mindset aligned with our baptism. Life after baptism and a life tied to sin are entirely incompatible; they are in direct contradiction. One way of living fundamentally opposes the other

“And in Him you have been made complete [achieving spiritual stature through Messiah], and He is the head over all rule and authority [of every angelic and earthly power]. In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but by the [spiritual] circumcision of Messiah in the stripping off of the body of the flesh [the sinful carnal nature], having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of YAH, [as displayed] when He raised Messiah from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (worldliness, manner of life), YAH made you alive together with Messiah, having [freely] forgiven us all our sins,”

Colossians 2:10-13 AMP

“What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [YAH’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow? Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer? Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Messiah Jesus (corrected: Yahoshua HaMashiach) were baptized into His death? We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Messiah was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways]. For if we have become one with Him [permanently united] in the likeness of His death, we will also certainly be [one with Him and share fully] in the likeness of His resurrection.”‭‭

Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭AMP‬‬

HalleluYAH! HalleluYAH! HalleluYAH!

As we look forward to the future, it’s important to reflect on the rich history of the rite of Baptism. While John played a tremendously significant role, we must remember that the true initiator of baptism is YAH. In fact, baptism predates John by a considerable amount of time.

“For indeed Messiah died for sins once for all, the Just and Righteous for the unjust and unrighteous [the Innocent for the guilty] so that He might bring us to YAH, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit; in which He also went and preached to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the great patience of YAH was waiting in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons [Noah’s family], were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that [rescue through the flood], baptism [which is an expression of a believer’s new life in Messiah] now saves you, NOT by removing dirt from the body, but by an appeal to YAH for a good (clear) conscience, [demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Yahoshua Mashiach,”

1 Peter 3:18-21 

“For I do NOT want you to be unaware, believers, that our fathers were all under the cloud [in which YAH’s presence went before them] and they all passed [miraculously and safely] through the [Red] Sea; And all [of them] were baptized into Moses [into his safekeeping as their leader] in the cloud and in the sea;”

1 Corinthians 10:1-2

Baptism and sin do not mix, as discussed earlier in Colossians chapter two. If you have been baptized but then return to a life of sin—meaning you disobey YAH’s commandments found in His Torah (instruction)—then your baptism becomes meaningless. Just as circumcision is no better than uncircumcision if someone who is circumcised lives a life of sin (breaking YAH’s commandments), a baptized person who continues to perpetually and unrepentantly violate the Torah undermines & invalidates their baptism. Read the following verse and then read it again, replacing “circumcision” with “baptism.”

“Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, BUT what matters is keeping the commandments of YAH.” ‭‭

1 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭19‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Remember how I mentioned at the beginning of this blog how similar circumcision and baptism are? I hope that point is clear now. I hope you understand that both of these rites are important, righteous commands for us to keep. However, neither of them holds any significance if we continue to be disobedient to the Torah. I say again: living in sin (lawlessness or being Torah-less) nullifies the value of both baptism and circumcision.

“Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and SIN IS LAWLESSNESS [ignoring YAH’s law by action or neglect or by tolerating wrongdoing—being unrestrained by His commands and His will]. You know that He appeared [in visible form as a man] in order to take away sins; and in Him there is [absolutely] NO sin [for He has neither the sin nature nor has He committed sin or acts worthy of blame]. NO one who abides in Him [who remains united in fellowship with Him—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin. NO one who habitually sins has seen Him or known Him. Little children (believers, dear ones), do NOT let anyone lead you astray. The one who practices righteousness [the one who strives to live a consistently honorable life—in private as well as in public—and to conform to YAH’s precepts] is righteous, just as He is righteous. The one who practices sin [separating himself from YAH, and offending Him by acts of disobedience, indifference, or rebellion] is of the devil [and takes his inner character and moral values from him, not YAH]; for the devil has sinned and violated YAH’s law from the beginning. The Son of YAH appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of YAH [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, because YAH’s seed [His principle of life, the essence of His righteous character] remains [permanently] in him [who is born again—who is reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose]; and he [who is born again] CANNOT habitually [live a life characterized by] sin, because he is born of YAH and longs to please Him.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭9‬ ‭AMP‬‬

We should be baptized in the flesh and circumcised in the flesh, but the more important matter is to be in right standing with YAH in spirit and truth. This means we must be baptized and circumcised in our hearts and spirits. We are called to obey YAH’s commandments (His Torah) and to maintain our faith in The Messiah as we follow Him as our Savior & King. We must read, understand, and meditate on Revelation 14:12. Additionally, always remember this:

“And in this same way David speaks of the blessing on the one to whom YAH credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed and happy and favored are those whose lawless acts have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered up and completely buried. “Blessed and happy and favored is the man whose sin YAH will not take into account nor charge against him.” [Psalm 32:1-2] Is this blessing only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” How then was it credited [to him]? Was it after he had been circumcised, or before? Not after, but while [he was] uncircumcised. He received the sign of circumcision, a seal or confirmation of the righteousness which he had by faith while [he was still] uncircumcised—this was so that he would be the [spiritual] father of all who believe without being circumcised—so that righteousness would be credited to them, and [that he would be] the [spiritual] father of those circumcised who are not only circumcised, but who also walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had before he was circumcised.”‭‭

Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭12‬ ‭AMP‬‬—Whenever faith is mentioned in Scripture, keep this in mind. https://www.ancient-hebrew.org/definition/faith.htm#:~:text=The%20Hebrew%20word%20for%20faith,one%20who%20%22supports%20God%22.

It is important to recognize that “non-believers”—individuals from various religious backgrounds or none at all—perform their own versions of baptisms and circumcisions. This highlights that the significance of these rites must extend beyond mere tradition and culture; it’s more than skin deep, it is deeper than just surface-level practices. These rites should never be reduced to medical procedures for cleanliness & convenience, or concerns about personal feelings and appearances related to physical & emotional cleanliness. Instead, they must fundamentally focus on loving our Father, obeying His commandments, and uniting with Him as He instructs us. Living in covenant with Him is essential! If we truly love the Father, we must adhere to His commandments. Baptism, like circumcision, is one of those commandments that we must keep and teach properly, in both spirit and truth.

“For the [true] love of God (YAH) is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are NOT difficult [to obey].”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey MY commandments.”‭‭

John‬ ‭14‬:‭15‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“IF you keep MY commandments and obey MY teaching, you will remain in MY love, just as I have kept MY Father’s commandments and remain in HIS love. I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.”

John‬ ‭15‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

DEAR READER, I have a serious question for you to answer now: Have you, in spirit & truth, been baptized into the newness of life in YAH, in the name of Yahoshua (which means YAH is Salvation/The Salvation of YAH)? If your answer is no, here is another question for you:

“NOW, WHY DO YOU DELAY? Get up and BE BAPTIZED, and wash away your sins by calling on the name of YAH.”‬‬

Acts‬ ‭22‬:‭16 AMP

I echo the call above: Do not delay. Desire and seek to be baptized as soon as possible! Get up, find some water, bring along another who lives set apart in agreement with Revelation 14:12, and “be baptized”! You don’t need a pastor, and you don’t need “special water”; you only need a solid and sincere understanding along with a full belief, with all your heart, that Yahoshua HaMashiach is the Son of YAH (read Acts 8:26-39). If the person you bring along with you has also not yet been baptized, you can baptize each other, one after the other. It’s just that simple—be baptized! If you were baptized before, in a church or elsewhere, and you want to be baptized according to Scripture and in spirit & truth, then—be baptized! If you cannot get to a river, lake, or sea, find a pool or fill a tub and—be baptized; you and anyone else who will join—be baptized! Immerse yourself under the water, which symbolizes dying to self and sin, and rise into new life in YAH and His righteousness! What are you waiting for? Live for YAH today! Obey Him while you have time and opportunity.

