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SEVEN BAPTISMS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

by Dr. Fred Wittman

IV. THE BAPTISM OF VIOLENT DEATH

Mt.20:20-23; 3:8-12; Mk.10:38,39; Lk.12:49,50

UNTO WRATH--FAITHFUL TO HIS FATHER

   The following passages of Scripture are all that pertain to the Baptism of Violent Death.

“At that time the mother of ^/Zebedee’s sons^{[James and John]} approached ^{[the face of]} Him ^{[in company]}with her ^/sons and after bowing in homage, petitioned a certain thing from^[alongside] Him. Then He said to her, What do you^$ determinedly will? She says to Him, Say that these my ^/two sons sit down, one⁺ on Your^$ right^& and one⁺ on ^|Your^$| left^& in Your^{$ /}Kingdom. But ^/Jesus answered and said, You^& do not perceive what you^& are petitioning for yourselves. Are you^& able to drink the cup ^{[Isa. 51:22]} which I Myself am about to drink? and to be baptized in the manner of the baptism ^|in^| which I Myself am being baptized? They say to Him, We are able. And He says to them, On the one hand you^& shall drink My ^/cup and you^& shall be baptized in the manner of the baptism ^|in^| which I Myself am being baptized. But on the other hand the act of sitting on My right^& and on My left^& is not Mine ^{[belonging to Me]} to give, But^{[on the contrary]} for whom^& it has been prepared by My ^/Father” (Mt. 20:20-23 APT).

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, journey to Him, saying, O Teacher, we are determinedly willing that what ever thing^~ we petition, You^$ do for us. Then He said to them, What are you^& determinedly willing ^|for^| Me to do for you^&? Then they said to Him, Give to us that we sit down one on Your^$ right^& and one on Your^$ left^& in Your^{$ /}glory ^{[majestic radiant splendor]}. But ^/Jesus said to them, You^& do not perceive what^~ you^& are petitioning for yourselves. Are you^& able to drink the cup which I Myself am drinking and to be baptized in the manner of the baptism ^|in^| which I Myself am being baptized? Then they said to Him, We are able. But ^/Jesus said to them, On the one hand you^& shall drink the cup which I Myself am drinking and you^& shall be baptized in the manner of the baptism ^|in^| which I Myself am being baptized. But^{[on the contrary]} on the other hand the fact to sit down on My right^& and on My left^& is not Mine to give, but^{[on the contrary]} to the⁺ ones ^|for whom^| it stands prepared” (Mk. 10:35-40 APT).

“Therefore produce fruits worthy of the repentance! And never suppose to say within yourselves! With reference to ⁰father we have ^/Abraham. For I am saying to you^&, ‘‘The God is able to raise up children to Abraham out of these ^/stones. In fact also already the ax is lying at^{[the face of]} the root of the living trees. Therefore every living tree not producing intrinsically good fruit is being cut out and it is being cast into ⁰fire.’’ On the one hand I myself baptize you^& in water unto repentance. But on the other hand The One coming after^{[in back of]} me is stronger than myself, Whose ^/thongs I am not adequate to bear on my person, He Himself shall baptize you^& by means of ⁰Holy Spirit and ^|by means of^| fire, Whose ^/winnowing shovel ^|is^| in His ^/hand and He shall throughly cleanse His ^/threshing-place. And He shall gather together the wheat into the barn, but He shall utterly burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Mt. 3:8-12 APT).

“John answered saying to all, On the one hand I myself am baptizing you^& in water, but on the other hand The⁺ One stronger than I is coming, the leather strap of whose thongs I am not adequate to loose. He Himself shall baptize you^& by means of ⁰Holy Spirit and ^|by means of ^| fire, Whose ^/winnowing shovel ^|is^| in His ^/hand and He shall cleanse His ^/threshing-place. And He shall gather together the wheat into His ^/barn, but He shall utterly burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Lk. 3:16 APT).

“I came to cast fire onto the Earth. And what do I determinedly will, if (and it is true) it be kindled already! But I have a baptism ^|with which^| to be baptized. And how am I gripped^{[take hold together]} until what time it be finished!” (Lk. 12:49,50 APT).

INTRODUCTION:

    This is another chapter in the study of the Seven Baptisms, one book of the series entitled, Fundamental Facts For Searching Saints (Acts 2:41,42). Baptism has quite a significant meaning in The God’s Word according to the viewpoint of The God. What does baptism mean to you? How does your meaning compare with The God’s as clarified by His Dearly Beloved Son?

    The word “baptism” is the translation of the Greek noun βάπτισμα (Báhp-teesmah). It comes from the verb βαπτίζω (bahptéez0) translated ‘baptize’ and means “to make whelmed, (i.e. to fully wet).” βαπτίζω comes from the root word βάπτω (báhpt0) which means “to whelm, i.e. to cover wholly with a fluid.” It is translated “to dip.” βάπτω is also used to indicate the act of dying, ‘to dye,’ that is to dip a cloth or material completely immersed into a vat of liquid to change its color. The cloth is not changed, only the appearance and color is changed. However, baptism calls for an inner change producing action whereby there are seven factors in connection with each of the seven baptisms.

    The Baptism of Moses projected the meaning, Redemption by power after being redeemed by the blood of the Passover lamb in Egypt and through redemption by power in the Israelites passing through the Red Sea. This was accomplished so that the world had no more dominion and control over them. It indicated that the participants were free from bondage and Sin and were identified with The True God to prepare an habitation for The God. The Baptism of John projected the meaning, Repentance. It indicated that the participant was Forgiven of sins. The Baptism of Christ projected the meaning, Righteousness. It indicated that the participant Fulfilled all Righteousness. John the Baptizer was reluctant to baptize Jesus at first. He needed instruction so he could obey.

