Baptism - A Study Purpose      The purpose of this study is to prepare those interested in baptism with a foundational understanding of the institution of immersion.       Baptism is first dealt with in detail in Matthew 3:5-12.  "People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.  Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him [John the Baptist] in the Jordan River.  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them:  'You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  And do not think to say within yourselves, We have Abraham as our Father.  I tell you that out of these stones Yahweh can raise up children for Abraham.  The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.  I baptize you with water for repentance.  But after me will come one who is more powerful than I [Yahshua the Messiah], whose sandals I am not fit to carry.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.'"      John's message of repentance because of the impending Kingdom's coming brought about changed attitudes in people.  Several key elements are to be found in this introductory Scripture. Baptism is preceded by hearing the word, followed by repentance (a word which literally means "to think again").   Confession of past sins demonstrates this changed attitude.   Water immersion signifies a changed and repentant attitude.   One greater than John would bring a better baptism, which will be a baptism with: a) Holy Spirit b) Fire        Yahshua Himself builds upon these basic principles in Matthew 28:19-20, commanding the Apostles to make disciples of all nations.  The Apostle Peter included these elements in his discourse in Acts 2:36-41.      It is critical for a period of self examination to take place before making the commitment of baptism into Yahshua's Body.  You cannot confess that which you do not recognize to be sin.  Sin is what separates us from the presence of Yahweh, and causes Him to hide His face from us.  This sin, or transgression of Yahweh's eternal Law, distorts the true nature and character of the Heavenly Father in man.  This distortion (or corruption) originated when Satan fell through pride (Ezekiel 28:16-18).      Through his influence Satan led a willing Adam into sin in the Garden of Eden.  Yahshua's sacrifice removes the stigma of that sin which has continued up to the present time.  Once we prepare our hearts to accept the forgiveness of all that lays in our past, we then have the way (through a humble and contrite heart) to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  We then become personally responsible directly to our Mediator Yahshua the Messiah for our actions.  The power of the Holy Spirit within will make overcoming the carnal human nature possible.      Romans chapter 6 is key to grasping the gravity of the baptism topic.  Verses 3 and 4 give a clear illustration of the meaning of baptism to the modern believer.  Those who are baptized into Yahshua's Body are baptized into His death.  The distinguishing difference between Yahshua and the rest of humanity is that Yahshua never allowed His carnal nature to spring to life, whereas the rest of us have all done so and must therefore put it to death through baptism.  This is why John the Baptist had the interchange with Yahshua that he did in Matthew 3:13-15.  While Yahshua Himself did not need baptism, He submitted to it in order that the pattern would be established for the rest of us to follow.      Baptism likewise signifies a cleansing.  Hebrews (:11-28, especially verses 14 & 22 makes clear that the outward act of baptism is employed by Yahweh to affect an inner change to our consciences through the knowledge of Yahshua's blood sacrifice for our sins.  He died so that we can live forever.  His death took away the penalty for the sins committed under the Old Covenant,  (Verse 15).  That act of bearing sin enables you and I to stand and participate in the events described in 2 Corinthians 3:16-18.Baptism demonstrates also the message of reconciliation which Yahshua ha commissioned us to take to the world.  His express purpose is to reconcile all of creation to Himself (1 Corinthians 15, and Hebrews 2:7-10)  He has broken down the dividing wall of hostility (or flesh i.e. carnal nature Ephesians 2:14-18 and Hebrews 10:19-24).      According to Hebrews 10:22-24, the end goal desired by Yahweh through this act of baptism is to see us living on earth as does He in the heavens.      We must necessarily reverence the Word of Yahweh and demonstrate that reverence by a changed, humble attitude, an attitude which will open the way for the Holy Spirit to enter and possess us fully, causing us to develop into the stature of the fullness of the Messiah.  It is taking wrong even when we don't deserve it.  It is allowing the Spirit of the living Elohim to reveal greater truths to us, and utilizing those truths as a means to keeping our perspective on eternity as the guide for our daily actions.  Baptism is a demonstration of our love to Yahweh for sending His Son into the World. HalleluYah!