(Lesson 2563)(12-27-18) Luke 49-50
    “ 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!”

    Because of today’s total misunderstanding, and in many instances distortion, of the intent of the term baptize and all of it’s grammatical variations, which include, baptized, baptizing and baptism, this lesson is very important to, and very helpful in, correcting those misunderstandings and distortions.
    Our English word “baptize”, as it is applied in the New Testament, is merely a transliteration (sound alike) of the ancient Greek word baptizo. Our modern day definition of the word baptize, as well as many earlier definitions, is grossly incorrect and DOES NOT relate the full meaning or intent of the term as it was uttered and applied by those who originally transcribed the text of the New Testament.
    The word baptize, in it’s original Aramaic form, and as it should be defined today, relates the overwhelming or inclosing of one substance, entity or situation by another substance, entity or situation for the purpose of permanently altering it’s state. In the most simple terms, it means to put one thing into something else so as to permanently change it.
    As this knowledge is applied to today’s quote, Jesus, when He said, “I have a baptism to be baptized with", meant that He had an ordeal that He must endure that would permanently change Him from the mortal man that He was to the immortal Savior that He would soon become. ‘
NOTE: There will be more on this subject in tomorrows lesson.