John's baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?

[Mr.Ex_Nihilo]

The title says it all…

 

[bpbasilphx]

And your point is…???

Actually, John did not invent baptism. The Jewish Rite of Mikveh (ritual immersion) was and still is used for many things, INCLUDING the reception of converted Gentiles (of any age, including infants) into Judaism.

Note I said, “including infants”. Gentile infants of EITHER sex must be immersed in the Mikveh for the conversion to be official. So, as you see, infant baptism was not something that nasty ole pope feller thought up, but was practiced in pre-Christian Judaism.

 

[Mr.Ex_Nihilo]

And your point is…???

Actually, John did not invent baptism. The Jewish Rite of Mikveh (ritual immersion) was and still is used for many things, INCLUDING the reception of converted Gentiles (of any age, including infants) into Judaism.

Note I said, “including infants”. Gentile infants of EITHER sex must be immersed in the Mikveh for the conversion to be official. So, as you see, infant baptism was not something that nasty ole pope feller thought up, but was practiced in pre-Christian Judaism.

When did I say infant baptism was something that nasty ole pope feller thought up?

I’m Catholic bpbasilphx. Did you even look at my profile?

The question I quoted comes from Matthew 21:25 by the way…

Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The question can be found in Mark 11:30 and Luke 20:4 too.

Acts 1:21-23 seems to answer this question too.

PS: If you’re Orthodox, then you probably already know the answer to this question and I think we are already in agreement too