Lesson 670

(Lesson 670)(06-18-13) Somehow I skipped one of the most important applications of a form of the term "baptize" that can be found anywhere in the New Testament. Today we will go back and analyze that application within the "great commission", found in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

The term "baptizing", as applied in this quote has nothing to do with water. There is NOTHING in the context of Jesus' statement that would imply the use of water as a medium into which this baptism was intended.

Jesus clearly says, "baptizing them IN (into) the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:" The word "in" that is used in this commandment comes from the original Greek term eiIv, or transliterated "eis", which Strong's bible dictionary defines as: "into, unto, to, towards, for, among"

This statement does NOT imply an immersion into water into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost! It clearly says immerse them INTO the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Those whom we teach are to be placed within, or to be made a part of, the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Jesus goes on in this quote to explain exactly how we are to "baptize" them, He says it is by "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:" We are to immerse the willing lost into the sanctity of the name, or the concept of, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost by teaching, or immersing them into the doctrine of Jesus Christ crucified.

The phrase, "the name of" as it is applied in the written Greek language of the time, obviously defines something that can be preached, as evidenced by what Philip was said to have done in Acts 8:12, "But when they believed Philip PREACHING the things concerning the kingdom of God, AND THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, they were baptized, both men and women." When these people believed the gospel preached by Philip, they were saved through immersion into THE NAME (complete concept, of doctrine) OF JESUS CHRIST.

Again, there is NO reference to water immersion ("baptism") implied by the use of the term "baptizing" as it is found in Matthew 28:19, the context simply does not allow it.

If there are any parts of this lesson that need further clarification, please just let me know, I'll be glad to go into much deeper detail.
To me, this is one of the most important lessons in the entire bible.~