Doctrine of Baptisms

Baptism with Sufferings

Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom." But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father."(Matthew 20:20-23)

Jesus asked the sons of Zebedee if they will be able to drink the cup He was about to drink and be baptized with the baptism He was about to be baptized with? The “cup” and “baptism” He was talking about were allegories to the sufferings and afflictions that wait Him. We see Him in the garden of Gethsemane praying to God the Father that if possible He should let the cup pass from Him. He told His disciples that, indeed they will drink His cup and be baptized with the sufferings that await Him. He also says “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matt 5:10-12.

We realized that the early church went through a lot of persecutions and trials. They didn’t stumble or fall but stood firm in the faith. The Bible makes it clear that we also shall go through trials and tribulations. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” “But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” “But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Romans 8:16-18, 1Peter 3:14 ; 4:13 and Philippians 1:29 respectively.)

Paul said in 2 Cor 1:5-7, “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.”

Col 1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

2 Timothy 3:10-12 “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

So we see that Paul had fellowship even in the sufferings of Christ (Philippians 3:10). Be of good courage when you go through sufferings as a child of God.