Acts 1: 5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
John was part of the Old Testament and the many diverse washings (baptismos in Greek) that we’re to be done away and we’re imposed upon the Jews until the time of reformation.
But the Jewish believers needed time to come out of the old. They still were following the whole law zealously, going into the temple with the sacrifices abd priests and circumcision, Andy kept all the customs (Halakah law oral traditions as well). As we see in scripture. Read Acts 15 and 21. ,
This was all told long ago in scripture but many seem to have missed these truths for centuries . Even though they are right there in the text .
Acts 21: 17. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. 19. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother
, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 21. And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. 22. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. 23. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; 24. Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. 25. As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. 26. Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purifcation, until that an
offering should be offered for every one of them.”
So when we see a Jewish believer in Acts water baptizing or sacrificing animals or circumcision as Paul did to Timothy (Acts 26), we can understand that that was a transition for the Jews who were in a time of reformation. Not for all people (themselves or Gentiles). God is patient and gave a time for this.
Hebrews 9: 9. Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10. Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers
washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them
until the time of reformation.”
The word “washings” is
baptismos- from
907; ablution (ceremonial or Christian):--baptism, washing
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