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NASB | Matthew 7:13 ¶ "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 7:13 ¶ "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. |
Bible Question: Hank,Mark, etc.: because Jesus was baptized, baptism was already instituted. What were the origins of Baptism? Did it START with John (ref: "the baptism of John...et al.) or was it a Hebrew tradition at the time? |
Bible Answer: As with most Christian practices and beliefs, the background of baptism lies in practices of the Jewish community. The Greek word baptizo "immerse, dip, submerge" is used metaphorically in Isaiah 21:4 (Greek Septuagint) to mean "go down, perish" and in 2 Kings 5:14 for Naaman's dipping in the Jordan river seven times for cleansing from his skin disease. At some point close to the time of Jesus, Judaism began a heavy emphasis on ritual washings to cleanse from impurity. This goes back to priestly baths prior to offering sacrifices (Lev.16:4-24). Probably shortly before the time of Jesus, Jews began baptizing Gentile converts, though circumcision still remained the primary entrace rite into Judaism. --Excerpted in part from Holman Bible Dictionary. --Hank |