Baptism is a significant sacrament in Christianity, symbolizing the cleansing of sins and the beginning of a new life in Christ. However, some scholars argue that the ritual of baptism may have pagan associations that predate the Christian practice. One theory suggests that the Christian practice of baptism may have derived from ancient pagan purification rituals. In many ancient religions, including the mystery cults of Mithras and Isis, initiation rituals involved a form of purification or washing with water. These rituals were believed to cleanse the initiate of their previous sins or impurities and prepare them for a new life or spiritual transformation. The early Christian church may have adopted this concept of purification through water when developing the sacrament of baptism.
In the cult of Cybele, a baptism of blood was practiced in the rite of the Taurobolium: where one was covered with the blood of a bull. At first this rite seems to have been to provide the initiate with greater physical vitality, but later it acquired more of a spiritual importance. A well-known inscription attests that he who has received baptism of blood has received a new birth in eternity. However, the fact that this baptism was repeated periodically shows that the idea of complete spiritual regeneration was not associated with it.
The bath preceding initiation into the cult of Isis seems to have been more than a simple ritual purification; it was probably intended to represent symbolically the initiate s death to the life of this world by recalling Osiris drowning in the Nile. Because he recognized that the Jewish people have no place of sacrifice since the destruction of the Holy Temple, Maimonides temporarily waived this requirement until such time as the Temple should be rebuilt.
The early Christian church may have adopted this concept of purification through water when developing the sacrament of baptism. Another possible pagan association with baptism is the idea of rebirth or regeneration. In many ancient pagan religions, such as the mystery cults and the Eleusinian Mysteries, initiation ceremonies often involved a symbolic death and rebirth.
Baptism. It's What Pagans Did
If you do a google search on the origins of baptism, the Christian websites populate the top searches talking about John and Jesus. But where did they get baptism from?
Have any of the Christians ever thought "Why baptism?" I mean why all of a sudden are Christians supposed to baptize each other? Why did Jesus say to John to " let us fulfill all righteousness" Mat 3:15
What was he referring to? Is it ever mentioned in the "Old Testament?"
One Christian site says, "the origins of baptism might be found in the book of Leviticus where the Levite priests were commanded to perform a symbolic cleansing in water before and after performing their priestly duties. Leviticus 16:4 tells us, “He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.”
But this is Clearly different than immersing one's entire body under water and receiving a baptism. To the Church of Christ, Mark 16:16 says you have to be baptized to be saved. I witnessed in the Church of Christ that they won't let you sleep with your boyfriend or girlfriend (refusing Communion of course for being impure) unless you've been baptized. You won't ever get an invite to sing in the magnificent Christmas caroling production either. Nor will you be allowed to refer to Darth Vader as having the "good force" in any of your sermons.
Another Christian site reveals that the practice of baptism was carried out by pre-christian religions.
"Pre-Christian Religions
The practice of baptism in pagan religions seems to have been based on a belief in the purifying properties of water. In ancient Babylon, according to the Tablets of Maklu, water was important as a spiritual cleansing agent in the cult of Enke, lord of Eridu. In Egypt, the Book of Going Forth by Day contains a treatise on the baptism of newborn children, which is performed to purify them of blemishes acquired in the womb. Water, especially the Nile's cold water, which was believed to have regenerative powers, is used to baptize the dead in a ritual based on the Osiris myth. Egyptian cults also developed the idea of regeneration through water. The bath preceding initiation into the cult of Isis seems to have been more than a simple ritual purification; it was probably intended to represent symbolically the initiate's death to the life of this world by recalling Osiris' drowning in the Nile.
In the cult of Cybele, a baptism of blood was practiced in the rite of the Taurobolium: where one was covered with the blood of a bull. At first this rite seems to have been to provide the initiate with greater physical vitality, but later it acquired more of a spiritual importance. A well-known inscription attests that he who has received baptism of blood has received a new birth in eternity. However, the fact that this baptism was repeated periodically shows that the idea of complete spiritual regeneration was not associated with it.
The property of immortality was also associated with baptism in the ancient Greek world. A bath in the sanctuary of Trophonion procured for the initiate a blessed immortality even while in this world. The mystery religions of that period often included ablution rites of either immersion or a washing of the body for the purposes of purification or initiation. Other concepts said to have been associated with these forms of cultic baptisms included the transformation of one's life, the removal of sins, symbolic representation, the attainment of greater physical vitality, a new beginning, spiritual regeneration. It is believed that all ancient religions recognized some form of spiritual cleansing, renewal or initiation that was accomplished through a washing or immersion in water."
Since there is no Old Testament Law or guidance regarding baptism, we must safely presume that baptism was a pagan practice, long before Jesus or John. This in and of itself is not surprising at this point is it? I mean Jesus mens "Hail Zeus," all the liturgy that is performed, including "Communion" is pagan, so why not baptism too right?
I found it strange after reading through the New Testament with "New" eyes that John is never recorded as healing anyone. He was supposedly the "greatest man" besides Jesus (Matthew 11:11), yet what were his accomplishments? He ate locust and honey (Mat 3:4) and lived in the desert. What else are we told? Not much, except that he was possibly offended at Jesus (Mat 11:6).
So why was he so great? I'll let you ponder that.
Back to baptism.
