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A lesson on the subject of baptism is taught from the NEW AMERICAN BIBLE REVISED EDITION ( NABRE ); being entitled: THE NEW CATHOLIC ANSWER BIBLE. This version of the Holy Bible is pictured to the left. Baptism is an extremely important subject in the Holy Bible.
To begin with, Exodus 24:6-8 read as follows: "Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls; the other half he splashed on the altar. Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people, who answered, 'All that the LORD has said, we will hear and do.' Then he took the blood and splashed it on the people, saying, 'This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words.'" The above-given passage appears in the context of the ratification of the Mosaic covenant. Moreover, Hebrews 9:18-22 read as follows: "Thus not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. When every commandment had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves [and goats], together with water and crimson wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, 'This is '"the blood of the covenant which God has enjoined upon you."'' In the same way, he sprinkled also the tabernacle and all the vessels of worship with blood. According to the law almost everything is purified by blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
The phrase, "first covenant," in Hebrews 9:18 is clearly a reference to the Mosaic covenant. It is important to understand that the Mosaic covenant is not the first covenant mentioned in the Holy Bible. However, it was the first covenant to be ratified by blood and, thus, the phrase, "first covenant," is used in Hebrews 9:18.
Moreover, Mark 16:16 reads as follows: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned." Acts 2:38 reads as follows: "Peter [said] to them, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit.'" Romans 6:1-4 read as follows: "What then shall we say? Shall we persist in sin that grace may abound? Of course not! How can we who died to sin yet live in it? Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life."
According to Romans 6:3, we come in contact with the blood of Christ when we are baptized into Christ Jesus; being baptized into His death. How do we come in contact with His blood? 1 Peter 1:1, 2 read as follows: "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen sojourners of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, in the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification by the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ: may grace and peace be yours in abundance." Furthermore, Hebrews 10:22 reads as follows: "let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." The phrase, "bodies washed with pure water," in Hebrews 10:22 is clearly a reference to baptism. Thus, when we are buried with Christ Jesus through baptism into death ( recall Romans 6:4; the word "buried" indicates that baptism is by immersion in water - not sprinkling ( aspersion ) or pouring ( infusion )), there is a figurative sprinkling of the blood of Jesus that occurs. Also, since we are baptized into Christ's death, we come in contact with the blood that He shed at His death. Where did He die? On the cross of the Skull ( see Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example )). Additionally, Revelation 1:5 reads as follows: "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood." Therefore, when we are baptized into Christ Jesus, we come in contact with His blood, which frees us from our sins ( "washed us from our sins" - see Revelation 1:5; KJV, for example ). If we are not baptized into Christ Jesus, we are not freed from our sins.
The literal sprinkling of blood, by which the Mosaic covenant was ratified, is a foreshadowing of the figurative sprinkling of the blood of Christ, which occurs when we are baptized. Luke 22:19, 20 read as follows: "Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." Luke 22:19, 20 ( KJV; with center-column references ) read as follows: "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you." The word, "testament," in Luke 22:20 ( KJV; with center-column references ) has an equivalent translation, which is the word "covenant." Therefore, as the Mosaic covenant was ratified by blood, the New Testament ( new covenant ) is ratified with us, when we are baptized into Christ Jesus; coming in contact with His blood, through the figurative sprinkling of His blood that occurs during the act of baptism.
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>
NOTE: This weblog posting has shown that the sacred text of the NEW AMERICAN BIBLE REVISED EDITION ( NABRE ) version of the Holy Bible ( being entitled: THE NEW CATHOLIC ANSWER BIBLE ) can be used to effectively teach God's word ( see 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, for example ), provided that we ignore the seven Old Testament apocryphal books contained within it ( Baruch, Tobit, Judith, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Wisdom ( or Wisdom of Solomon ), and Sirach ( or Ecclesiasticus )), and reject any false teaching contained in the inserts ( labelled "A-1" through "V-4," which is what the June 4, 2012 posting to this weblog was intended to show ).
