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Shirley H
Supporter
Many Jews, especially Pharisees, believed that they would enter the Kingdom of God because they were descendants from Abraham. John declared that this was not so! John said you must repent and be baptized. Water baptism signified a break with sin, and a cleansing from sin. This, however was different from the Levitical washings. The Levitical washing (Day of Atonement) brought restoration to a former condition. John's baptism prepared the person for a new condition. The Jews only baptized Gentiles. (Otherwise known as dogs) But John called the Jews to be baptized. John's baptism was a baptism of water only. It was in preparation for the Messianic baptism of the Holy Spirit anticipated by the prophets. Read Leviticus chapter 16 tor the ritual of the Day of Atonement.
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