Section 4
know from the record in the book of Acts that after the Lord's death this fire became a flame.
PRESSED UNTIL HIS BAPTISM
IS ACCOMPLISHED
In 12:50 the Lord goes on to say, "But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am pressed until it is accomplished!" The word "bap tism" here reminds us of the Lord's word to James and John in Mark 10:38: "Are you able to drink the cup which I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" Both the cup and the baptism refer to the Lord's death. The cup signified that His death was the Godgiven portion for Him to take for the sinners whom He would redeem for God. Baptism de noted that His death was the God-ordained way for Him to pass through for the accomplishment of God's redemption for sinners.
The Greek word rendered "pressed" in Luke 12:50 may also be translated "constrained." The Lord was constrained in His flesh, which He put upon Himself in His incarnation. He needed to die, to be baptized, in physical death so that His unlimited and infinite divine being with His divine life might be released from His flesh. His divine life, after being released through His