    The next baptism is the Baptism of Violent Death. The Lord Jesus Christ elucidated upon an unusual aspect of that meaning in this baptism. It projects the meaning, Wrath. It indicates that the participant is Faithful to His Father. The Baptism of Violent Death is different than the other baptisms in that it begins with a meaning that adds to the basic meaning of baptism stated above. Moses and the nation of Israel were not completely wet. However they were whelmed with walls of water on each side and vapor in the form of a cloud overhead. But now we are faced with a symbolic meaning for baptism or an abstract meaning. That means “it has only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation.” The whelming is not with water, but with more severe action resulting in the reality of the representation, death - a violent death (Mt. 3:11-12).

    There are those who incorrectly believe that The Holy Spirit’s baptism is a baptism of fire (Mt. 3:8-9-10-11-12). There are reasons to substantiate that this baptism of fire takes place in a future age and is a different baptism than Baptism by The Holy Spirit.

Firstly, just because there were tongues of fire that preceded the descent of, the filling of, and the baptism by The Holy Spirit, that does not indicate that The Lord Jesus by Himself baptized them with fire. It was not The Lord Jesus Christ Who directly sent The Holy Spirit but rather indirectly, Who prayed to The Father Who promised to fulfill His promise and send Him. This was stated by The Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Acts 1:4,5 cf. Jn. 14:16,17,26).

“And while convening them together with Himself, He charged them, Do not part yourselves away from Jerusalem^&! but^{[on the contrary]} abide in anticipation for the promise by the Father! which you^& heard from Me because, on the one hand John baptized in water, but on the other hand you^& yourselves shall be baptized by means of ⁰Holy Spirit after these^{^} not many days” (Acts 1:4,5 APT).

“And I Myself shall ask The Father and He shall give to you^& another^{[Same Kind]} Paraklete^{[One summoned alongside: Entreater, Advocate, Comforter, Intercessor]} in order that He continually abide with^{[in midst of]} you^& for ^/ever, ^|namely^| The Spirit^~ of The Truth, Whom^~ the world is not able to receive, because it is not observing Him^~, neither does it know^{[from experience]} Him^~. But you^& yourselves know ^{[from experience]} Him^~ because He^~ is continually abiding alongside you^& and He^~ shall be in you^&” (Jn. 14:16,17 APT).

“But the Paraklete^{[One summoned alongside: Entreater, Advocate, Comforter, Intercessor]}, ^|namely^| The Holy ^/Spirit, Whom^~ The Father shall send in My ^/name, That⁺ One shall teach you^& all^~ things and He shall cause you^& to remember all^~ things which I said to you^&” (Jn. 14:26 APT).

The context in which John stated this, is that The One coming after him, that is The Lord Jesus shall baptize the multitude that was standing before him. This included Pharisees and Sadducees, some of whom would later repent and commit faith unto The Lord Jesus Christ. Others of that multitude would reject Him and even call for His death by crucifixion. The ones who repent and commit faith unto The Lord Jesus Christ will be baptized with The Holy Spirit. The ones who reject Him will be baptized with the fire.

Secondly, John was the last of The Old Testament prophets who prophesied of The Messiah Who is coming to Israel. But there was no distinction in their prophecies as to the two aspects or advents of His coming. It was not until Sivan (June), A.D. 32, after The Lord Jesus Christ, The Messiah came on this earthly scene and was ministering to the multitudes for more than three years, that it became evident that there are two aspects of His Coming. All Israel expected Him to come to deliver their nation, judge the Gentile nations, and set up His Kingdom of Righteousness and Peace. The prophecies of David, Isaiah, and Jeremiah concerning the suffering Messiah were being ignored in lieu of His Triumphant Advent, which was more vividly and emphatically presented. At times both aspects were combined in one sentence in Old Testament prophecies. The Rabbis taught that there are to be two Messiahs: Messiah Ben Joseph, The Suffering Messiah and Messiah Ben David, The Reigning Messiah.

Thirdly, The Lord Jesus Himself unraveled this mystery of two advents of His coming when He began to reveal that He was going to suffer many things in Jerusalem at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, be killed by crucifixion, and be raised up in the third day (Mt. 16:21; 17:22,23; 20:18,19; 26:2,31,32). John the Baptizer also combined these two aspects in this explanation of his ministry and baptism when he began his ministry in the wilderness (Mt. 3:5-10,11,12).

Fourthly, this same context also includes a distinction between living trees that produce good fruit and those living trees that do not produce good fruit (“fruits worthy of repentance”). The woodsmen have a custom of laying the axe at the base of the tree which they intend to cut down. When the axe is laid at the base of the tree, that tree is certain to be chopped down. However wood is scarce in the Near East, especially Palestine. Only the fruit trees not producing fruit are cut down and used for fire wood. The Lord Jesus told a parable of a fig tree upon which the one who planted it did not find any fruit (Lk. 13:6-9). So he told the vineyard worker, “Cut it out!” Then he asked, “Why is it that it is even making the soil ineffective?” (v. 7d,e APT). Then the worker pled to give it another year before cutting it out. It is not merely to be cut down, but since fuel is so scarce and labor cheap, the roots, stump, trunk, and branches, all are cut out and used for fire wood to be utterly burned up. The good fruit bearing trees are spared the fire and nurtured to produce more fruit. The living trees not producing fruit are consumed in the fire. This analogy is also used on the spiritual plain. There is a distinct difference of the treatment of each category.

Fifthly, in this same context John the Baptizer made a distinction between wheat and chaff. The wheat is the grain that has been separated from the chaff. In order to separate the wheat from the chaff, a threshing floor must be prepared usually on a hill near the village. A circular level spot is located or graded. The ground is beaten hard and often clay is laid on top of it. Then it is rolled and lumps are removed. The sun beats down upon it for days to bake and harden it. Then it is swept clean. The stalks of grain are laden on asses to bring the load to the threshing floor. Cattle are used to thresh the grain or it is beaten (pounded out) to separate the chaff from the wheat. Then the winnowing shovel is used to scoop and toss the grain into the air over the spot to be piled so that the wind or breeze can blow the chaff aside and the grain drops into the pile on the threshing floor. Later it is gathered and burned up with fire. The wheat will not be cast into the fire, but the chaff will and it will be utterly burned up with unquenchable fire. The fire with which some will be baptized is the eternal unquenchable fire which Jesus said in another Scripture will never be quenched (Mk. 9:43-48 cf. Mt. 18:8) and not Holy Ghost-fire.

Sixthly, The Holy Spirit guided Luke to record another reason to make a distinction between Baptism by the Holy Spirit and Baptism by Fire. Luke recorded that The Lord Jesus Christ stated this distinction to His disciples just before ascending into Heaven (Acts 1:5).

“. . . because, on the one hand John baptized in water, but on the other hand you^& yourselves shall be baptized by means of ⁰Holy Spirit after these^{^} not many days” (Acts 1:4,5 APT).

The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed what John said about Jesus baptizing by means of The Holy Spirit. However His omission of the phrase added by John ‘and by means of fire’ indicates that fire would not be included in the Baptism by means of The Holy Spirit, but stands in connection with His second coming. If Jesus had included ‘and by means of fire’, it would indicate that baptism by means of fire took place at Pentecost, but He did not include that phrase and Baptism by The Holy Spirit did not include Baptism by Fire.

Seventhly, there are others who correctly believe that Jesus will baptize either by means of The Holy Spirit or by means of fire. The original language of Scripture (Greek) does not refer to only one baptism by The Lord Jesus Christ, but refers to two baptisms by Him. The Greek dative case is used before and after the kaì - ‘and.’ And it can not be translated Holy Spirit-fire (or Holy Ghost-fire) as some refer to it, since it is not in the genitive case, the case of description, but in the dative case, the case of personal interest, or the instrumental case, the case of means, which does provide for agency. Since John used the preposition ’εν before the kaì, and the emphasis is upon the means by which Jesus shall perform both baptisms, the translation must be in the instrumental case. A translation using the genitive of description would violate the doctrine of Inspiration because this would ignore the case which The Holy Spirit guided Matthew to use (2 Pet. 1:21).

    The future baptism for Christ’s disciples, particularly James and John the sons of Zebedee, is reflected in Jesus’ response to their request. He asked them if they were able to be baptized with the baptism with which He was going to be baptized. The death which The Lord Jesus Christ suffered was a death by fire in darkness (Lam. 1:12-14; 3:1,2; Ps. 22:1-21; Ex. 12:8; Lev. 4:20,21,26; Heb. 13:11,12; Num. 15:25.26). He could not avoid this baptism of fire (Lk. 12:49,50). They responded, “We are able.” Although they would suffer before death, they did not suffer like Christ, but were willing to go to their death. James, the brother of John was executed by being slain by means of a short sword by King Herod Agrippa I in the spring of A.D. 44 shortly before Herod became devoured by worms (Acts 12:1,2,21-23).

John was condemned by Emperor Domitian to be cast into a caldron of boiling oil. Either the execution was not carried out or John miraculously escaped and later was banished to the island of Patmos.

    The Baptism of Violent Death involves three classifications of people: The Lord Jesus Christ, The Lord Jesus Christ’s disciples, and the unregenerated people. The seven factors relate to each of these classifications differently as follows.

I. A PARTICULAR MESSAGE PROCLAIMED.

A. For The Lord Jesus Christ

The particular message that was proclaimed relative to the Baptism of Violent Death of The Lord Jesus Christ was given before His death by Old Testament prophets (Lam. 1:12-14; 3:1,2; Ps. 22:1-21; Isa. 53) and by The Lord Jesus Christ Himself before His death (Mt.16:21; 17:22,23; 20:18,19; 26:2,31,32), at His death (Jn. 19:30), and after His death (Lk. 24:46,47).

         1. The message proclaimed by Old Testament Prophets.

“Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger. From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day. The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up. . . . I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light” (Lam. 1:12-14; 3:1,2 AV).

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. . . . They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture” (Ps. 22:1-8,13-18 AV)

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. . . . Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. . . . because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isa. 53:3-8,10,12 AV).

         2. The message proclaimed by The Lord Jesus Christ before His death.

Jesus began to foretell His own baptism of violent death after Peter’s confession of Who He is at Kaisáhreiah of Philippi in Sivan (June) A.D. 32.

“From that time ^/Jesus began to show to His ^/disciples that it is absolutely necessary for Him to depart unto Jerusalem^$, and to suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised up in the third day” (Mt. 16:21 APT).

Jesus repeatedly foretold his violent death on four other occasions, giving additional details concerning that event. In Av (early August) A.D. 32:

“Now as they were turning up^{[from Mt. Hermon and Caesarea of Philippi]} in ^/Galilee, ^/Jesus said to them, The Son of ^/Man^[Human] shall be betrayed into hands of humans. And they shall kill Him. And He shall be raised up in the third day. And they were extremely grieved” (Mt. 17:22,23 APT).

Again on Sunday, 2 Nisan (March 22), A.D. 33:

“And while ascending unto Jerusalem^$, ^/Jesus took the twelve disciples aside privately^{[lit.: according to private]} in the way. And He said to them, Lo! we are ascending unto Jerusalem^$ and The Son of ^/Man^[Human] shall be betrayed to the chief priests and scribes. And they shall condemn Him to punishment by death. And they shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge^{[severely flail]} and to crucify. And in the third day He shall resurrect Himself” (Mt. 20:17-19 APT).

Again on Wednesday, 12 Nisan (April 1) A.D. 33 at the close of the day of teaching:

“You^& are aware that after two days it becomes the Passover and the Son of ^/Man^[Human] is being betrayed for the purpose of being crucified” (Mt. 26:2 APT).

Then again c. 10:20 P.M. on Thursday, 14 Nisan (April 2), A.D. 33 on the way to the Mount of Olives:

“At that time ^/Jesus says to them, You^& all yourselves shall be offended^{[scandalized, caused to stumble]} by means of Me in this ^/night; for it stands written,^{[Zech. 13:7]} I will smite the shepherd and the sheep of the fold shall be scattered abroad. But after the act of Me being raised up, I will lead before you^& into Galilee” (Mt. 26:31,32 APT).