“Seek YAH while He may be found; Call on Him [for salvation] while He is near. Let the wicked leave (behind) his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to YAH, And He will have compassion (mercy) on him, And to our Elohim, For He will abundantly pardon.”

Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Regardless of who you are or how you found this blog, remember that YAH, our Elohim, is inviting you, He is calling you to embrace a renewed life with Him. Respond to His call by walking in His ways, obeying His commands, and loving Him with all your heart and being.

“And now, Yisra’ĕl, what is יהוה (YAH) your Elohim asking of you, but to fear יהוה (YAH) your Elohim, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve יהוה your Elohim with all your heart and with all your being, to guard the commands of יהוה and His laws which I command you today for your good? And you shall circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and harden your neck no more (don’t be hardheaded anymore).”

Deḇarim (Deuteronomy)‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬-‭13‬, ‭16‬ ‭TS2009‬‬

“Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy grain and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost [simply accept it as a gift from YAH]. [Rev 21:6, 7; 22:17] “Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, And your earnings for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight in abundance. [Jer 31:12-14] “Incline your ear [to listen] and come to Me; Hear, so that your soul may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies [promised and] shown to David. [2 Sam 7:8-16; Acts 13:34; Heb 13:20]”‭‭

Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ AMP‬‬

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Now, Let Go Further Into The Deep End: Baptism, Cleansing, And Purification Throughout Scripture

Baptism Was Not A New Concept

Many people assume baptism began with John The Baptist or with the ministry of Yahoshua. But the concept of washing, cleansing, immersion, purification, and sanctification through water is written about throughout the entirety of Scripture.

Hebrews understood that uncleanness separated a person from fellowship, worship, holiness, and covenant life. Because, YAH repeatedly gave instructions concerning washing, cleansing, and purification in His Torah!

These cleansing, these washings with water were not merely about physical hygiene. They also represented spiritual cleansing, repentance, obedience, renewal, and sanctification.

By the time John began immersing people in the Jordan river, the people already understood the symbolic meaning behind washing and purification.

Hebrew Understanding Behind Baptism

As we already pointed out, the modern English word “baptism” often loses the depth of the Hebrew connections behind it. Several Hebrew words help explain what baptism truly represents:

Rachats רחץ: To Wash, Bathe, Cleanse

This Hebrew word is used repeatedly in the earlier books in Scripture regarding purification.

Examples:

“And he shall wash his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even.”
— Leviticus 15:5

“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes…”
— Isaiah 1:16

Notice how the physical washing and spiritual cleansing are connected together.

Taher טהר: To Be Clean, Pure, Purified

This word relates directly to purification from uncleanness.

Examples:

“Create in me a clean heart, O Elohim…”
— Psalm 51:10

“Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean…”
— Ezekiel 36:25

This is one of the clearest prophetic connections to spiritual cleansing associated with water and the renewing work of the Ruach.

Mikveh/Miqveh מקוה: Gathering Of Water

This word refers to a collection or gathering of water and became associated with immersion for purification.

Genesis Usage

“And the gathering together of the waters called He Seas…”
— Genesis 1:10

The concept later developed into ritual immersion pools of water used for purification in obedience to Torah. This shows immersion practices already existed among the Hebrews long before the first century.

Cleansing Through Water In The Torah

Priests Washed Before Worship

Before entering sacred service, the priests had to wash and cleanse themselves.

Exodus 30:18–21

Aaron and his sons were commanded to wash their hands and feet before ministering, lest they die.

This demonstrates that approaching YAH required cleansing.

Entire Body Washings For Uncleanness

Throughout Leviticus and Numbers, immersion and washing were repeatedly commanded after various forms of uncleanness and sin.

Examples

• Leviticus 14 — cleansing from leprosy
• Leviticus 15 — bodily discharges
• Leviticus 16 — Day of Atonement washings
• Numbers 19 — purification after contact with death

Repeatedly the pattern is:

1. Uncleanness occurs and leads to separation
2. Washing is required
3. Waiting/restoration follows
4. Re-entry into the congregation becomes possible

This pattern mirrors repentance and spiritual restoration.

