Kevin
Puritan Board Doctor
BTW I DO ASSUME that Johns baptism is included in the OT washings. WHY NOT?
Mark points to John's ministry as the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Mar 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
Mar 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Mar 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Mar 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Sorry Brian but I can't see how that justifies a new sacrament that exists only for the months of Johns ministry.
If you are correct then the heresy investigation commission that came to check him out would have had evidence that he was violating the OT rituals. This was a capital crime & his enemies certaily did not lack the motivation to try & convict.