         3. The message proclaimed by The Lord Jesus Christ at His death:

“Then when ^/Jesus received the vinegar ^{[sour wine, Prov. 31:6]}, He said, It stands finished ^{[fully paid]}. And when He bowed His head, He delivered over His spirit” (Jn. 19:30 APT).

4. The message proclaimed by The Lord Jesus Christ on the Sunday evening after His death and resurrection-ascension:

“And He said to them, ‘‘Thus it stands written^{[Ps. 22:1-21; Is. 52:13-53:12; Ps. 16:10; Lam. 1:12-14]} and in this way it was absolutely necessary for The Christ to suffer and to resurrect out of ⁰dead ones in the third day and for repentance and forgiveness of sins are to be proclaimed as an herald on the basis of His name unto all the nations, beginning away from Jerusalem. But you^& yourselves are judicial witnesses of these^~ things” (Lk. 24:46-48 APT).

    B. For The Lord Jesus Christ’s Disciples (Mt. 19:27-29; 20:22,23).

The particular message that was and is proclaimed for The Lord Jesus Christ’s disciples contained a promise of enduring suffering here on Earth and enjoying eternal glory living forever hereafter with the promise of reigning with The Lord Jesus Christ. In response to their unusual and proud request, The Lord Jesus said to James and John,

“you^& do not perceive what you^& are petitioning for yourselves. Are you^& able to drink the cup^{[Isa. 51:22]} which I Myself am about to drink? and to be baptized in the manner of the baptism ^|in^| which I Myself am being baptized? They say to Him, We are able. And He says to them, On the one hand you^& shall drink My ^/cup and you^& shall be baptized in the manner of the baptism ^|in^| which I Myself am being baptized. But on the other hand the act of sitting on My right^& and on My left^& is not Mine^{[belonging to Me]} to give, But^{[on the contrary]} for whom^& it has been prepared by My ^/Father” (Mt. 20:22-23 APT).

The disciples heard The Lord Jesus deal with the rich young ruler and require that he sell his possessions and give to the poor before following Jesus. Then He stated to them the difficulty a rich one will have in order to enter the Kingdom of The God. Then curious Peter spoke for them all.

“At that time ^/Peter answered and said to Him, Lo! we ourselves abandoned all^~ things and ^[we]followed You^$. So then what will it be to us? Then ^/Jesus said to them, Amen, I am saying to you^&, ‘‘You^& who followed Me, in the regeneration, whenever The Son of ^/Man^[Human] sit upon His ⁰throne of glory^{[majestic radiant splendor]}, you^& yourselves also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of ^/Israel. And every one, whoever abandoned dwellings or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or country for the sake of My name, shall receive an hundredfold and he shall inherit eternal absolute life. But many first ones shall be last ones; and last ones ^|shall be^| first ones’’ (Mt. 19:27-30 APT).

Paul wrote to Timothy concerning suffering and reigning,

“Faithful ^|is^| the saying! For if (and it is true) we died off together with ^|Him^| we also shall absolutely live together with ^|Him^|; if (and it is true) we continually patiently endure, we also shall reign together with ^|Him^|; ^{[Mt. 10:33]} if (and it is true) we renounce ^|Him^|, That⁺ One also will renounce us” (2 Tim. 2:11,12 APT).

So it is vitally important for us to reckon ourselves to be dead with, and to patiently endure suffering for the sake of, our Lord Jesus Christ if we are to reign with Him forever. This death is relative both to the physical sense and in the spiritual sense.

    C. For the Unregenerate Ones (Jn. 3:18,36; 12:47,48).

The particular message that was and is proclaimed for the unregenerate ones was first proclaimed by The Lord Jesus Christ Himself to Neekódaymohs.

“The one continually committing trust unto Him is not being judged. But^{[on the contrary]} the one not continually committing trust already has been permanently judged because he has not permanently committed trust unto the name of The Only Begotten Son of The God. . . . The one continually committing trust unto The Son is continually having eternal absolute life. But the one persistently disobeying^{[lit.: resisting persuasion]} with reference to The Son shall not behold absolute ⁰life, but^{[on the contrary]} the anger of The God is continually abiding upon him” (Jn. 3:18,36 APT).

Then on Thursday, 13 Nisan (April 2), the day of preparation of the Passover and day before His crucifixion. Jesus spoke to His disciples before a crowd gathered around Him in answer to the question, Who is This Son of Man?

“I Myself have come a Light unto the world in order that everyone continually committing trust unto Me not abide in the darkness. And if (and it may be) anyone hear My ^/declarations^{[spoken words]} and not commit trust, I Myself do not judge him. For I did not come in order that I judge the world, but^{[on the contrary]} in order that I save the world. The one rejecting^{[set aside]} Me and not receiving My ^/declarations^{[spoken words] [he]}is having The⁺ One judging him, The Word Which I repeatedly speak. That⁺ One shall judge him in the last day” (Jn. 12:46-48 APT).

This message that is proclaimed to the unregenerate ones is The Gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ plus the terrible fate of those who reject it.

II. A FAITH PROVEN (exercised).

    The proof of one’s faith and faithfulness is presented when one is baptized by means of violent death.

A. The Proof by The Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22; Gal. 2:16,20; Eph. 3:12; Phil. 3:9).

The Lord Jesus Christ proved His faith by willingly going to the cross of Calvary to give His life and soul as a substitutionary sacrifice for the salvation of all humans who will persistently commit trust to Him.

“But God’s righteousness through Jesus Christ’s faith^{[committed trust] |}is^| unto all and upon all the ones committing trust, (for there is not a distinction; for all sinned and of themselves are falling short of the glory^{[majestic radiant splendor]} of The God)” (Rom. 3:22,23 APT).

