Lesson 1618

(Lesson 1618)(03-12-16) Matthew 28:16-20

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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."

In today's lesson we will dig further into what Jesus meant when He said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"
Yesterday we demonstrated that not every usage of the term "baptize" implies that the medium into which a baptism is to occur, is necessarily water. In Luke 12:50, Jesus said, "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" Jesus had already been baptized in water, by John, when He made this statement. That statement could not have possibly been in reference to another water baptism.

The term baptize, as it was originally intended, can be applied with almost any medium. For example, one who adheres to the doctrine of Satanism is effectually 'baptized' into Satanism, simply by taking upon oneself that idiotic philosophy. As a matter of fact, and very sadly, many today have indeed, baptized themselves into Satanism.

In all actual and literal truth, to be baptized into Christ is to fully submit ones spiritual self to His teachings and to the sacrifice He underwent for the sins of the world and to wholly believe His sacrifice eradicated that one's entire sinful nature, not within his/her physical body, but within his/her inner spirit. In effect, to become one with Jesus Christ in the spirit.

Now, lets apply that to today's lesson. Jesus said we should be baptized "in the name of" the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Again, sadly, there are millions who erroneously believe that that "in the name of" means that we should be baptized in water by the authority of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Nothing could be further from the truth! Jesus actually meant that we should educate everyone as to the existence of the Holy Triune, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The following is and example demonstrating that "the name of" is something that can be preached, or taught. (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." Philip had peached "the things concerning the kingdom of God," (The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost) AND he preached the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. Those who accepted and took upon themselves the message Philip had preached WERE baptized. They had taken upon themselves the message that Philip preached. Belief in the words that Philip preached baptized the people into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Just as Jesus required in Matthew 28:19.

Firstly if we take the statement in Matthew 28:19 as so many today do, it would say that we should baptize everyone into water into the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, clearly implying two separate baptisms. That's not at all what the text intends, it very clearly states that we are simply to 'immerse' (Actual meaning of the word) everyone into the knowledge of, or concept of, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and to LEAVE them there. Which, with further translation, means to educate everyone to the idea of the amazing existence and saving grace of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Because without knowing that concept one cannot possibly understand how, or even why, simply believing in Jesus Christ can save ones eternal soul.~

NOTE: This lesson will be further examined tomorrow.