“‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My tabernacle that is among them.”
Leviticus 15:31
The “thus” refers to washing with water (immersion ). This issue is that men/women in the process of living defile everything (?).
Application: NT believers should also understand the OT implications of the act of immersion—a “clean” that facilitates “return.”
PS: Born again at 38, the tradition was not inculcated in a child too young to comprehend. But, the traditional statement of what I did in a pool of water in Southern California in the Summer of ‘95 was: “an outward display of an inward decision.”
True and valid. But completely lacking in biblical backstory. So a “process” partly understood.
Don’t feel bad, brother I did it like five times growing up, but now even if it’s in private, it’s a very mental reminder of my place in his Grace. It becomes a beautiful with substance. 🙏
Think of it this way, not as an act, but as an intimate getting back on track. Not necessarily for public display, it’s a reset especially during hard times.
Thank you Sergio!! I just had a conversation about this with a Catholic friend who believes you must be baptized to enter Heaven. If I shared this great piece of yours with her, she would become angry. Catholics are the hardest nuts to crack.
So, I am Presbyterian. We baptize as a sacrament on entry to the church writ large. We include babies and children among those who are eligible for baptism. Personally, I believe excluding them is horrible and misses the point, in a larger sense, that you cite from Ezekiel entirely. We also permit adults to be baptized when becoming new members if they have no record of a prior baptism.
Taking a whack at this, Sergio:
“‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My tabernacle that is among them.”
Leviticus 15:31
The “thus” refers to washing with water (immersion ). This issue is that men/women in the process of living defile everything (?).
Application: NT believers should also understand the OT implications of the act of immersion—a “clean” that facilitates “return.”
Close?
Nailed it!
PS: Born again at 38, the tradition was not inculcated in a child too young to comprehend. But, the traditional statement of what I did in a pool of water in Southern California in the Summer of ‘95 was: “an outward display of an inward decision.”
True and valid. But completely lacking in biblical backstory. So a “process” partly understood.
Don’t feel bad, brother I did it like five times growing up, but now even if it’s in private, it’s a very mental reminder of my place in his Grace. It becomes a beautiful with substance. 🙏
So I’m clear: It is intended to be repeated?
Think of it this way, not as an act, but as an intimate getting back on track. Not necessarily for public display, it’s a reset especially during hard times.
Thank you Sergio!! I just had a conversation about this with a Catholic friend who believes you must be baptized to enter Heaven. If I shared this great piece of yours with her, she would become angry. Catholics are the hardest nuts to crack.
You are not wrong!
So, I am Presbyterian. We baptize as a sacrament on entry to the church writ large. We include babies and children among those who are eligible for baptism. Personally, I believe excluding them is horrible and misses the point, in a larger sense, that you cite from Ezekiel entirely. We also permit adults to be baptized when becoming new members if they have no record of a prior baptism.
Yes, all too common, my friend, but thank you for commenting. I'm going to add it to my notes. 🙏
Curious what a practical application of Mikvah would look like in our modern lives?
It’s about deep intentional cleansing — water, the right heart, maybe on your knees in that moment. Teshuvah made physical. Less ritual, more sincere.
Could be in the shower, the ocean, a river. A place where your heart wants to make right with God. Not out of guilt. Out of teshuvah. 🙏💙