Acts 2:38-39 Desperately seeking an accurate translation?

[Dave123]

There can be a case made that water baptism was only for Israel. Israel was to be a nation of priests and water baptism was a requirement for priest. This is why Jesus was water baptized.

If one considers the gospel of the kingdom as a gospel for the nation of Israel to receive the earthly kingdom distinct from the gospel of grace given to Paul mostly for the gentiles, one can also see a difference in baptisms (immersions).

Paul describe "one baptism" for the gospel of grace, that being the immersion of the believer into the body of Christ.

In Acts 2:38 Peter is responding to the question "What should we do?" The baptism of repentance was an established practice that also demonstrated the change of mind (metanoia) that understanding that they had put to death the Messiah meant. The word eis has a broad number of meaning. The AV translates it as "unto" the remission of sins. This may be more accurate as Jesus said that if people did not believe he was the Messiah, they were still in their sins. The Acts 2:38 verse might be saying that the faith of those Peter was answering and demonstrated in repentance and baptism would be unto the forgiveness of sins as well as the door through which they could have the Spirit fall on them.

Hey Tim

Water baptism has evolved in meaning, probably due to the fact that it always pointed, and as what it pointed to became more clear, the meaning changed, even from John to the disciples. John's water baptism pointed forward, the disciples water baptism pointed back. Interesting, that Johns water baptism, pointing forward, was for the repentance of sin (Mark 1:4, Acts 19:4), but that could not have been a reality before anyone was placed into Christ at Pentecost, and there was a death, resurrection, and ascension. That's why he said that He baptized into water for repentance of sin, but the One coming after Him would baptize/place into with/by the Holy Spirit.

In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus commanded them to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."

"All the nations" being the point.

I believe that the "one baptism" would be the baptism with the Holy Spirit. And while the purpose of water baptism changed, it's still commanded. The only baptism that can save anyone is that of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is received by faith. This is true everywhere in the Bible except the few instances in Acts, and a few passages that things were read into them that were never meant.

 

[Dave123]

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Water
ὕδωρ hudōr, hoo'-dore; gen.
ὕδατος hudōtŏs, hoo'-dat-os, etc.; from the base of G5205; water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively:—water.

John 2:7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

Same as water here.

Acts 2: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Baptized.
βαπτίζω baptízō, bap-tid'-zo; from a derivative of G911; to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:—Baptist, baptize, wash.

Remission
ἄφεσις áphesis, af'-es-is; from G863; freedom; (figuratively) pardon:—deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Water baptism washes away our sins, remission.

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

Water baptism is to identify with Jesus' death and if we do that we will rise to newness of life.

We have to identify with the man Christ Jesus who took away the sins of the world and died, was buried laying down those sins, and was resurrected, by repenting dying out to sin, water baptized laying down those sins, and receiving the Spirit.

You cannot cut out the middle man.

1 Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Water baptism does now save us.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.

They say water baptism is a work and not required but faith is a work for all we do and think is a work.

James said Abraham was justified by works for a man is justified by works and not faith alone.

And Paul said he could have all faith so as to remove mountains but if he did not have charity, love in action, works, then he is nothing.

We are saved by faith, and not works, when we first confess Christ for that is all we can do, but after we receive the Spirit we have to have works of love or our faith is not valid.

Just because it says they received the Spirit but does not mention water baptism does not mean it is not required.

Like confess Jesus you will be saved but another scripture says everyone that names the name of Christ has to depart from iniquity.

And Jesus said not everyone that says Lord Lord will enter heaven because they were workers of iniquity.

Which some people deny the power thereof and love sin more than God because they will not give up the flesh and do not come to the truth.

Which a person led of the Spirit will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

But some people say they cannot abstain from sin but the Bible says you can by the Spirit.

Some people say God chooses who will be saved and not saved without their choice but the Bible says God wants all to people to be saved and the Spirit and bride say Come and any person can have that salvation.

As well as they say water baptism is not required

Hey T

A common mistake that people make is reading 'water baptism' into every instance that the Bible used the word 'baptism'. That theological error that will lead to all kinds of false ideas. Romans 6:3-11, 1 Peter 3:21, Colossians 2:9-14, and Galatians 3:26-27 are all speaking of Spirit baptism, and have nothing to do with water baptism. 1 Corinthians 12:13

You can see the two contrasted in Matthew 3:11

And John 3:5 is explained in the very next verse, notice that the capitol "S" is the Holy Spirit, and the small "s" is just spirit (NKJV makes this distinction). Verse 6, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

 

[Dave123]

Forget about the salvation part of it for the time being. Should new believers get baptized or can they just take it or leave it?

Yes!

But I will qualify that with......I think there are those out there that believe that if they can just get you into the water, they can save you whether you realize it or not. This is very bad for obvious reasons.

 

[Dave123]

it's not clear to me what you're saying about baptism in this passage, 1 Cor 1:14-17. Crispus and Gaius and the others named here were all baptized with water, agreed?

I believe the point is that if water baptism saved, then for Paul, who dedicated his life to bringing the message of salvation, and salvation itself through that message, to say that he was not there to water baptize, would be contradicting. If water baptism had any part in actually receiving the Holy Spirit indwelling, then Paul would never say that he was not there to water baptize.

 

[BartholomewB]

I believe the point is that if water baptism saved, then for Paul, who dedicated his life to bringing the message of salvation, and salvation itself through that message, to say that he was not there to water baptize, would be contradicting. If water baptism had any part in actually receiving the Holy Spirit indwelling, then Paul would never say that he was not there to water baptize.

Paul is saying he didn't do more than a few baptisms personally. He might have simply delegated that job to other members of the church. In fact I believe that is the generally accepted meaning of his words.

 

[BartholomewB]

I am sorry, but I see the "one baptism" as that of the Holy Spirit that puts the new believer into the body of Christ upon faith. I see water baptism as an act unrelated to what the Holy Spirit does.

I see. In your post #13 you wrote, The "one baptism" (immersion) is;
I thought baptism by immersion meant with water.

 

[Dave123]

Thank you, @timf. Just to make sure, you seem to be saying that, in this verse (1 Cor 12:13), the one action of baptism by immersion (water baptism) brings with it baptism in the Spirit. In other words, there are not two separate actions of baptizing, iust the one action which brings both results at once ― the baptism with water and the baptism in the Spirit. Have I understood you correctly?

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a placing into by faith, not water.

The life is the Spirit indwelling (Romans 8:9-11). The baptism/placing into is speaking of being placed into Christ. We are placed into Christ when we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. that placing into Christ, which is the result of the indwelling Holy Spirit, is a baptism by faith, not water.

Knowing this, that the indwelling is what places us into Christ, we can see...Galatians 3:2-3, Ephesians 1:13-14, to name a few. The indwelling is always the result of faith. "For by one Spirit [indwelling] we were all placed into into one body [of Christ]--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."

Water baptism does NOT initiate Spirit baptism, faith does (Galatians 3:22,26-27) . That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Just like the physical circumcision didn't save, but many OT Jews believed that it did. It was a spiritual circumcision that saved (Colossians 2:9-14). We don't need the physical circumcision to initiate the spiritual circumcision any more than we need water baptism to initiate Spirit baptism.

Galatians 3:22, 26-27 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. .....For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were [Spirit] baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13 has nothing to do with water baptism.

 

[Dave123]

Paul is saying he didn't do more than a few baptisms personally. He might have simply delegated that job to other members of the church. In fact I believe that is the generally accepted meaning of his words.

This is what Paul said.

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect."

Paul's baptizing is not him contrasted water baptism from himself, with delegating it to other people. He contrasted preaching the Gospel with water baptism.

Romans 10:8-15 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." 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? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

Jesus is the prophesied baptizer, and the Holy Spirit is the agent of that baptism, not water. The indwelling Holy Spirit places us in Christ, water baptism places us into water. Baptism means to place into, to immerse.

Being baptized with water places you into water
Being placed into water places you into water.

Being baptized with the Holy Spirit places us into Christ Jesus.
Being placed into with the Holy Spirit places us into Jesus Christ.

We receive that indwelling Holy Spirit by faith, not water.

 

[GWH]

I am sorry, but I see the "one baptism" as that of the Holy Spirit that puts the new believer into the body of Christ upon faith. I see water baptism as an act unrelated to what the Holy Spirit does.

Well, water baptism SHOULD symbolize baptism by the Holy Spirit, but as one raised a Baptist thru the 1970s I can say that the Holy Spirit was not mentioned much, but only that dunking was a way of portraying faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

 

[BartholomewB]

This is what Paul said.

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect."

Paul's baptizing is not him contrasted water baptism from himself, with delegating it to other people. He contrasted preaching the Gospel with water baptism.

Romans 10:8-15 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." 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? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

Jesus is the prophesied baptizer, and the Holy Spirit is the agent of that baptism, not water. The indwelling Holy Spirit places us in Christ, water baptism places us into water. Baptism means to place into, to immerse.

Being baptized with water places you into water
Being placed into water places you into water.

Being baptized with the Holy Spirit places us into Christ Jesus.
Being placed into with the Holy Spirit places us into Jesus Christ.

We receive that indwelling Holy Spirit by faith, not water.

In his post #11 @timf quoted 1 Cor 1:14-17, where Paul says he baptized a small number of people, naming Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas.

In my post #10 I quoted the passage from Acts 16 about the earthquake in Philippi. It includes this verse about the jailer who was going to commit suicide:

33And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

A few verses earlier we read about Lydia and her household:

14One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Who baptized these people in Philippi, first Lydia and her household and then the jailer and his family? Can it have been anyone other than Paul or Silas? And, whoever it was, did they baptize them with water or with something else?

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

water baptism interpretation?

Rightly Divided, we find:

Three Baptisms Scriptural Summary!...

Precious friends, I was once Confused about water, too. I had several of them performed
on me for various ( Confusing ) reasons of religious/denominational traditions.

However, God Is Very Gracious and Led me To The Following:

At that { proud baptist } time of my life I was in a deeply involved water discussion with an
old grouchy water 'regenerationist' ( church of christ ). He was mean to me, but did ask one
important question: "Why do you baptists believe in Two baptisms when the Bible says there
is only One" (water, in his mind)?

I knew about The Baptism By The Holy Spirit (That I received In God's Eternal Salvation), but
was valiantly trying to defend the baptist tradition of a "beautiful picture of symbolism", but
God Showed me that that was of no avail, According To His Precious Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided:

From 13 Bible baptisms, sections 4, 9, and 10:

​

(A) The Twelve (12) baptisms Of God’s Law/Prophetic Program!...
------------------------------
...(Israel's various washings! Greek: baptismos = Hebrews 9:10 AV)...

...4. Levitical priesthood baptism (Exodus 29:4;
Leviticus 8:6; Numbers 8:7 AV). This washing was The Second
Requirement {The First being: "No blemish!" (Leviticus 21:21 AV)},
in order to become a priest under the Law of Moses!

Is this baptism in any way connected To baptism # 9?...

================================------------------------

...9. "water baptism of repentance For remission of sin," that John
preached (Before The Cross), And Peter continued (After The Cross!),
to preach! (Matthew 3:5-6; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; John 1:31;
Luke 7:29-30; Acts 10:37; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16;
Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Ezekiel 36:25 AV).

a) Does this baptism “save” anyone (Luke 7:29-30 AV)?
-------------------------------------------------
b1) Is this baptism in any way "connected" to baptism # 4?

b2) Wasn't John preparing National Israel for God's Promise For
them “to be a nation of priests unto God"?

b3) Was not The Second Requirement for priesthood induction,
Washing? { may require re-review of baptism #4! }.

b4) Did not Christ And The Twelve heal everyone in Israel who came to
them, in order to meet “The First Requirement” For the priesthood, that
Of No blemish!? (Matthew 4:24; Acts 5:16 cp Leviticus 21:21 AV).
-------------------------------------------------------------------
c) Is this baptism for today? If "you believe this baptism is For us"
Today, then, we have Several More Questions:

c1) Why does 'No one' Today, teach, as John ( Under The Law! ),
Claimed: it is For “making CHRIST Manifest To Israel” (John 1:31 AV)?

c2) Why does { Almost } 'No one' Today, “Confess their sins,”
when they come to This baptism (Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:5 AV)?

c3) Why do not All Divided “denominations who water baptize”
today, agree 'As one', And teach water as John, CHRIST, And The
Twelve ( Under The LAW! ), “taught That water baptism Is For
The Remission Of sins!” (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38 AV).

{ instead of each one’s own “symbolic Re-Interpreted Traditions!” }?
----------------------------------------------------------------
Do we all Really Want The Truth, The Whole Truth, And Nothing But "The Truth!"?
Just wondering...
------------------------------------------------------------------
to be continued...

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

...Continued from Previous:

Baptism Of Anointing?:

10. Pentecostal Spirit baptism
This is the baptism "With" The Holy Spirit, By JESUS CHRIST,
From Heaven, Poured Out Upon the believing remnant of Israel,
with signs and powers following!
(Isaiah 44:3; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8, 16:17-18;
Luke 24:49; Acts 2:17-18, 38; Acts 8:15-17; Acts 11:16 AV).

And, is not This The Third Requirement For "priesthood induction" =
Anointing? (compare Exodus 29:7; Leviticus 8:10-12 AV).

a) Is God Performing "This" Baptism On us Today, Under Grace?

b) If you believe "you are in the priesthood," are you Absolutely
Sure that you have Met All Three Of God's Requirements?...

c) Christ Gave nothing to Paul about the 'priesthood ' In Christ's Mystery Love Letters
(Romans - Philemon) To The Body Of Christ ( see study: Distinctions Update # 22 )
=================

Note:
The Twelve "Were Sent" to baptize! (Matthew 28:19 AV).
--------------------------------------------------------
AV Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15 AV) From “Things That Differ!" (BBS)
-------------------------------------------------------------
...Paul Was "Not sent" to baptize! (1 Corinthians 1:17 AV).

Where then is the Scriptural Authority To Change Paul's Special Commission To:

(interpretations):

1) Paul was not sent "primarily" baptize? Or:​

2) Paul appointed others to do what he was Not "sent to do"? ​

​

Yes, we do see water in the beginning Of God's Dispensation of Grace, but it was
Diminished Thereafter During God's Transition Of Law Over To Grace -

Please advise?
=============
And, precious friend(s), Please Be Very Richly Encouraged and Edified
In The Lord Jesus Christ and In His Precious Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided:

The Bible: The BIG Picture

Amen.

 

[Dave123]

In his post #11 @timf quoted 1 Cor 1:14-17, where Paul says he baptized a small number of people, naming Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas.

In my post #10 I quoted the passage from Acts 16 about the earthquake in Philippi. It includes this verse about the jailer who was going to commit suicide:

33And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

A few verses earlier we read about Lydia and her household:

14One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Who baptized these people in Philippi, first Lydia and her household and then the jailer and his family? Can it have been anyone other than Paul or Silas? And, whoever it was, did they baptize them with water or with something else?

Hey B

I didn't say that Paul never water baptized anyone, that's a red herring and irrelevant to the question at hand. I quoted 1 Corinthians 1:17 to show that Paul did not put much much emphasis on water baptism, but contrasted water baptism with what he did put emphasis on, preaching the Gospel. That's significant. If water baptism was needed in combination with faith for salvation, Paul would have never said that.

Showing Paul water baptizing anyone does not prove anything, as nobody is saying that people should not be water baptized or that Paul never did water baptize. What we are saying is that faith alone saves, and faith does not need to be joined with water baptism to save someone. Do you see the difference?

And Lydia was already an OT believer, which I highlighted in your quote.

 

[BartholomewB]

Hey B

I didn't say that Paul never water baptized anyone, that's a red herring and irrelevant to the question at hand. I quoted 1 Corinthians 1:17 to show that Paul did not put much much emphasis on water baptism, but contrasted water baptism with what he did put emphasis on, preaching the Gospel. That's significant. If water baptism was needed in combination with faith for salvation, Paul would have never said that.

Showing Paul water baptizing anyone does not prove anything, as nobody is saying that people should not be water baptized or that Paul never did water baptize. What we are saying is that faith alone saves, and faith does not need to be joined with water baptism to save someone. Do you see the difference?

And Lydia was already an OT believer, which I highlighted in your quote.

Thank you, Dave. In the last few verses of Matthew's gospel the Eleven meet the risen Jesus. He tells them, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Two questions about that:

1. Did Jesus mean baptizing with water?

2. If so, what purpose did He think that would serve?

 

[God-fearing]

Jesus searched out john to be baptized.
If you want to follow Christ be baptized.
If you want to follow those who suck the life out of scripture to say its not necessary go for it.
To many threads on this subject. When in doubt work it out.

 

[Dave123]

Thank you, Dave. In the last few verses of Matthew's gospel the Eleven meet the risen Jesus. He tells them, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Two questions about that:

1. Did Jesus mean baptizing with water?

2. If so, what purpose did He think that would serve?

1) Yes, I believe that He meant water baptism. 2) I also think that water baptism should not be considered or read as part of the cause of discipleship. Notice that verse 20 is part of the same thought. Water baptize is part of teaching disciples to "observe all things"...this is a command for disciples, but not to make disciples. I believe that John 16:7-16 explains the context, as Jesus in Matthew 28, having risen, was about to ascend and be glorified, sitting at the right hand of the Father. It would be there that He would send the Holy Spirit so believers could be "placed into" Him when they believed and were indwelt. It was there that all the "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" from Mathew 28, is the same context as "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." from John 16 (below). It has more to do with the realization of the covenant promises going all the way back to Abraham. The "all the nations" in Mathew 28 is significant because that's speaking of the same promise made to Abraham being being realized that was, that He would be father of "many nations" (Genesis 17:4). Of course, that promise is realize through the Seed Jesus Christ incarnate (Galatians 3). Many things were realized and culminated at Pentecost. The birth of the Church being one. Those disciples would now be in spiritual union with Jesus, as promised, and have all the same power and authority because of that union. I believe that power (Remember in Acts 1:8) "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you" (indwelt is meant). That's the same power and "authority" spoken of in Matthew 28 in the great commission. For those who say that covenant theology and dispensationalism, at least the OT to NT cannot survive together, that both are hostel to each other, we can see covenant promises made and realized being separated by those same dispensations, the Old covenant/Testament with the New Covenant/Testament. It's the NT dispensation that ushers in the covenant promises being fulfilled. Anyways....It's the giving of the Holy Spirit (indwelling) to make it possible for believers to be "placed into"" Christ by faith that arrived at Pentecost, not water baptism. The birth of the Church, the first believers placed into Christ Jesus. Water baptism testified to and publicly identified believers with Jesus Christ.

Matthew 28: 18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

John 16:7-16 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father."

 

[BartholomewB]

1) Yes, I believe that He meant water baptism. 2) I also think that water baptism should not be considered or read as part of the cause of discipleship. Notice that verse 20 is part of the same thought. Water baptize is part of teaching disciples to "observe all things"...this is a command for disciples, but not to make disciples. I believe that John 16:7-16 explains the context, as Jesus in Matthew 28, having risen, was about to ascend and be glorified, sitting at the right hand of the Father. It would be there that He would send the Holy Spirit so believers could be "placed into" Him when they believed and were indwelt. It was there that all the "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" from Mathew 28, is the same context as "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." from John 16 (below). It has more to do with the realization of the covenant promises going all the way back to Abraham. The "all the nations" in Mathew 28 is significant because that's speaking of the same promise made to Abraham being being realized that was, that He would be father of "many nations" (Genesis 17:4). Of course, that promise is realize through the Seed Jesus Christ incarnate (Galatians 3). Many things were realized and culminated at Pentecost. The birth of the Church being one. Those disciples would now be in spiritual union with Jesus, as promised, and have all the same power and authority because of that union. I believe that power (Remember in Acts 1:8) "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you" (indwelt is meant). That's the same power and "authority" spoken of in Matthew 28 in the great commission. For those who say that covenant theology and dispensationalism, at least the OT to NT cannot survive together, that both are hostel to each other, we can see covenant promises made and realized being separated by those same dispensations, the Old covenant/Testament with the New Covenant/Testament. It's the NT dispensation that ushers in the covenant promises being fulfilled. Anyways....It's the giving of the Holy Spirit (indwelling) to make it possible for believers to be "placed into"" Christ by faith that arrived at Pentecost, not water baptism. The birth of the Church, the first believers placed into Christ Jesus. Water baptism testified to and publicly identified believers with Jesus Christ.

Matthew 28: 18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

John 16:7-16 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father."

Thank you, Dave. You've given me a clear answer to my first question. I'll have to leave the rest till later. My computer is being repaired and I don't have the manual dexterity (or the patience) to type a long post on a touch screen keyboard...