The Mystery of Immersion | Exploring Its Hebraic Roots
Today, many ask about baptism and immersion. Specifically, what’s the difference between them, and why is immersion such a powerful experience?
To fully grasp the power and peace that immersion brings, we go all the way back to Genesis to better understand what it actually is…
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”—Genesis 1:1-2
Immersion in Hebrew is mikvah—which means the collection or gathering of water.
Through the creation story, we read about God’s intentional creativity as He forms the earth. We see His powerful and transforming Spirit hover above the waters. The waters hovered over—or rather, the earth was immersed in the water—before we could inhabit this planet.
The earth needed to be completely saturated with the Spirit before it could “step” into its assignment—to reflect God and provide for us. Can’t the same be said for us before we step into our calling?
How are we to step into our divine destiny as a royal priesthood if the Spirit does not fully immerse us?
The truth is, apart from God, no fruit is produced—our calling cannot be fulfilled.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”—John 15:4-5
What is your assignment?
According to Jesus, all Believers have a calling in His Kingdom. We’ve all been given an assignment…
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”—Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)
Now, let’s read that same scripture in Complete Jewish Bible version:
“Yeshua [Jesus] came and talked with them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim [students or disciples], immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh [Holy Spirit], and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age’.”—Matthew 28:18-20 (CJB)
How does the assignment start?
We use immersion to promote us into our assignment. Here’s why…
Looking through biblical history, we see over and over again revival and healing happening at a meeting by the water (see John 9:1-11, how Jesus healed the blind man with water at the pool of Siloam).
Mikveh, or immersion, is not a new concept. Immersion was part of Jewish culture and was often performed during ceremonies for cleansing, repentance, and conversion.
But as Believers today, when we go into the water connected to our roots and with deeper understanding of immersion, we emerge as a “morning star.”
“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…”—2 Peter 1:19
That star is the light of Jesus that resides in us!
Want to know the best way to start your divine assignment?
Follow your Savior’s example…
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’
“But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him.
“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”—Matthew 3:13-17 (NKJV)
Now, let’s take a look at that scripture in Complete Jewish Bible version:
“Then Yeshua came from the Galil [Galilee] to the Yarden [Jordan] to be immersed by Yochanan [John]. But Yochanan [John] tried to stop him. ‘You are coming to me? I ought to be immersed by you!’ However, Yeshua [Jesus] answered him, ‘Let it be this way now, because we should do everything righteousness requires.’ Then Yochanan [John] let him. As soon as Yeshua [Jesus] had been immersed, he came up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, he saw the Spirit of God coming down upon him like a dove, and a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; I am well pleased with him.’”—Matthew 3:13-17 (CJB)
Yes, Jesus’ immersion was about being obedient to the Father but, like anything in the Bible, you need to read and study the scriptures as a whole—Old and New Testament both. Understanding the Jewish roots of Christianity opens your eyes to the character of God in new ways every day. He draws you into His presence through His timeless Word, and you can walk in His ways.
Accepting Jesus as our Savior and believing He canceled your debt removes your sin, while the immersion promotes you into your destiny. Jesus didn’t need to be baptized to wash away His sin—He was sinless! Take note of what He did after His immersion; He began His assignment—changing the world through His ministry.
But before He departed to Galilee on His mission, He was tempted by the enemy. He overcame the temptation because He knew His assignment and the importance of completing it.
Does the enemy have something held against you in the Courts of Heaven, keeping you from your assignment?
Many times, Believers long for a promotion that will further the Kingdom of God. But there always seems to be something blocking it…
This promotion could be detained due to a case the adversary has against you. You need to step into the Courts of Heaven by the blood of Jesus and cancel any charges against you that are contrary to the Word of God.
When immersion follows this prophetic prayer, the Spirit washes over you—saturating you with an anointing for His Kingdom.
Immersion brings revelation…
Let’s look again at Genesis 1. After the Spirit of God hovered over the water…
“Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.”—Genesis 1:3-5
Immersion ushers in the light. Jesus is the Light! Coming out of the water, darkness is separated, and light shines through. Jesus experienced something similar after His immersion—the descending of the Spirit.
Recently, many Believers have found immersion to be a realignment with the Spirit that sets the foundation for a promotion.
They are intentionally seeking the roots of their faith and putting them into practice, not as a form of legalism but as a way to grow in their relationship with the Lord and fully experience Him.