“. . . being aware that a human^[generic] is continually not being justified^{[declared: righteous, freed of:.blame, guilt, and /.or penalty]} by means of ⁰works of ⁰law, except by means of Jesus Christ’s ⁰faith^{[committed trust]}, even we ourselves committed trust unto Christ Jesus, in order that we be justified^{[declared: righteous, freed of:.blame, guilt, and /.or penalty]} by means of Christ’s ⁰faith^{[committed trust]} and not by means of ⁰works of ⁰law, for the reason that all flesh shall not be justified^{[declared: righteous, freed of:.blame, guilt, and /.or penalty]} by means of ⁰works of ⁰law. . . . I stand crucified together with Christ, but I absolutely live. No longer myself, but Christ absolutely lives in me. In fact what^~ I now absolutely live in ⁰flesh, I absolutely live by means of ⁰faith^{[committed trust]^}, ^|namely^| the^{^} one belonging to The Son of The God, Who loved^{[sovereignly preferred over self. and others]} me and delivered Himself over in my own behalf” (Gal. 2:16,20).

It is by The Lord Jesus Christ’s Faith that we are justified and by His Faith that we live. It is not by our own faith but by persistently committing trust in The Lord Jesus Christ, Whose Faith made possible for every human to be justified and to absolutely live after being crucified with Him. This was accomplished

“. . . according to ⁰purpose for the ages which He made in Christ Jesus, The Lord of ours, in Whom we continually have the boldness and the access^{[to the face of Him]} with assuredness^[persuasion] by means of the faith^{[committed trust]} of His” (Eph. 3:12 APT).

“On the contrary, yes indeed rather I also continually deem all things to be loss for the sake of the continual surpassingness of the knowledge^{[from experience]} of Christ Jesus The Lord of mine, for the sake of Whom I forfeited^{[suffer the loss]} all^~ things and I continue deeming ^|them^| to be dung^& in order that I continue gaining Christ and I continually be found in Him, not having my own righteousness^{^}, ^|namely^| the^{^} one by means of ⁰law, but on the contrary, the^{^} one through Christ’s faith^{[committed trust]}, the righteousness out of God on the basis of the faith^{[committed trust]}, in order to know^{[from experience]} Him and the miraculous power of His ^/resurrection and the fellowship of His ^/sufferings, being persistently conformed⁺ to His ^/death” (Phil. 3:8-10 APT).

It was The Lord Jesus Christ’s Faith, which also is designated by ‘The Faith,’ by which we are saved. Our faith may fail in times of great testing but His Faith did not and will not fail under any circumstance. Therefore we must rely on His Faith forevermore.

B. The Proof by The Lord Jesus Christ’s Disciples (Mt. 20:22 cf. Acts 12:2) “We are able.”

It was seen above that James, the son of Zebedee, was martyred by means of a short sword by King Herod Agrippa I in the spring of A.D. 44. His brother John was condemned by Emperor Domitian to be cast into a caldron of boiling oil. Both James and John had opportunity to prove their faith by facing martyrdom for the sake of The Lord Jesus Christ.

    C. The Proof by the Unregenerate Ones (2 Cor. 4:3.4; 11:13-15)

The unregenerate ones have proven their faith; they have never committed trust unto The Lord Jesus Christ, but rather unto Satan, the god of this world or age.

“But even if (and it is true) The Gospel by us is standing intently covered, it is standing intently covered among the perishing ones, in whom^& the god of this ^/age constantly blinds the concepts^[thoughts] of the faithless ones, in order that the illumination of The Gospel of the glory^{[Majestic radiant splendor]} of The Christ, Who is ⁰image of The God, not dawn upon them” (2 Cor. 4:3,4 APT).

“For the such like ones ^|are^|: false apostles, deceitful workers, transfigurers^{[alterers of outer appearance]} of themselves into apostles of Christ! And not a marvelous^~ thing! For ^/Satan himself is repeatedly transfiguring^{[alter outer appearance]} himself into an angel of light. Therefore no great thing! if (and it is true) the domestic^{[deacon, attendant to needs]} servants of his also are being transfigured^{[altered outer appearance]} as domestic^{[deacon, attendant to needs]} servants of righteousness, whose ^/end shall be according to their ^/works!” (2 Cor. 11:13-15 APT).

“And with every kind of enticement of ^/unrighteousness in the perishing ones, instead of which, they did not hospitably welcome the love ^{[sovereign preference over self. and others]} of The Truth^{[Jn. 14:6]} in order for them to be saved. And because of this The God shall send to them an effectual working error in order for them to commit trust in the lie” (2 Thes. 2:10-12 APT).

These have believed a lie because they did not hospitably welcome the love of The Truth, The Lord Jesus Christ. Consequently they shall perish in the baptism of fire, The Lake of Fire for ever.

III. AN ACTION PERFORMED:

A. By The Lord Jesus Christ (Lam. 1:12-14; 3:1,2 cf. Rev. 1:15; Ps. 22:1,2 cf. Mk. 15:33,34).

The Lord Jesus Christ poured out His blood in agonizing, vicarious death, and endured the wrath of The God in darkness, then rose again the third day in order to procure Salvation for all humans. His death was prophesied by several Old Testament prophets among whom were David, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.

“Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger. From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day. The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up. . . . I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light” (Lam. 1:12-14; 3:1,2).

“And in midst of the seven lampstands a like⁺ One to ⁰Son of ⁰Man ^[Human] standing clothed with a robe reaching to the feet . . . and the feet of His, similar ones to fine brass, ones having been burned^& as in a smelting furnace” (Rev.1:12,15 APT).

Where and when were his feet burned? On the cross of Calvary during those three hours of dark when The God lifted up His rod against The Savior bearing Sin but not His own in his own body on the tree.

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent” (Ps. 22:1,2)

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. . . . Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand” (Isa. 53:3-6,10).

Mark clearly declares that in the last three hours of the life of The Lord Jesus Christ the whole land (Earth, same word) was dark. Jesus died suffering enduring The God’s wrath in the darkness of Fire and Brimstone as a substitute for all humans so that no one need suffer the agony under The God’s wrath in fire and brimstone eternally.

