The Baptism and Testimony of John The Baptist

Clinton Thomas Watson

Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

John 1:19–34

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Baptism and Membership

Notes

Transcript

1. Day 1

2. Day 2

3. Day 3

AS indicated by the outline we will take these a day at a time and John gives us nice and tidy outline to follow. However, before we go through these 3 days i want to lay a foundation or set the table on John and his Baptism.

The Jews of Jerusalem sent priest and Levites to John to ask who he was.

He proclaims “I am not the Christ” . In other words I am not the anointed one. I am not the Messiah.

Then are you Elijah? Why jump from Jesus to Elijah? Why not Moses or David

Malachi 3:1 ESV

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

Mala

Malachi 4:5 ESV

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

John 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary First Day, First Group, First Emphasis

John was not actually Elijah as the Jews expected; instead he was Elijah-like, coming “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). As noted above, John preached with the same boldness and power as Elijah did. Had the Jewish people believed his message and accepted Jesus as the Messiah, John would have been the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy. “If you are willing to accept it,” declared Jesus, “John himself is Elijah who was to come” (Matt. 11:14). With those words, Jesus interpreted Malachi’s prophecy as referring to one similar to Elijah and not to the prophet himself. John’s reply to the delegation may also suggest that he did not understand himself to be Elijah even in the sense that Jesus affirmed he was. Leon Morris notes,

No man is what he is in his own eyes. He really is only as he is known to God. At a later time Jesus equated John with the Elijah of Malachi’s prophecy, but that does not carry with it the implication that John himself was aware of the true position.… Jesus confers on John his true significance. No man is what he himself thinks he is. He is only what Jesus knows him to be. (The Gospel According to John, The New International Commentary on the New Testament [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979], 135–36)

John was chosen as a forerunner to Jesus. Jesus said no one greater than John from OT.

Luke 7:38 ESV

and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.

Luke 7:28 ESV

I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Why did John come?

“The reason I came baptising with Water is so that he might be revealed to Isreal.”

To Who? Isreal?

How did he come? Baptizing

What did the jewish people know about Baptism? Until now the sign of the covenant was circumcision. How did they even know to call it baptism?

“Although the term "baptism" is not used to describe the Jewish rituals, the purification rites in Jewish laws and tradition, called "Tvilah", have some similarity to baptism, and the two have been linked. The "Tvilah" is the act of immersion in natural sourced water, called a "Mikva"[1][2] In the Jewish Bible and other Jewish texts, immersion in water for ritual purification was established for restoration to a condition of "ritual purity" in specific circumstances. For example, Jews who (according to the Law of Moses) became ritually defiled by contact with a corpse had to use the mikvah before being allowed to participate in the Holy Temple. Immersion is required for converts to Judaism as part of their conversion.[3] Immersion in the mikvah represents a change in status in regards to purification, restoration, and qualification for full religious participation in the life of the community, ensuring that the cleansed person will not impose uncleanness on property or its owners.[4][5] It did not become customary,[6] however, to immerse converts to Judaism until after the Babylonian Captivity.[7]”

Wikipedia

baptizing ministry of John the Baptist. This is the New Testament origin of Christian baptism. There is a close continuity between Christian Baptism and John's baptism. John began baptizing, Jesus continued baptizing, and he commanded the church to keep on with the practice : though now the act would be done in his name. So there are crucial things to learn about baptism from the baptism of John.

John 1:31 ESV

I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”

The most important thing to learn is that when a Jewish person received John's baptism, it was a radical act of individual commitment to belong to the true people of God, based on personal confession and repentance, NOT on corporate identity with Israel through birth.

that is, this is one of the main reasons that I do not believe in baptizing infants, who cannot make this personal commitment or confession or repentance. John's baptism was an assault on the very assumptions that give rise to much infant baptism. Let me try to explain and show you what I mean from .

First of all, get the picture. According to verses 1-2, John comes into "the wilderness of Judea, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" He is in Judea and he is preaching to Jews, God's chosen people. He is the promised prophet who would come and prepare the way of the Lord : make things ready for the Messiah. It's important to realize that John's ministry was to Jews, not primarily to Gentiles.

