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Baptizing them.—Or, more correctly according to the reading '''βαπτίσαντες:''' ''having baptized them''. But '''μαθητεύειν''' is not completed in baptism. Rather are there two acts, a missionary and an ecclesiastical,—the antecedent baptism, the subsequent instruction. [Meyer: “'''βαπτίζοντες''', etc., by which the '''μαθητεύειν''' is to be brought about, not what is to take place after the '''μαθητεύσατε''', which would require '''μαθητεύσαντες-βαπτίζετε'''.” Alford: “The μαθη τεύειν consists of two parts—the initiatory, admissory rite, and the subsequent teaching. It is much to be regretted that the rendering of '''μαθ.''', ''‘ teach,’'' has in our Bibles clouded the meaning of these important words. It will be observed that in our Lord’s words, as in the Church, the process of ordinary discipleship is ''from baptism to instruction''—i. e., is ''admission in infancy to the covenant'', and ''growing up into'' '''τηρεῖν πάντα, κ. τ. λ.'''” But this applies only to Christian churches already established. As the Jewish religion commenced with the promise of God, and the faith and circumcision of ''adult'' Abraham, who received circumcision as a sign and seal of the covenant already established (Rom. 4:11) for himself and for his seed, so the Christian Church was founded in the beginning, and is now propagated in all heathen countries by the preaching of the Gospel to, and by the baptism of, ''adults''. Infant baptism always presupposes the existence of a responsible ''parent'' church and the guaranty of Christian nurture which must develop and make available the blessings of the baptismal covenant. Hence the preponderance of adult over infant baptism in the first centuries of Christianity, and in all missionary stations to this day. But even in the case of adult converts, a ''full'' instruction in the Christian religion and development of Christian life, does not, as a rule, precede, but succeed baptism, which is an initiatory, not a consummatory rite, the sacramental sign and seal of regeneration, ''i. e.'', of the beginning of the new life, not of sanctification or growth and perfection in holiness.—P. S.] (<small>''italics and boldface emphasis in original''</small>)}}

Baptizing them.—Or, more correctly according to the reading '''βαπτίσαντες:''' ''having baptized them''. But '''μαθητεύειν''' is not completed in baptism. Rather are there two acts, a missionary and an ecclesiastical,—the antecedent baptism, the subsequent instruction. [Meyer: “'''βαπτίζοντες''', etc., by which the '''μαθητεύειν''' is to be brought about, not what is to take place after the '''μαθητεύσατε''', which would require '''μαθητεύσαντες-βαπτίζετε'''.” Alford: “The μαθη τεύειν consists of two parts—the initiatory, admissory rite, and the subsequent teaching. It is much to be regretted that the rendering of '''μαθ.''', ''‘ teach,’'' has in our Bibles clouded the meaning of these important words. It will be observed that in our Lord’s words, as in the Church, the process of ordinary discipleship is ''from baptism to instruction''—i. e., is ''admission in infancy to the covenant'', and ''growing up into'' '''τηρεῖν πάντα, κ. τ. λ.'''” But this applies only to Christian churches already established. As the Jewish religion commenced with the promise of God, and the faith and circumcision of ''adult'' Abraham, who received circumcision as a sign and seal of the covenant already established (Rom. 4:11) for himself and for his seed, so the Christian Church was founded in the beginning, and is now propagated in all heathen countries by the preaching of the Gospel to, and by the baptism of, ''adults''. Infant baptism always presupposes the existence of a responsible ''parent'' church and the guaranty of Christian nurture which must develop and make available the blessings of the baptismal covenant. Hence the preponderance of adult over infant baptism in the first centuries of Christianity, and in all missionary stations to this day. But even in the case of adult converts, a ''full'' instruction in the Christian religion and development of Christian life, does not, as a rule, precede, but succeed baptism, which is an initiatory, not a consummatory rite, the sacramental sign and seal of regeneration, ''i. e.'', of the beginning of the new life, not of sanctification or growth and perfection in holiness.—P. S.] (<small>''italics and boldface emphasis in original''</small>)}}

[https://biblehub.com/commentaries/mchw/matthew/28.htm '''Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible''' Mt 28] {{quotation|}}

[https://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhcw/matthew/28.htm '''Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible''' Mt 28:19] {{quotation|[3.] Their instructions for executing this commission.

 

First, They must admit disciples by the sacred rite of baptism; "Go into all nations, preach the gospel to them, work miracles among them, and persuade them to come in themselves, and bring their children with them, into the church of Christ, and then admit them and theirs into the church, by washing them with water;" either dipping them in the water, or pouring or sprinkling water upon them, which seems the more proper, because the thing is most frequently expressed so, as Isa. 44:3, I will pour my Spirit on thy seed. And, Tit. 3:5, 6, Which he shed on us abundantly. And, Eze. 36:25, I will sprinkle clean water upon you. And, Isa. 52:15, So shall he sprinkle many nations; which seems a prophecy of this commission to baptize the nations.}}

[https://biblehub.com/commentaries/parker/matthew/28.htm '''The People's Bible by Joseph Parker''' Mt 28] {{quotation|}}

[https://biblehub.com/commentaries/parker/matthew/28.htm '''The People's Bible by Joseph Parker''' Mt 28] {{quotation|}}