“Then when it became sixth^[noon] hour, dark^{[Is. 9:19]} emerged over the whole Earth until ⁰ninth^{[3 P.M.] 0}hour. And at the ninth^{[3 P.M.] /}hour Jesus cried out with a loud^[great] call, saying^{[Ps. 22:1]}, Ehlōée^{[Aramaic: My God]}, Ehlōée ^{[Heb.: Why?]}lammáh ^{[Aramaic: have You forsaken Me?]}sah-bahk-thah-née? which is, being translated, O My ^/God, O My ^/God, because of what did You^$ forsake Me?” (Mk. 15:33,34 APT).

John made it clear in The Revelation that The Resurrected Son of Man bore the marks of the fire on the cross in His feet. When He comes again we shall see those marks even as John did in His brief insight into Heaven.

    B. By The Lord Jesus Christ’s Disciples.

They stood firm for, and told of, The Lord Jesus Christ even unto death. Even today His disciples face death to be judicial witnesses for Christ and do not renege nor renounce The Lord Jesus Christ to save their lives from execution.

    C. By the Unregenerate Ones (Rom. 2:4-6).

These have rejected Christ and stood firm in disobedience, with hardness and impenitent heart resisting persuasion to receive the love of The Christ.

“Or are you^$ despising the^$ wealth^$: of His ^/kindness and of His forbearance and of His longsuffering, and are being ignorant that the kindliness of The God is attempting to ^{[conative present tense]}lead you^$ unto repentance? But according to your^{$ /}hardness and unrepentant heart you^$ are treasuring up for yourself anger in ⁰Day of Anger and Revelation of The God’s Righteous Judgment, Who shall render to each one according to his ^/works” (Rom. 2:4-6 APT).

IV. A CONFESSION PRONOUNCED:

    A. By The Lord Jesus Christ.

When he completed being baptized by fire, He pronounced one Greek word, Τετέλεσται. Translated it means “It stands finished!” (Jn. 19:30). Archaeologists found this word written on many invoices, in which case it means, “It stands fully paid.” This triumphant cry from the cross is the confession He pronounced at His Baptism of Violent Death.

B. By The Lord Jesus Christ’s Disciples.

In response to Jesus’ question, James and John pronounced, “We are able” (Mt. 18:22). Later in the first persecution when the rulers of the Jews put Peter and John on trial for healing the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple in early summer A.D. 33, they answered the charge by the rulers, “Not at all utter under influence nor even to teach in Jesus’ name!”

“But ^/Peter and John answered and said to^{[the face of]} them, If (and assume it is true) it is righteous in the viewpoint of The God to hear you^& rather than The God, you^& judge. For we ourselves are unable not to speak what^~ things we beheld and heard” (Acts 4:19,20 APT).

Later in mid summer A.D. 33, a second persecution occurred as the disciples were healing the infirm ones being brought to them. The Sadducees were filled with boiling envious zeal and nabbed them and placed them in watchful security. Later a Lord’s angel set them loose and went into the Temple again the next morning and began teaching. The Temple guard brought them peacefully to the Sanhedrin for interrogation. Peter and the apostles answered their questions,

“Then ^/Peter and the apostles answered and said, It is absolutely necessary to comply^{[be persuaded by the rule of]} with The God rather than humans. The God of our ^/fathers raised up Jesus, upon Whom you^& yourselves violently laid hands and hanged upon wood. This⁺ One The God exalted, Prince^{[Originator, Captain]} and Savior on His ^/right, in order to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to ^/Israel. And we ourselves are His judicial witnesses of these ^/declarations^{[spoken words]} but also The Holy ^/Spirit, Whom The God gave to the⁺ ones complying^{[be persuaded by the rule of]} with Him” (Acts 5:29-32 APT).

Their confession was, “We are unable not to speak! We must comply with The God rather than humans!”

    C. By the Unregenerate Ones.

The confession of the unregenerate ones on Earth now is reflected by the attitude of citizens expressed in the parable of The Nobleman, Ten Bondslaves, and Ten Minas (Lk. 19:14).

“Therefore He said, A certain noble^[well-born] human journeyed unto a remote^{[far off]} region to receive a kingdom for himself and to return. . . . he summoned ten bondslaves of his^[himself] and gave to them ten minas ^{[1m=50 shekels or 9 months pay, so 10m=7½ years pay; 5m=3¾ years pay]}. And he said to^{[the face of]} them, Continually carry on trading business until I come! But his ^/citizens were continually hating him. And they sent^{[with commission]} an embassy after him saying, We are determinedly not willing for this⁺ one to reign over us” (Lk. 19:14 APT)

The confession of the unregenerate ones that will be expressed at the Great White Throne Judgment is described by Paul in His Epistle to the Philippians (Phil. 2:9-11).

“Wherefore also The God supremely exalted Him and graciously granted to Him a name, ^|namely^| the^~ one above every name, in order that at the name of Jesus every knee, of: celestial ones and earthly ones and subterranean^{[lit.: under dust]} ones, bend in veneration and every tongue of itself publicly confess, ‘‘Jesus Christ, Lord!’’ unto ⁰Father-God’s glory^{[exaltation with majestic radiant splendor]}.

V. A MEANING PROJECTED: WRATH!

The meaning projected is Wrath: the wrath of man and God upon The Savior ( 2 Tim. 2:11,12), man’s wrath upon saints (The Lord Jesus Christ’s disciples), and The God’s wrath upon sinners.

    A. The Wrath Endured by The Lord Jesus Christ:

         1. The wrath of The God upon Sin (2 Cor. 5:21);

“For The⁺ One, ^|Who^| did not know^{[from experience]} sin, He made sin in behalf of us in order that we ourselves become God’s righteousness in Him.

