Strange coincidence that this and the previous thread focus on baptism, as I was earlier today suddenly struck by a thought on the subject that I don't think I've ever heard discussed.
John 4:1-3(KJV)
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (
Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
John the Baptist made it very clear that there was a mighty distinction between his own baptism (with water) and Jesus' baptism (with the Holy Spirit and fire). Several of John's disciples left John and followed Jesus (which apparently did not bother John - "He must increase but I must decrease."). John, in his gospel states categorically that Jesus Himself did not baptize (with water), "but his disciples." In Acts 1 Jesus takes up baptism again, and He also makes a clear distinction between between John's baptism "with water" and the baptism with the Holy Spirit which his hearers would soon experience.
So the question that arose in my mind concerns
Matthew 28:19
Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,...
Which baptism is Jesus refering to? Why would He send them out to practise John's (water) baptism, when this was NOT His baptism, and when very shortly before this command, He had told them they would be shortly baptised with the Holy Spirit ... and which is exactly was John said would be different about Jesus' baptism.
Surely, He would send His followers out to baptize with HIS baptism, rather than cousin John's ...? (and once more noting John the Apostle's clear statement that Jesus Himself
did not baptize with water.)
There have been few practices that have caused more disunity among believers than baptism. And I do not wish to pour gas on the continuously smouldering coals of this issue. Still, I put out this question because I have never heard or read any one raise this angle. (Of course, I am not the most widely read person around.
)
There
IS another baptism that Jesus Himself speaks of, and which I propose as more significant that most think, in the full context of the true meaning of baptism, and that is these passages ...
Luke 12:49-51
“I came to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism to receive, and how distressed I am until it is over! Do you suppose that I came to bring peace to the world? No, not peace, but division.
Matthew 20:22-23
But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the
baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the
baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Notice in Luke 12 the connection between baptism and
fire, and recall John the baptist's words in Matt. 3 - above. Also note that Jesus speaks of a baptism He himself is "to receive," though He had already been baptised by John, and received the outward sign of the Holy Spirit at that time. Note also the words used. We generally think of (water) baptism as an act of obedience on our part: that is, it is something (at least if we are refering to adult baptism)
we do
/we request
/we initiate and something to look forward to with joyful anticipation; (think of the Ethipian eunich who asked "it there any reason why I shouldn't be baptised?") Jesus in this passage uses the verb "receive" and He admits to being very distressed by it, until it's over. In Matthew Jesus makes the direct link between His cup, and His baptism, and obvious reference to his death. Given that we are to
deny orselves, take up our crosses and follow him, baptism isn't simply a one-off ritual public confession of our identification with Christ in His death and resurrection. It is about our daily lives, our continous immersion in the Holy Spirit, so that "it is not me that lives, but Christ in me."
