Baptism: Dead Sea Scrolls

There is nothing about baptism in the Old Testament. So it is striking that some of the Dead Sea Scrolls refer to purification rites which closely resemble New Testament baptism.

Like baptism in the New Testament, the purification rites in the Dead Sea Scrolls are an expression of inward repentance. This is evident, for instance, from the following quotation from the Community Rule:

“And by the compliance of his soul with all the laws of God his flesh is cleansed by being sprinkled with cleansing waters and being made holy with the waters of repentance. May he, then, steady his steps in order to walk with perfection on all the paths of God.” (III,8-10)

For the disciples of John and Jesus, baptism was a unique event. But in the Dead Sea Scrolls it is an act that has to be regularly repeated.