Water And Spiritual Renewal In The Prophets

The early prophets began showing that outward washing alone was insufficient. YAH desired inward cleansing from sin and uncleanliness.

Isaiah 1:16–18

“Wash you, make you clean…”

The washing becomes connected with:

• ceasing evil
• learning righteousness
• repentance

Ezekiel 36:25–27

This passage is one of the strongest prophetic foundations for immersion and spiritual rebirth.

“Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean…”

Notice the progression:

1. Clean water
2. Cleansing from idols
3. A new heart
4. A new spirit
5. YAH’s Spirit within His people
6. Walking in His statutes

This is extremely important because it connects:

• water
• cleansing
• Ruach Haqodesh
• obedience to Torah

all together.

The Word Of YAH As Cleansing Water

Scripture also connects cleansing with the Word itself.

Psalm 119:9

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

John 15:3

Yahoshua said:

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

The Word washes the mind, heart, and conduct.

Ephesians 5:26

“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”

This beautifully joins together:

• water
• cleansing
• sanctification
• the spoken Word

Yohanan’s Baptism Was A Call To Repentance

When Yohanan appeared immersing in the Jordan, he was calling the people back to covenant faithfulness.

Mark 1:4

“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

His immersion symbolized:

• repentance
• confession
• cleansing
• preparation
• returning to YAH

This fit perfectly within the Hebrew understanding already established in Torah and the Prophets.

Yahoshua And Living Water

Yahoshua deepened the meaning even further.

John 7:37–39

Yahoshua connected living water with the Ruach Haqodesh.

This reveals that true cleansing is not merely external.

The believer must be:

• washed
• renewed
• spiritually transformed
• filled with the Ruach

Born Of Water And Spirit

John 3:5

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of Elohim.”

This statement would have immediately reminded Nicodemus of:

• Ezekiel 36
• purification imagery
• covenant cleansing
• spiritual renewal

Yahoshua was not inventing a brand new theology. He was revealing the fullness of what the Scriptures had already foreshadowed.

Baptism And Death To The Old Life

Immersion also symbolizes burial and resurrection.

Romans 6:3–4

Believers are buried with Messiah through immersion and raised into newness of life.

This perfectly matches the broader Scriptural theme:

• uncleanness removed
• old life left behind
• renewed covenant walk begins

Cleansing Requires Repentance And Obedience

Scripture consistently teaches that washing without repentance is meaningless.

Jeremiah 4:14

“O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness…”

Psalm 51:2

“Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”

True cleansing involves:

• repentance
• turning back to YAH
• obedience
• faith
• inward transformation

Not merely getting wet.

The Full Picture Of Baptism

Biblically, immersion represents:

• cleansing from uncleanness
• repentance from sin
• returning to covenant obedience
• sanctification
• preparation for worship
• spiritual renewal
• death to the old life
• resurrection into newness
• receiving the Ruach Haqodesh
• being washed by the Word of YAH

From Torah to the Prophets to Yahoshua and the apostles, the theme remains consistent:

YAH desires a people who are both outwardly and inwardly clean.

Water alone does not save.

But the washing symbolizes the deeper work of repentance, faith, obedience, cleansing, and transformation that YAH performs within His people through His Word and His Ruach.

What Shall You Do?

And if you’re unsure what to say during a baptism, you can say something like this (as a “repeat after me”, or by yourself):

I confess that Yahoshua is the Son of YAH Elohim, and I am baptized in the name of Yahoshua, through the power of Ruach HaQodesh, into a new of life in YAH! HalleluYAH! Amein!

Until next time, shalom ✌🏾
~Yahrahn
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And since I shared some videos of false baptisms, here are some examples of righteous ones.

https://fb.watch/vQW3vqmM9D/?mibextid=cr9u03

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