It is interesting that there is not only a water baptism that is looked fondly upon by Christians, but also a baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is referenced in Matthew 3:11:
"As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
So Christians are taught that a baptism of fire awaits them after they are baptized.
Hmm. Where is any of this referenced in the Old Testament? Surely Yahwuah would have said something about a baptism of fire that is coming right? Surely He would have said that fire was going to descend on someone in the future right?
But you know what? He didn't.
So if the Father did not authorize baptism, then it appears that baptism is an abomination that anyone who calls themselves a Child of Elohim should refrain from. I mean if the facts are that baptism was a pagan practice before Jesus supposedly came and died, then why would Christians desire to embrace this act? Why can they not see that the practices that Jesus, John, and Paul endorsed are purely pagan in origin?
If you've ever been involved with Baptism of the Holy Spirit, it is even more ridiculous and abominable than a water baptism. I remember one of the leaders telling a young man to prepare himself to act wildly while I was there for support. He told him it could take hours of prayer and mediation. The reward of our efforts was simply to see the man frothing and flailing around like a mad man. I remember thinking that it was just silly.
We have to ask ourselves: "Is this even Godly? To act wildly and out of control? Yet millions of people claim to have had a Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I was recently told by a man how he got a "baptism in urine" by high powered freemasons when he was a child. So if the Freemasons are doing baptisms, is this something a Christian wants to be associated with? Does this not reveal further the pagan origins of baptism?
If you research baptism on your own you will find additional information of how many satanic cults even today speak of baptizing their initiates into knowledge and light. This seems to be at the core of baptism; a pagan ritual regarding an initiation of some kind into gnostic understanding and worldly wisdom.
It seems to Me that we have discovered yet another practice and another pagan ritual that Christians deem as holy, just like Communion and the glorification of cannibalism. It seems we have found another pagan practice that found its way into the hearts of those who say they know the Father, Yahuwah.
It seems that Many need to repent.
In fact it's time for Christians to research the roots of their Hebrew faith to find out what is compatible with the New Testament and what is not. Once they do this they are going to find out that Nothing is compatible. Not the god they worship, the church they go to, nor the Bible they read.
We have different Fathers friends, different Gods.
My Elohim is Yahuwah and your god (Christians) is Zeus, the father of the pagans and their filthy rituals. Here's a video from the deceiver Benny Hinn, one of the proponents of a "baptism in fire."
Initiates would undergo a transformative experience, often symbolized by immersion in water, that would mark their new status as members of the religious community. Similarly, in Christianity, baptism is seen as a symbolic death to sin and a rebirth into a new life in Christ. Furthermore, some argue that the act of baptism itself may have pagan roots. The word "baptism" comes from the Greek word "baptizō," which means "to immerse" or "to wash." In ancient Greek and Roman society, there were various rituals that involved immersion or washing as a form of purification. These rituals were performed not only in religious contexts but also in more everyday situations such as entering a home or visiting a temple. The early Christian church may have adapted and Christianized these rituals when developing the practice of baptism. While these possible pagan associations with baptism are intriguing, it is important to note that the Christian understanding and interpretation of baptism have evolved over time. Today, baptism is primarily viewed as a Christian sacrament, symbolizing the believer's initiation into the community of faith and their spiritual rebirth through the grace of God. Regardless of any possible pagan origins, baptism continues to hold great significance in the Christian tradition..
Reviews for "Incorporating Pagan Elements in Contemporary Christian Baptism"
1. Sarah - 2 stars: I was really disappointed with "Pagan associations with baptism". As a devout Christian, I was hoping to learn more about the biblical foundations of baptism and its significance in Christianity. However, the book seemed to focus more on the historical connections between baptism and pagan rituals, which I found off-putting. I would have preferred if the author had delved deeper into the theological aspects of baptism instead.
2. Michael - 1 star: "Pagan associations with baptism" was a complete letdown. I was expecting a scholarly exploration of the topic, but instead, it felt like a biased critique of the Christian sacrament. The author seemed determined to undermine the importance of baptism in Christianity by constantly highlighting its supposed pagan connections. This approach not only lacked depth but also failed to present a balanced view on the subject. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of baptism.
3. Emma - 2 stars: I found "Pagan associations with baptism" to be poorly researched and written. While the topic itself was intriguing, the book failed to deliver on its promise. The author often relied on vague generalizations and unsubstantiated claims when discussing the connections between baptism and pagan rituals. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked engagement, making it difficult to stay interested in the subject matter. Overall, I was unimpressed with this book and would recommend looking elsewhere for a more well-rounded examination of the topic.
4. David - 1 star: I regret purchasing "Pagan associations with baptism". The book is nothing more than a conspiracy theorist's attempt to discredit the Christian sacrament of baptism. The author seemed more interested in sensationalizing the supposed pagan origins of baptism rather than providing an objective analysis. The lack of scholarly sources and references made it difficult to trust the credibility of the claims presented. This book is a prime example of misinformation and should be avoided by anyone seeking an accurate understanding of the topic.
5. Rachel - 2 stars: Although "Pagan associations with baptism" had an interesting premise, the execution fell short. The book often veered off-topic and seemed to prioritize the discussion of pagan rituals over the actual practice of baptism in Christianity. I was expecting a more balanced approach that would explore both the historical context and the religious significance of baptism. Unfortunately, this book failed to provide the comprehensive examination I was looking for and left me unsatisfied.