Dave, thanks for reminding me. I intended to reply to those questions, but
overlooked them in the post.
I have no reason to believe that the 11 had been baptised prior to Jesus'
appearance to them. I have not read in scripture that any of them were. Of
course, there are different types of baptism, and they may have been
baptised for the remission of sins, but perhaps not baptised in Jesus' name.
You mentioned the washing of Peter's feet...I will read that again and see
if I can see any allusion to baptism there...in previous readings I did not.
I tend to try not to assign symbolism to very many things, unless it
explained as such in scrupture. I feel it is dangerous to assign symbolism
where none exists, and that doing so leads to and is a major source of
error, especially in understanding the end times. I feel that if there is
symbolism, it will either be explained as such (Luke 8:11-15), or will be
used in a simile (Matt 13:33), or will be so obvious that it cannot be
explained any other way (Matt 24:32,33).
As for thier unbelief, I believe that after Jesus' cricifixion and
burial they were despondent, and their faith was probaby at a low. I am sure
they thought that it was not supposed to go this way (having not fully
understood what was meant by Jesus' having to be raised up on the third
day). Not believing that the Marys saw Jesus after his butial was tantamount
at that point to not believing the gospel (which was not complete, BTW,
until he was raised!). His resurrection IS the power of the gospel. Without
beleiving that he was raised from the dead, the gosepl is just vain words.
All through Acts it is the RESURRECTION is preached, not the crucifixion.
The resurrection IS the GOOD NEWS! Praise God for that!
So, until they saw the resurrected Jesus, I think they did not fully
understand. Thomas is one example of this...he felt free enough to openly
state his doubt. In fact, they all had disbelief...that is why he upbraided
them when he appeared to them. I think his resurrection is what convinced
the apostles of the truth of the gospel...until Jesus was raised, his
crucifixion meant to them that their leader and their hopes were forever
lost. That is why they did not believe the Marys when they told them they
had seen Jesus...had they had fully understood and believed the gospel, they
would have believed the Marys.
Now, that being said, it makes sense that he would upbraid them for their
unbeleif...it also makes sense that he warns them that any of them that do
not believe (after now having seen that he was raised) would be damned! NOW
they were to beleive and be baptised...into Christ.
I hope this is clear...I am not a theologian and often cannot make my
thoughts clear in writing.
Perry
From: "David Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org
To: <TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org>
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Who decides
Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 09:37:08 -0500
Perry, I forgot to ask you again to address the situation of baptism in
regards to the eleven. Do you think they needed to be baptized again /
first time / what? Explain your perception of when they were baptized in
the context of, "he who believes and is baptized..."
Also, isn't the context of "believe" here concerning believing the gospel?
They had already believed the gospel that Jesus preached, and they
themselves preached had already been preaching it to those specific cities
where the Lord had sent them. What they had trouble believing was his
bodily resurrection, and their commission to preach was being extended to
the whole world and every creature. How do you see it?
Peace be with you.
David Miller.
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