"THE BAPTISM OF SUFFERING" Larry Yarber

"But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straightened til it be accomplished" (Luke 12:50)?

The baptism mentioned above is a symbolic baptism. At the time Jesus made this statement, both He and His disciples had already been baptized with the water baptism of John (Mark 1:9 and John 1:35-42). Therefore, the baptism which He referred to here was His own demise on the brutal cross of Calvary. After His crucifixion He would say unto two of His disciples, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory" (Luke 24:25-26)? Paul later wrote of Him, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that the by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9). And while He may have dreaded this hour of suffering, He willfully submitted Himself to the same, "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour; But for this cause came I unto this hour" (John 12:27). Thus, this baptism was fulfilled and accomplished in our Lord's death upon the cross.

Jesus warned His disciples that they too would have to drink of this cup of affliction, "Jesus said unto them, ... can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto Him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:" :( Mark 10:38-39). True to His words, His disciples did indeed partake of this baptism. Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified upside down. If this is true, then our Lord's prophecy concerning Peter's demise was fulfilled in it's most minute detail, "Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young thou girdest thyself, and walkest whether thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whether thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God, ..." (John 21:18-19). Likewise, history tells us that all of the apostles suffered Martyrdom for the cause of Christ, save John. However, he too was persecuted in the name of Christianity, being exiled to the isle of Patmos for the word of God (Revelation 1:9). In this manner, all the disciples were baptized with this same baptism of suffering.

Bar a premature death or fortunes of circumstance, we too must partake of this baptism, "Yea, and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2nd Timothy 3:12). John exhorted those of Smyrna to remain faithful in this suffering, even unto the point of death, "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). However, it could be that a person is baptized, dies unexpectedly, and completely avoids this baptism. Thus, while most faithful Christians will experience this baptism, some may be fortunate enough to escape its clutches. Therefore, it cannot be the one baptism which is demanded of all men today (Ephesians 4:4-6).

If you would like to submit a Biblical question for our consideration, please feel free to call or write: 417 - 962 - 5229, or, Larry Yarber - 2534 Oak Ridge Drive - Mountain Grove, Missouri - 65711. We look forward to studying God's Word with you!