No—baptism was not something new for the Jews during John the Baptist's time.
The Old Testament was filled with washing and cleansing rites, especially in the priesthood. Les Feldick teaches that because these washings were already familiar to Israel, John's baptism of repentance fit naturally into their existing religious understanding.
Hebrews 9:6-10 — This passage describes the 'divers washings' that were part of the Old Testament worship system, showing that cleansing rites were already familiar to Israel.
Matthew 3:1-6 — John's baptism of repentance in the Jordan is recorded here, and the wording shows Jewish people coming to be baptized.
In the Old Testament, God gave Israel a system of worship that included numerous washings. Hebrews 9:6-10 describes the priests going 'always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God' and says that the offerings and sacrifices 'stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.' When John the Baptist began his ministry, Matthew 3:5-6 says, 'Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.' These passages show that washing was not a foreign idea to the Jews.
Les Feldick teaches that baptism was not something entirely new to the Jews. He points to the Old Testament economy, where priests had to 'wash, and wash some more' to be prepared for the Day of Atonement or to enter the priesthood at age 30. This constant washing throughout the Law of Moses was meant to show Israel that sin is a filthy thing. Therefore, John's baptism of repentance drew on an existing understanding. Les also explains that when Jesus was baptized, He symbolically fulfilled the washing of the priesthood and identified Himself with His covenant people Israel. He emphasizes that John's ministry was to the covenant people of Israel only, preparing them for the coming King.
Les Feldick explains that in the Old Testament economy, priests had to wash repeatedly for the Day of Atonement and before entering the priesthood at age 30. Throughout the whole system of the Law of Moses, there was constant washing to show the mind of Israel that sin was a filthy thing. Because of this background, John's baptism of repentance was not a brand-new concept to the Jewish people.
Even though Jesus had no sin to repent of, He submitted to John's baptism. Les Feldick teaches that Jesus came to fulfill all the requirements of the priesthood, so He symbolically experienced the washing of the priesthood in the Jordan. At the same time, He identified Himself with His covenant people, the nation of Israel.
John the Baptist's ministry was directed only to the covenant people of Israel, not to Gentiles. The Jews were to repent and be baptized in preparation for the coming of their King and to become a nation of priests to take the knowledge of God to the pagan Gentiles.
John's Baptism Was Not New
Les introduces the baptism of repentance and indicates that it was not something entirely new or unexpected to the Jews—it was natural to them.
Why Was Jesus Baptized? The Answer Most People Miss
Here John, no doubt about it, maintains that if they're going to show saving faith in the fact that the King and the Kingdom is here, they would have to show that with the baptism of repentance. That's why it's always called the baptism of repentance.
Jesus' Baptism as Priesthood Washing
Jesus' baptism symbolically fulfilled the washing of the priesthood and identified Him with His covenant people Israel.
Old Testament Washing Background
Les explains that priests had to wash repeatedly for the Day of Atonement and before entering the priesthood, showing Israel that sin is filthy.
John's Ministry to Israel Only
John's baptism was for the covenant people of Israel only, preparing them for the coming King.
Why Was Jesus Baptized? The Answer Most People Miss
I took you back to Malachi, but Isaiah also speaks of John the Baptist, and he says, "...the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight." Now I'd like to have you come quickly on down to verse 6. John 3. "...and they were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
Justified by Faith Alone — What Romans 4 Really Teaches
But as John the Baptist began to preach now along with the keeping of the law, and with the bringing of the prescribed sacrifice for a salvation experience, now what did they have to do? Repent and be baptized. That was John's message, repent, now that's to the nation of Israel.
Two Baptisms Explained: What Most Christians Miss in Acts 1
Drop down again to verse 11, where we're dealing with John the Baptist, and John the Baptist says, quoted of course by Matthew by inspiration, "...I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but," there's that flip again, it's going to be a change, "...he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, he," speaking of the Christ, of the Lord Jesus, "...
Hebrews 9:6-10: Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
This passage shows that the Old Testament worship system included 'divers washings,' making cleansing rites familiar to Israel.
Matthew 3:1-6: In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
John's baptism of repentance drew Jews from Jerusalem and all Judea to be baptized in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
No. The Old Testament was filled with washing rites, especially for the priesthood. Les Feldick explains that John's baptism of repentance drew on this familiar background, so it was not something entirely new to the Jews.
Because the Law of Moses required constant washings, such as those for the priests preparing for the Day of Atonement. This ingrained in Israel the concept that sin is filthy and that cleansing is needed.
No. John's ministry was to the covenant people of Israel only. The Jews were to repent and be baptized in preparation for the coming King and to become a nation of priests.
Watch the Teaching: Gospel of the Kingdom vs. Grace: What Most People Miss