In the life of Jesus, three forms of Baptism were mentioned. We read of Him being baptized with water by John the Baptist. In quick succession, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove upon him. It is easy to see two baptisms here; one with water, and the other with the Holy Ghost. But further in the Gospel story, we see Jesus commenting about a baptism that He had not yet accomplished: “I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished.” Lk 12:50.

You see that “baptism of suffering”, every believer in Christ must partake of it. What do you think Christ was saying to James and John, in the company of their mother requesting to sit on the right and the other on the left hand of Christ? “…And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:” Mk 10:39.

True to it, James and John, and all of the early disciples of Christ as well as other Apostles experienced severe suffering for their unwavering followership of Christ. James was executed with the sword, and John was forced to live in exile after much suffering. Peter was crucified upside down and Paul was beheaded in Rome. What a height of suffering! When Christians are not able to stand mere ridicule by men, you wonder where they got that brand of Christianity from. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Phil 1:29. Any Christianity that cannot endure suffering for the sake of Christ cannot stand the test of time.

Unfortunately, our generation do not understand what it means to suffer for Christ. The only brand of Christianity we understand is the one where everything is going on smoothly. We have not developed capacity strong enough to handle oppositions and difficulties that come as a result of our faith in Christ. But let me not deceive you, many oppositions will come your way. What matters is whether your faith in Christ will stand or not. Paul was clear in his address to the early believers and by extension to us “to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22. May God help us!