         2. The wrath of religious leaders upon The God’s Son (Jn. 19:7,8).

“Therefore when the chief priests and the attendants beheld Him, they shouted saying, Crucify! Crucify! ^/Pilate^{[Peeláhtohs]} says to them, You^& yourselves take Him and you^& crucify! For I myself am not finding a fault in Him. The Jews answered him, We ourselves have ⁰law. And according to the law^{[Lev. 24:16]} of ours He is legally obligated to die off because He made Himself ⁰Son of The God” (Jn. 19:7,8 APT)

B. The Wrath Endured by The Lord Jesus Christ’s Disciples:

The wrath of humans is aimed at The Lord Jesus Christ but exercised upon His disciples. The right to reign with The Lord Jesus Christ is earned by properly enduring the wrath of the worldlings. Note the last words of Stephen, the Christ’s first martyr (Acts 7:55-60).

“Then by hearing these^~ things, they became outraged^{[lit.: to saw through]} in their ^/hearts and they were gnashing their teeth against him. But he, existing filled full of ⁰Holy Spirit, when staring into ^/Heaven, beheld God’s glory^{[majestic radiant splendor]} and Jesus remaining standing on The God’s ⁰right^&. And he said, Lo! I observe The Heavens standing opened and The Son of ^/Man^[Human] remaining standing on The God’s ⁰right^&. Then they clamored with a great call and gripped^{[held together]} their ^/ears^{[hearing organs]}. And they unanimously rushed frantically upon him. And after casting ^|him^| out without^{[off away from]} the city, they began pelting ^|him^| with stones. And the judicial witnesses^{[Deut. 17:7]} laid down away from themselves their ^/outer garments alongside the feet of a young^{[c.age 17-4]} adult male being titled, Saul^[Saúlohs]. And they repeatedly pelted ^/Stephen^{[Stéhfah- nohs]} with stones, while he was repeatedly invoking and saying, O Lord Jesus, ^{[Ps. 31:5]}hospitably receive my ^/spirit! Then when he knelt^{[lit.: lay down the knees]} down, he exclaimed with a great call, O Lord, this ^/sin is to never stand against them! And when he said this, he became reposed in sleep” (acts 7:55-60 APT).

C. The Wrath Endured by the Unregenerate Ones.

The God’s Righteous Wrath is vented forever upon Sin and sinners for rejecting The Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thes. 1:5-9; 2:10-12).

“. . . so as for ourselves to continually boast in you^& among the churches of The God in behalf of your^& patient endurance and faith^{[committed trust]} in all the persecutions and the tribulations of yours^& which^{^} you^& continually forbear, a proof of the just judging of The God, in order for you^& to be considered worthy of the Kingdom of The God, in behalf of which you^& also are continually suffering, if indeed ^|it is^| a just^~ thing with^[alongside] God to recompense: affliction^{[tribulation]} to the ones continually afflicting^{[put under pressure]} you^& and to you^&, the ones being afflicted^{[put under pressure]}, relaxation ^{[in company]}with us in the revelation of The Lord Jesus ^[away]from Heaven with^{[in midst of]} His angels of miraculous power in a fire of flame, giving avenging to the ones not aware^{[to perceive]} of God and to the ones not obeying the gospel of The Lord of ours, Jesus / \, who shall undergo painful consequences with reference to justice: eternal termination away from The Lord’s face and away from the glory^{[exaltation with majestic radiant splendor]} of His ^/strength” (2 Thes. 1:5-9 APT).

“And with every kind of enticement of ^/unrighteousness in the perishing ones, instead of which they did not hospitably welcome the love ^{[sovereign preference over self. and others]} of The Truth^{[Jn. 14:6]} in order for them to be saved. And because of this The God shall send to them an effectual working error in order for them to commit trust in the lie” (2 Thes. 2:10-12 APT).

VI. AN INDICATION PRODUCED: FAITHFUL TO HIS FATHER

    A. The Indication Produced by The Lord Jesus Christ;

The Baptism of Violent Death indicated that The Lord Jesus Christ was Faithful to His Father unto death, even unto the death of the cross (Phil. 2:8).

“. . . in Christ Jesus, . . . and, since being found in fashion as a human, He humbled Himself and became obedient til death, in fact a cross-death” (Phil. 1:8 APT).

    B. The Indication Produced by The Lord Jesus Christ’s Disciples:

The Baptism of Violent Death indicated that the disciples of The Lord Jesus Christ are true to The Lord Jesus Christ and Faithful to The Father whatever it costs even the death of a martyr. They belong to Christ.

C. The Indication by the Unregenerate Ones

The Baptism of Violent Death indicated that the unregenerated ones refused to be persuaded to commit trust to The Lord Jesus Christ but remained faithful to their father the Devil.

“The Lord Jesus Christ shall not reign over me. I refuse to belong to The Lord Jesus Christ” (Lk. 19:14, see above). “I belong to my father, the Devil” (see Jn. 8:34,44).

“^/Jesus answered them, Amen, Amen, I am saying to you^&, ‘‘Everyone who continually commits the sin is continually a bondslave of the sin. . . . You^& yourselves are continually of ⁰father the devil and the lusts^{[earnest desires]} of your^{& /}father you^& are determinedly willing to constantly do. That one was continually a human killer from beginning. And he was not continually standing fast in the truth because ⁰truth is continuously not in him. Whenever he speak the falsehood, he is speaking out of his own things because he is continuously a liar and the father of it^[falsehood]” (Jn. 8:34,44 APT).

Also note Rom. 2:4-6 under III.C above.

VII. AN IDENTIFICATION PROFESSED:

    A. By The Lord Jesus Christ

The Baptism of Violent Death identified The Lord Jesus Christ as the world’s only Savior from Sin (Acts 4:12), Who alone was qualified to serve as a sinless substitute to endure the wrath of The God upon Sin for the whole world of people from creation (Jn. 1:29).

“And the Salvation is positively not by means of any^{[not one]} other^{[same kind]} one⁺, for neither is another^{[different kind of]} name /under ^/Heaven\ which stands given among humans by means of which it is absolutely necessary for us to be saved” (Acts 4:12 APT).

“On the morrow /he^[John] sees ^/Jesus coming to him and he says, Behold The Lamb of The God Who is carrying off the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1:29 APT).

