In Italy there is a river called the Rubicon which is famous for the fact that Julius Caesar crossed that river with his army in 49 BC. Today, “crossing the Rubicon” is a metaphor which means to take an irrevocable step that commits one to a specific course of action. Once they had crossed the river they were committed to waging war because to retreat back across the river would have been impossible. Historians say that Caesar was anxious about crossing the river because he knew he was passing a point of no return.
If you’re contemplating baptism today and are not somewhat nervous then you may not comprehend the step that you are taking. Have you ever known of a bride that was not nervous on her wedding day? Why would she be nervous? Because she is yielding her body and her life to this man who is to be her husband. Of course in the matter of baptism in Yahshua’s name we know that we are being bound to a perfect Husband / Protector / Provider but our anxiety is about the question of our worthiness. Of course the wedding itself is not the completion of the relationship but really the beginning. Wedding ceremonies are done publicly because they are an open demonstration to be witnessed by friends and family to solidify this commitment.
Actually the word “baptism” comes from the Hebrew concept of “mikvah”. There were many reasons for a mikvah as spelled out in the torah which we now recognize to have hygienic benefits. Some people have said that “cleanliness is next to Godliness” but I would suggest that cleanliness is Godliness. What we are desiring is cleanliness of soul, mind and body. I have read that through history when Jewish people came into a new area to start a community, the first thing that would build would be a place to facilitate mikvahs. Of course most of us who have access to abundant water bathe everyday, but not everyone has that opportunity today, but much less so in the preceding 5,900 years of the world’s existence.
So when John the Baptist (Immerser) came along, he was preaching a specific type of mikvah. A “mikvah of repentance.” This symbolic act was actually a step of obedience, a public announcement like a wedding ceremony or like crossing the Rubicon.
When a couple lives together without being married it’s a sign of a lack of commitment to the relationship. On the other hand some couples have what they call an open marriage in which they love their “significant other” but they also have other less significant others that they are intimate with when they feel inclined. The reality is that, without realizing it, many people are trying to have an open relationship with Yahshua. The first of the ten commandments is to not have any other Elohim beside (in addition to) Him. Some people say they are for God and country. That’s like saying they are for God and spaghetti.
Of course we have obligations to our family, friends, neighbors and enemies who we are commanded to love, but these relationships must pale in comparison to even our closest companion who sticks closer than a brother.
The Apostle Paul said in Romans 6 that we are baptized into Yahshua the Messiah and are baptized into His death. Then as the Messiah was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father we too should walk in newness of life. Because if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection. So now we are told not to let sin have dominion over us. ` In Romans 8, Paul says “If the spirit of Him that raised Yahshua from the dead dwell in you, He that raised Yahshua from the dead shall also quicken (energize) your mortal bodies by His spirit that dwells in you.”
In Acts chapter 8 the Ethiopian eunuch had traveled all the way to Jerusalem to worship but he needed help to grasp the meaning of Isaiah 53 and Philip was there to minister to him as he was traveling down the road in his chariot. Philip knew that Yahshua was the missing piece of the puzzle so he introduced him to the savior. “Coincidentally” there was a pool of water nearby and Philip asked if there was any reason for him not to be baptized. Notice that Philip didn’t require him to take a six week discipleship class but they stopped the chariot and both of them went down into the water and Philip baptized the eunuch on the spot.
Cornelius and his whole family were baptized after their dramatic conversion as described in Acts chapter 10. The jailer in Acts 16:27 went from contemplating suicide to baptism in the middle of the night. When he saw the miraculous opening of the prison doors and the fact that no one had escaped he was overwhelmed with awe. He took Paul and Silas to his home and woke up his family to hear the story. Then the members of the family were baptized, before they set down to a meal, all before daylight came.
In Mark 16:15,16 baptism is equated with believing the gospel. He said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” It’s not about believing in Yahshua the Messiah, it’s about believing Him.
So, today if you hear His voice don’t harden your heart but let Him lead you on the pathway of life and peace.