10-08-2008, 12:34 AM
For the formal answer from Jews For Jesus proper, might I suggest reading this article: Baptism—Pagan or Jewish?
Quote:
Jewish Proselyte Baptism Compared with New Covenant Baptism
While in many aspects the symbolism of New Covenant baptism coincides with the symbolism of proselyte baptism, there are some important differences, especially in their respective roles. Maimonides listed the three requirements for Gentile proselytes to Judaism as circumcision, baptism and sacrifice, presumably in that order. Both Jewish and Gentile believers in the Messiah fulfill their commitment of faith in all three of these requirements. But they do it in a different order, and in a different way.
In New Covenant faith, sacrifice comes first. Because he recognized that the Jewish people have no place of sacrifice since the destruction of the Holy Temple, Maimonides temporarily waived this requirement until such time as the Temple should be rebuilt. But Maimonides failed to realize that God never waived that requirement for atonement through sacrifice. Indeed, that is why he sent the Messiah before the Temple was destroyed, so that Messiah could atone for sin once and for all—so that all who believed in him would not be left without an acceptable sacrifice for sin.
While in many aspects the symbolism of New Covenant baptism coincides with the symbolism of proselyte baptism, there are some important differences, especially in their respective roles. Maimonides listed the three requirements for Gentile proselytes to Judaism as circumcision, baptism and sacrifice, presumably in that order. Both Jewish and Gentile believers in the Messiah fulfill their commitment of faith in all three of these requirements. But they do it in a different order, and in a different way.
In New Covenant faith, sacrifice comes first. Because he recognized that the Jewish people have no place of sacrifice since the destruction of the Holy Temple, Maimonides temporarily waived this requirement until such time as the Temple should be rebuilt. But Maimonides failed to realize that God never waived that requirement for atonement through sacrifice. Indeed, that is why he sent the Messiah before the Temple was destroyed, so that Messiah could atone for sin once and for all—so that all who believed in him would not be left without an acceptable sacrifice for sin.