"I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
Today's lesson is a continuation of yesterday's.
When Jesus said, "I have a baptism to be baptized with", he was NOT referring to the type of water cleansing ritual as was practiced by John the Baptist. Instead, He was referring to His whole purpose here on earth, , in general, and in particular, His soul saving sacrificial ordeal, His death, burial, resurrection, and eventual ascension.
The above applications of the words baptism, and baptized, are transliterated from the same Greek word "baptizo" as was the word "baptize" that is applied in reference to the ritual washings practiced by John the Baptist; "I indeed baptize you WITH WATER unto"(Toward)" repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you WITH THE HOLY GHOST, AND WITH FIRE:" (Matthew 3:11). This means that the vast majority of times when the word "baptize", or one of it's grammatical variations is applied in the New Testament, is is in reference to something other than water as the medium into which the "baptism" is to occur.
In today's lesson, Jesus was telling His disciples that He was about to become totally cleansed by the true purpose for His coming, which was to be the sacrificial lamb for the sins of the entire world. He was about to be overtaken by death so as to rise again and conquer it as a soul redeeming mechanism for all who will place their faith in Him.
As we continue to study these New Testament lessons, some variation of the word "baptize" will appear many times. We should be very careful in making sure that we understand what is meant by its usage in every instance throughout the New Testament.
We will be careful to analyze its intent in every lesson wherein the word is contained.
Some form of water baptism is honored and practiced by every "Christian" denomination that I have ever known. Most all of them, in many instances, misrepresent the intent of the term, "baptism". ~
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