Baptism

CHAPTER TWO
DOCTRINES OF BAPTISMS
Heb. 6:1-2 "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine
of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the
foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith
toward God," (2) "Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying
on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal
judgment."
The elementary teachings of Christ were assumed to be known to the
Hebrews. These are found directly in the Torah both written and oral. The
verse mentions six of these, which refers to Christ as symbolism. Among
them is the doctrine of baptisms (plural). These were considered elementary
because these were supposed to be known to every Hebrew. Essentially the
law consists of both the written laws (The Five books of Moses) and the oral
traditions handed down through generations. As the dispersion continued the
oral traditions changed to some extend because of varying cultural
circumstances. Around third century these oral traditions were written down
by Rabbi Yehuda which is known as Mishna. Talmud is an expansion of the
Mishna giving details of these rituals.
We find details of the doctrine of baptisms in these traditions that will give us
an insight into many of the problems associated with baptism. Some of these
are incorporated in the following. They are intricately joined together.
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