What kind of baptism was Jesus talking about when He said He had a baptism to be accomplished?
It was not water baptism. Jesus spoke of the baptism of His suffering, death, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection—being placed under all the ramifications of those events. The disciples could never undergo that baptism, yet He called it a baptism.
Les explains that baptism in Scripture does not always mean water. Israel’s passage through the Red Sea was called a baptism, not because of water, but because they were placed under Moses’ leadership and the Shekinah Glory cloud, identified with Moses and his leadership. In the same way, when Jesus said He had a baptism to be accomplished, He meant His death, His suffering, and all the ramifications of His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. The disciples could never do that, but He still called it a baptism.
But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
See the restBut I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
More Questions
Where else is baptism used in Scripture without referring to water?
Another place in Scripture where baptism is used and never refers to water is when the disciples thought they could go and do whatever Jesus was going to do.