Paul's Passing Thoughts

• Words mean things (but one word can have several meanings)
• Context determines meaning

Hebrews 6 Consideration

Torah vs. the Mishnah

Jewish law concerning “Mikvah”

Rachatz is “to wash, bathe” this is only used for people.
Shataf is “to wash, rinse, overflow, engulf, rinse or wash off” and is used once in Leviticus 15 (v11) for rinsing hands.
Kabas is “to wash, to be washed out” and this is used only for things, clothes etc.

Other ritual washings mentioned in biblical and talmudic literature:

Tevilah – complete immersion
Rachatz – washing of the feet and hands and
Netilah Yadayim – washing of the hands

Genesis 1:9,  Kings 7:23, 2 Chronicles 4:2

John the Baptist – Baptism of Repentance

Mark 1:4, Matthew 3:1-12, Luke 3:3-17 (particularly 3:16)

Pruning a Vine, John 15:2-3

καθαιρω – (kath-EYE-roh) to cleanse, make clean

καθαρος – (kath-ah-ROSS) clean, especially in a ceremonial or ritual sense.

Washing the disciples’ feet, John 13:5-10

Connection between ceremonial cleansing and Holy Spirit Baptism?

Power of the Holy Ghost

The Ascension

Notes:

verse 3 – Parenthetical.  Not part of the main thought, but give us insight into something mentioned in the main thought.

–          Being able to identify parentheticals is key to proper biblical study.

–          What is this parenthetical referencing?

Apostle vs. Disciple

αποστολος “ah-PAHS-tah-los”, a delegate or an ambassador.  Verb, αποστελω “ah-pah-STELL-oh”, to set apart or send out.  “Sent ones”.

–          Witnesses!  “…showed himself alive…”

–          Kingdom of God

• Gospel!
• Jesus message was the Gospel of the Kingdom!
  • Matthew 4:23, 9:35; Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 24:14

• Parables – “The Kingdom of God is like…”

Function of the Holy Ghost (John 16:12-15)

Promise of the Holy Ghost – Baptism

βαπτιζω “bap-tid-zoh”,  βαπτω “bap-toh”, to dip, to immerse, to submerge.  Used in the context of dying fabrics.

βαπτισθησεσθε       εν         πνευματι        αγιω

bap-tis-thay-ses-theh en    nyou-ma-tee hag-ee-oh

shall(will) be         in,           spirit            holy

dipped, immersed,   by

submerged

Power of the Holy Ghost

The Ascension

Notes: