Baptism unraveled (5)

In my previous posts I wrote about 'the doctrine of baptisms' as the Bible mentions it. We have taken a closer look at that one baptism, the beginning of everything, namely the baptism into the body of Christ, our rebirth. I also wrote about the baptism in water and about the baptism in/with the Holy Spirit. The Bible mentions one more baptism which is again different than the ones I just mentioned: let's call it the baptism of suffering.

A huge crowd has gathered around Jesus as he prepares his disciples for things to come. Right in the middle of all his practical instructions, Jesus suddenly says,  I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished... (Luke 12:49-50). I cannot read this any other way than that Jesus is talking about his suffering. Jesus longs for the fire of the Holy Spirit to be ignited on earth, but He has an assignment to fulfill: the suffering for the sins of mankind.

The Bible tells us also about another conversation Jesus had with his disciples where the same subject came up. James and John wanted to obtain a place next to Jesus in his glory. But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38). There we have that baptism again. It is here that Jesus connects the baptism of suffering with the cup He is about to drink. That cup is of course the symbol for the new covenant, but also for the suffering. Right before his arrest in Gethsemane Jesus prayed: O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will (Matthew 26:39).

The suffering Jesus experienced was horrible. He was tortured and crucified, while innocent, to pay for the sins of all mankind. His suffering brought us forgiveness of sins and deliverance form guilt, shame and sickness. His assignment was completed on the cross. Yet, in his conversation with the disciples He forewarns them that a form of suffering would come upon them. In his discussion with James and John he says: You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized (Mark 10:39). Jesus warns his followers, be careful : you will suffer. Jesus did not talk about suffering as a result from sin and sickness, because that is exactly what He died on the cross for. He talks here about suffering because of the gospel. Hundreds of thousands of Christians worldwide are experiencing this.

The disciples discovered later on in life what this baptism of suffering really meant, and they wrote about it on several occasions, for example:

• Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! (1 Peter 4:12-16)
• This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News (2 Timothy 1:6-8)

It is no coincidence that scriptures about suffering for the sake of the gospel often mention the fire or flames of the Holy Spirit as well. Let's take this warning serious and never forget that with the fire of the Holy Spirit a suffering for the sake of the gospel comes along!