Mr 1:8
- Mr 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Baptism
In our study on baptism we looked at the subtle nuances between bapto and baptizo. The reason we went to a pickle recipe is to see the nuance. They are not always used in such a nuanced way.
Baptizo is used to reference the physical act of being baptized, but should be understood, even when not nuanced to refer to bapto and baptizo together. It is an introductory act as the beginning of a new life in the teaching of Christ.
shadows of baptism
There are several prophetic riddles concerning baptism: the flood [1], crossing the Red Sea [2], crossing the Jordan [3], Jonah cast into the sea [4], to mention a few. Each picture participates in the revelation of Jesus Christ.
However, of particular importance is the story of Naaman. Naaman was a great captain in Syria who was a leper. [5] Naaman was told to immerse himself seven times in the Jordan. [6] When Naaman did it, he was cured and his flesh became as that of a little child. [7]
Consider the following metaphor:
- Naaman ('pleasant') was a pleasant person who was a valiant man with many good works.
- But he was a leper, which means he was a sinner.
- He was told to dip seven times... and since seven means complete, he was dipped completely. He was baptizo-ed, where the completeness of seven is realized.
- He was dipped in the water of the Jordan, or the 'Word of the Descender'. Jesus is the Son of God incarnate who descended from heaven. He was immersed in the Word of Christ.
This is the picture that John was re-enacting.
Consider some other elements:
- The word of the prophet pointed to the word of Christ. He did not call attention to himself, nor accept payment. The prophet receives freely, and so he gives freely. [10]
- The nice guy sinner (Naaman) wanted to do something to be cleansed. All he had to do was trust the word of Christ (the water of the Jordan). No other water would do. [11]
- The sinner was not able to find the word of Christ without the word of the prophet. [12]
with the Holy Ghost
It is by the Holy Ghost that we remain in his teaching. [13]
Some people say they have been baptized, but have no interest in remaining in his word. Some say they have the Holy Spirit, but do not wish to study. Do you see a problem here?
Next: Mr 1:9
References
- ↑ Ge 7:12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
- ↑ Ex 14:21 ¶ And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go [back] by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry [land], and the waters were divided.
- ↑ Jos 4:22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.
- ↑ Jon 1:15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
- ↑ 2Ki 5:1 ¶ Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, [but he was] a leper. {with: Heb. before} {honourable: or, gracious: Heb. lifted up, or, accepted in countenance} {deliverance: or, victory}
- ↑ 2Ki 5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
- ↑ 2Ki 5:14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
- ↑ Mt 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
- ↑ Mt 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
- ↑ Mt 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
- ↑ Ac 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
- ↑ Ro 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
- ↑ Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
