(Lesson 2735)(06-20-19) Acts 8:13
    “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”

   Today’s quote relates that Simon the Sorcerer also believed Philip’s preaching and was subsequently “baptized”. This text gives me pause as to what it actually means because it appears to be in contradiction with the rest of the New Testament text.
    We know that the term “baptized” can mean three totally different things as that term is applied in the New Testament. The first is baptism into water, the second is the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and the third is baptism into Jesus Christ. The appropriate meaning relies absolutely upon the context in which the term is applied.
     Baptize the *transliterated word, and it’s grammatical variations, first appeared in the New Testament text in reference to the ceremonial water immersions which were required, and practiced, by all obedient Jews, according to their law. To the Jews, the baptismal ritual was required before entering into any religious ritual, entering the temple, or tabernacle, for prayer, offerings etc. The water version was ALWAYS administered UNTO repentence. However, almost all applications of the term appearing, in the four gospels, after Jesus was baptized, referred to the baptism of the Holy Ghost or to a baptism INTO Jesus Christ.
     The term, as it is applied in today’s quote, appears to be in reference to water immersion.~
NOTE: We will continue this discussion with tomorrow’s lesson.

*To transliterate is to carry forward a sound alike word, from one language to another, which does not specifically translate the meaning or intent of the word in it's original language.