(Lesson 4189)(07-11-23) 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.”

    Today’s lesson is a continuance of our study into the meaning, and intent, of the word “baptizing”, as it is applied in “The great commission”. 

    Today we will establish the true definition of the word “baptize” and it’s grammatical variations, baptism, baptizing, baptized etc.

    The word baptize was transliterated to the English language from the Greek word ‘baptizo’, ‘baptidzo’. 

    It is very important to understand what it means to transliterate, in comparison to what it means to ‘define’. 

    Transliteration simply replaces the original, in this case, Greek word, with a made up, sound alike word, to replace the word in the original language. Transliteration DOES NOT bring forward the original meaning and intent of the word being transliterated. In short, transliteration does NOTHING to define the original word. Therefore, the word baptize, carries with it NO particular meaning of it’s own. It must rely on the definition of the original Greek form. 

    The word baptizo, in the Greek language, defines the action of placing one item, or entity, into, or inside another, to permanently alter the state of that item.

    The best example of how ‘baptizo’ is to be applied, in practical Greek conversation, is a recipe for pickling that was written by a greek physician and poet called Nicander in about 200 BC. Nicander said, in essence, that in order to make a pickle, one must first “bapto” (dip) the cucumber in boiling water, then place the cucumber in to a brine solution and leave it there. The brine solution actually transforms the cucumber into a pickle ready for consumption.

    Today, in truth, our baptism into Jesus Christ, NOT WATER, transforms our eternal soul into a perfectually righteous being worthy of a presence with God the Father in heaven. 

    NOTE: This lesson will continue tomorrow.~