Season 3 Podcast 55 The Straight and Narrow Way

The Straight and Narrow WayBy sheer coincidence of the English language, there are two straight and narrow ways. The first is spelled S-T-R-A-I-G-H-T the second is spelled S-T-R-A-I-T.S-T-R-A-I-G-H-T suggests an undeviating path: honesty, integrity, fidelity, strict obedience, etc. The Savior said, cvv“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: or whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matthew 5:37)He is talking about the undeviating course.  S-T-R-A-I-T is used in the Bible when speaking of the doctrines of Christ.  A (S-T-R-A-I-T) is a narrow waterway that connects two large bodies of water.  Traditionally Christians have equated the “strait and narrow way ” to baptism:  “5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)To be born of the spirit is to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is the ‘S-T-R-A-I-T and narrow gate’ into the kingdom of God. “13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)Baptism is a symbol of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  One must be baptized to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.4-B 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)Baptism, preceded by faith and repentance, is the gate at the beginning of the journey that leads into the S-T-R-A-I-G-H-T and narrow way.  There is an extremely coincidental story in the New Testament that vividly illustrates the dual uses of the term “straight and narrow” way. It is the story of the conversion of Paul.1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. (Acts 9:1-9)