Jesus Himself used the image of \u201cbaptism\u201d to describe His future sufferings.<\/b> The word \u201cbaptism\u201d in the New Testament means complete immersion<\/i> \u2014and Christ applied this image not only to water, but also to suffering. At Golgotha He was fully \u201cimmersed\u201d in agony and death, shedding His blood for the sins of the world. Therefore, the expression \u201cbaptism by blood\u201d is a figurative way of describing the fullness of His sacrifice<\/b>.<\/p>\nBaptism as an image of complete immersion<\/h2>\n
When James and John asked Him for a special position, Christ answered with a question:<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?\u201d Mark 10:38<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
At that time the disciples did not understand that Jesus was speaking about His future sufferings<\/i>. He used the image of the cup and baptism<\/b>, to describe what awaited Him on the cross.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!\u201d Luke 12:50<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Here Christ is already looking ahead to Golgotha. This is that \u201cbaptism\u201d into which He must be fully immersed.<\/b><\/p>\n
Why people speak of \u201cbaptism by blood\u201d<\/h2>\n
This expression is an image of Christ\u2019s sacrifice<\/i>. He was fully immersed in suffering and death when He shed His blood for the sins of the world:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.\u201d 1 John 1:7<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cFor you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold… but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.\u201d 1 Peter 1:18\u201319<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
At Golgotha Christ fully took upon Himself the consequences of human sin<\/b>. He experienced spiritual darkness, suffering, and death for the sake of humanity\u2019s salvation. Ellen White writes in The Desire of Ages: on the cross Christ bore the burden of the sin of the whole world and experienced a profound sense of abandonment. He did not merely die physically\u2014He experienced the full weight of sin in order to open the way of salvation to humanity.<\/i><\/p>\n
How \u201cbaptism by fire\u201d is different<\/h2>\n
It is important to understand: the expression \u201cbaptism by fire\u201d in the Bible refers to a different context<\/b>:<\/p>\n