act acknowledge the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of the Son. — fig rb ovopa, x.r.X., into the name, etc.1) This formula of Baptism is most solemn and important ; in fact it embraces the sum of all piety.2 After our Lord's resurrection, the mystery of the Holy Trinity was most clearly revealed, to gether with the relations of the Divine Persons to each other and to us (see Gnomon on Rom. viii. 9) ; and since the confession of the Holy Trinity was so closely interwoven with Baptism, it is not to be wondered at, that it is not frequently put thus ex pressly in the Scriptures of the New Testament.
20. Avrovs, them) The disciples had been instructed in order that they might instruct others. — rr,psTv, to observe, to keep) as it becomes the baptized to do by virtue of faith, not merely as a legal performance. John often speaks thus. This verb deserves especial attention, from its occurrence in this solemn place. — fviTti^dpqv, I have commanded) These commandments are to be found in Matt. v. ; John xv. etc. — P& vpuv, with you} even when you shall be scattered apart through the wiiole world. This promise belongs also to the whole Church, for our Lord adds, " even to the end of the ivorld." — vdaa: rag r^spas, always) literally, all the days, i.e., every single day. A continual pre sence, and one most actually present ; see Mark xvi. 17, 19, 20.3 — 'iwg r?]S ffuvreXiias TQV aivvos, unto the end of the world) For then we shall be with the Lord [as He is even now with us]. [To Him, therefore, Reader, commit thyself, and remain in Him ; so will it be best for thee in time and in eternity. — B. G. V.]
i Engl. Vers. " In the name.— (I. B.)
1 At the baptism of Christ Jesus Himself, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost manifested themselves [cf. Gnomon on ch. iii. 16, 17]. The entire Sum of Saving knowledge and doctrine is bound up with Baptisrii : and all the Ancient Creeds and Confessions of Faith are, in fact, a Peri phrasis and Working-out {Ausfuhrung, rendered by E. B. i%ipyet<riei] of this incomparably momentous Formula of Baptism. — B. G. V.
8 Therefore the Christian Church will never entirely expire. — B. G. V.