[sevenbak]

The Apostles that Christ was talking to were all previously (in verse 19) told to “Go into all the world, and teach all nations, baptizing them...” Thy were all cruelly martyred later as well. That doesn’t mean Christ wasn’t with them, he was, to the very end, and to our very end, if we are faithful.
The apostasy isn’t about Christ leaving his true disciples, it’s about them leaving Him.

I’m curious... since you brought up this verse... do you think that baptism is mandatory and essential, as Christ told his apostles in these verses. I know that many of the “evangelical types” don’t consider it absolutely necessary.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***I’m curious... since you brought up this verse... do you think that baptism is mandatory and essential, as Christ told his apostles in these verses. I know that many of the “evangelical types” don’t consider it absolutely necessary.***

Those that are ready for baptism have already had their sins forgiven when they believed. Baptism is merely a formality. I have debated this many times with the Campbellite FR posters.