B. By The Lord Jesus Christ’s Disciples

The Baptism of Violent Death identifies the disciple of The Lord Jesus Christ as a martyr. The New Testament records the martyrdom of two of His disciples, Stephen and James the son of Zebedee and brother of John (Acts 7:59,60; 12:2).

“And they repeatedly pelted ^/Stephen with stones, while he was repeatedly invoking and saying, O Lord Jesus, ^{[Ps. 31:5]}hospitably receive my ^/spirit! Then when he knelt^{[lit.: lay down the knees]} down, he exclaimed with a great call, O Lord, this ^/sin is to never stand against them! And when he said this, he became reposed in sleep” (Acts 7:59,60 APT).

“Now at that season of ^/time Herod^{[Agrippa I]} the king applied his hands to evilly treat certain of the⁺ ones from the church. Then he executed James the brother of John by means of a short sword” (Acts 12:1,2 APT).

    C. By the Unregenerate

The Baptism of Violent Death identifies the sinner with Satan (Mt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10-15).

“At that time He shall say also to the ones on ⁰left^&, Journey away from Me, you^& cursed ones, unto the eternal ^/fire, ^|namely^| the^~ one having been prepared for the devil and his ^/angels!” (Mt. 25:41 APT).

“And the devil who misled them was cast into the Lake of the Fire and Brimstone^{[burning sulphur]}, where /also the beast and the false prophet ^|are^|. And they shall be tortured^{[grievously pained]} daytime and nighttime for ^/ever and ^/evermore. And I beheld a great white throne and The⁺ One sitting upon it, away from Whose face the Earth and the Heaven successfully fled and a place was not found for them. And I beheld the dead ones, /the great ones and the little ones,^{[/little ones and great ones]} remaining standing in the viewpoint of ^{[/The God]}/the throne. And scrolls were opened. And another scroll was opened, which is ^|The Book^[Scroll]| of The Absolute Life. And the dead ones were judged out of the ones standing written in the scrolls according to the works of theirs. And the sea gave the dead ones, ^{[/ \]}/^|namely^| the ones\ in it. And the death and the hell^{[Háh-ihdays temporary abode for departed human spirits]} gave the dead ones, ^{[/ ]}/^|namely^| the ones\ in them. And they were judged each one according to the works of theirs. And the death and the hell^{[Háh-ihdays temporary abode for departed human spirits]} were cast into the Lake of the Fire. This is the second ^{[/ \]}death: ^{[/ \]}/the Lake of the Fire\. And if (and it is true) anyone ^|who^| was not found standing written in The Volume of The Absolute Life, he^{[or she]} was cast into the Lake of the Fire. . . . But to frightful ones and to faithless ones and to sinners and to abominating ones and to murderers and to sexually immoral ones and to sorcerers^{[dealers in black magic and drugs]} and to idolaters and to all the lying ones, the part of theirs ^|shall be^| in the lake, ^|namely^| the^{^} one continuously burning with fire and brimstone” (Rev. 20:10-15; 21:8 APT).

COMPARISON OF THE FIRST FOUR BAPTISMS:

    The Baptism unto Moses took place at the beginning of Israel’s relationship to The God under the Law. The people of Israel were delivered from the power of sin and from the world behind them through redemption by the blood of the lamb in Egypt and through redemption by power in passing through the Red Sea. This was accomplished so that the world had no more dominion and control over them. They were free from bondage and Sin and were identified with The True God to be an habitation for The God.

    The Baptism by John took place at the close of Israel’s relationship to God under the Law. Those Jews baptized by John after repentance were identified with the Kingdom of God and Heaven, marking those Israelites out as those who were forgiven of their sins and awaiting the coming of Christ (The Messiah) because not all Israel was awaiting The Messiah. These two baptisms recorded in The New Testament refer to The Old Testament. One baptism referred to the initiation of a nation under Law and the other the conclusion of the nation under Law and introduced them to the new relationship to The Messiah.

    The Baptism of Christ took place at the beginning of the ministry of The Lord Jesus Christ in preparation of The New Covenant and indicated His righteousness. It identified Him as The Fulfiller of all Righteousness. This Baptism introduced The One Who is The Lamb of The God Who fulfilled all righteousness enabling Him to take away Sin and establish righteousness.

    The Baptism of Violent Death for The Lord Jesus Christ took place at the end of His physical human life on Friday, 14 Nisan (April 3), A.D. 33, when He endured the fiery wrath of The God upon Sin for the whole world of people from the creation of human beings. The Baptism of Violent Death for the disciples of The Lord Jesus Christ takes place when they face violent physical death to be martyred for the sake of The Lord Jesus Christ. The Baptism of Violent Death for the unregenerate ones takes place at the end of time immediately after the Great White Throne Judgment takes place in outer space.

CONCLUSION:

The Baptism of Violent Death indicates faithfulness unto death under wrath. The Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated that He was Faithful to His Father even unto death in darkness under the wrath of The God. The disciples of The Lord Jesus Christ demonstrate that they are faithful to their Heavenly Father and to His Son even unto death by martyrdom brought on by human wrath. The unregenerate ones demonstrate that they too are faithful to their father the devil even unto eternal death in darkness under the eternal wrath of The God in the Lake of Fire.

How does your baptism compare with The God’s Word? How will you live? What will you do to conform to the true meaning of baptism? The choice is yours! Which baptism of violent death by fire will you choose? Either The Baptism which The Lord Jesus Christ endured in darkness under the fiery wrath of The God for you on Calvary’s cross, which you can appropriate by repentance and persistent committed trust to The Lord Jesus Christ which may result in martyrdom but a special reward from The Lord Jesus Himself ? Or the baptism of violent eternal death by fire under the wrath of The God which will be rewarded with excruciating suffering which will last throughout Eternity with your father the devil? Choose well! Your choice is brief but endless!

^{| |} understood   ^$singular   ^&plural   ^/the  ⁰no article  ⁺masculine  ^~neuter
^{[ ]}basic meaning  / \ manuscripts divided   ^{^}femine

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Last modified: October 3, 2007