foundations of faith

The deepest questions of life — Why am I here?
What is my purpose?
— can only be answered by returning to the foundations God laid from the beginning. here we explore explore the core teachings of Scripture that reveals that purpose: baptism, repentance, salvation, the Kingdom of God, the law and grace, and the plan God is working
through Jesus Christ.

Patrick Shabi Patrick Shabi

THE CONCLUSION – THE HOPE WE HAVE IN WHAT WAS PROMISED TO US

Discover how the biblical concept of mikveh — first meaning “a collection of waters” and later “hope” — reveals the deeper foundations of baptism, renewal, and eternal life in Jesus Christ. This article uncovers how mikveh foreshadowed the cleansing, completeness, and living hope fulfilled in the New Testament through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. Explore the symbolism behind the six stone waterpots, the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, and the promise of eternal life “foreordained before the foundation of the world.” Learn why Jesus Christ is not only the prophesied Hope of Israel but also the believers’ living hope, and how baptism connects us to His plan, His purpose, and the coming Kingdom of God.

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Patrick Shabi Patrick Shabi

DID JESUS JUST TURN WATER INTO WINE?

The miracle of Jesus Christ turning water into wine at Cana is rich with deep biblical symbolism. The six stone water jars were ancient mikvoth used for Jewish ritual purification, linking this event to the themes of cleansing, renewal, and Old Testament mikveh traditions. By transforming purification water into wine — a symbol of His New Covenant blood — Jesus revealed His identity as the true source of spiritual cleansing, redemption, and hope. This article explores the prophetic meaning behind His first public miracle, the connection to baptism, and how Jesus’ first public sign unveils the entire plan of God, culminating in the marriage of the Lamb in Revelation.

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Patrick Shabi Patrick Shabi

THE HOPE IN JESUS CHRIST’s HEALINGS

Recent archaeological discoveries reveal that the pools of Bethesda and Siloam — where Jesus healed the lame man and the blind man — were ancient mikveh pools. These ritual baths symbolized purification and hope in Judaism, making Jesus’ miracles at these sites deeply significant. This article explores how Christ’s healings at the mikveh pools reveal Him as the true source of cleansing, restoration, and spiritual hope, fulfilling the prophetic meaning of mikveh as “the Hope of Israel.”

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Patrick Shabi Patrick Shabi

THE INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD - THE SILENT YEARS

During the 400 “silent years” between Malachi and John the Baptist, Jewish life underwent major developments — including the rise of the mikveh pool. These ritual baths, used for immersion and purification, became central to worship in Second Temple Judaism, with more than 700 discovered across Israel and dozens clustered near the Temple Mount. This article explores how the evolving meaning of mikveh — from “waters” to “hope” to ritual immersion—prepared the Jewish world for the arrival of Jesus Christ and provides essential context for understanding the origins and symbolism of baptism.

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Patrick Shabi Patrick Shabi

MIKVEH - A NEW MEANING

The Hebrew word mikveh begins in Scripture as a “collection of waters,” symbolizing cleansing and ritual purity. But as the Old Testament unfolds, mikveh takes on a deeper meaning—hope. Prophets like Ezra and Jeremiah use mikveh not for water, but to describe God Himself as “the Hope of Israel.” This article explores how the meaning of mikveh evolves from physical purification to spiritual restoration, and why understanding this transformation is essential for grasping the true symbolism of baptism.

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Patrick Shabi Patrick Shabi

THE WASHING AWAY OF SIN

Ritual washing with water is a powerful theme woven throughout the Old Testament, symbolizing purification, repentance, and readiness to enter God’s presence. From Israel’s cleansing at Sinai to the washings required for priests and everyday life, God used physical washing to teach a deeper spiritual truth. This article explores how these ancient practices point forward to the meaning of baptism, revealing why the New Testament assumes readers already understand its significance. Through the Hebrew concept of mikveh, we uncover the rich symbolism behind washing and how it prepares us to grasp the full purpose of baptism in God’s plan.

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Patrick Shabi Patrick Shabi

THE BEGINNING: THE ORIGINS OF BAPTISM

The baptism of Jesus Christ is one of the most significant events in the New Testament — recorded in three gospels and referenced in the fourth. Through this moment, God reveals Jesus as His Son and the One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. Yet baptism first appears in Scripture without explanation, leaving us to explore why its meaning is clarified later in Acts and the epistles. This article uncovers the biblical roots, cultural background, and prophetic significance of baptism, showing how Jesus’ baptism reveals a deeper part of God’s plan and what it means for believers today.

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