John Piper Sermon MAY 4, 1997 I Baptize You with Water

He testified to 3 groups in 3 days. 3 day John

The reason this is important is that the Jews are already God's chosen people in an outward, ethnic sense. So this means that John's radical call to repentance was being given to Jews who were already part of the historic people of God. These are the people John was telling to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. These were people who were part of God's covenant and they had the sign of the covenant : at least the men did : namely, circumcision.

He testified to 3 groups in 3 days. 3 day John

(). He called for the Jews to admit that they were sinners and needed to get right with God, and to admit that being Jews was no guarantee of being saved. In other words baptism was a sign that they were renouncing their old dependency on ethnic Jewishness and were relying wholly on the mercy of God to forgive those who confess their sins and repent.

Now what does all this tell us about baptism? Three things:

2. John's baptism was a sign of personal, individual repentance, not a sign of birth into a covenant family. It is hard to overstate how radical this was in John's day.

1. It tells us that John's baptism is not simple continuation of circumcision. This is important because those who defend infant baptism often appeal to circumcision as the old sign of the covenant and say that baptism is the new sign. The one was given to infants and so should the other be.

2. John's baptism was a sign of personal, individual repentance, not a sign of birth into a covenant family. It is hard to overstate how radical this was in John's day.

3. John's baptism fits what we see in all the rest of the New Testament, and indeed in all the first two centuries of the Christian era until A.D. 200 when Tertullian mentions infant baptism for the first time in any historical document, namely, that all baptism was the baptism of believers, not infants. And the reason was that baptism was the sign of belonging to the new people of God who are constituted not by birth or ethnic identity, but by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.He testified to 3 groups in 3 days. 3 day John

He testified to 3 groups in 3 days. 3 day John

The Baptism of JohnHe testified to 3 groups in 3 days. 3 day John

Piper Sermon MAY 4, 1997 I Baptize You with Water

1. Day 1 / Priest and Levites / Emphasis was urgent and simple. Prepare your hearts the Messiah is here!

John 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary First Day, First Group, First Emphasis

John’s first emphasis was simple, yet urgent: Prepare your hearts, because the Messiah is here. The prophecy of Isaiah six hundred years earlier that the way was to be prepared for Messiah’s coming was being fulfilled. And it would not be economic, military, or political. The next conversation proves that it would be a deliverance and a kingdom that was deeply spiritual.

Sadduccess =

Pharasees =

Mitchell, M. (2003). Sadducees. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 1432). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Pharasees =

Sanhedrian =

Pharisees The Pharisees constituted the largest and most important group, Josephus stating that they numbered about 6,000. They appear in the Gospels as opponents of Jesus. Paul was a Pharisee (). They controlled the synagogues and exercised great control over much of the population.

Draper, C. W. with Harrop Clayton. (2003). Jewish Parties in the New Testament. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 916). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

John 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary First Day, First Group, First Emphasis

The delegation sent to investigate John was composed of priests and Levites, at least some of whom were Pharisees (see the discussion of v. 24 below). The priests were the human intermediaries between God and man, and officiated at the religious ceremonies (cf. Luke 1:8–9). They were also the theological authorities in Israel. When they were not serving in the temple for their two-week annual duty, they lived throughout the land as local experts on religion. The Levites assisted the priests in the temple rituals (cf. Num. 3:6–10; 18:2–4). Since the temple police force was made up of Levites (cf. 7:32; Luke 22:4; Acts 4:1; 5:24), they likely served as a security detachment to protect the priests in the delegation.

SANHEDRIN (Săn hēʹ drĭn) Highest Jewish council in the first century. The council had 71 members and was presided over by the high priest. The Sanhedrin included both of the main Jewish parties among its membership. Since the high priest presided, the Sadducean priestly party seems to have predominated, but some leading Pharisees also were members (; ).

The word “Sanhedrin” is usually translated “council” in the English translations of the Bible. Because of the predominance of the chief priests in the Sanhedrin, at times the words “chief priests” seem to refer to the action of the Sanhedrin, even though the name itself is not used.

Dean, R. J. (2003). Sanhedrin. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 1445). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Who are You? I’m not the christ.

Are You Elijah?

Malachi 4:5 ESV

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

The Jews were expecting Elijah to come back just before the Messiah based on Malachi prophecy.

John was chosen as a forerunner to Jesus.

Are you the Prophet?

Deuteronomy 18:15 ESV

“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—

Deut 18.15

Who are you so we can an answer to those who sent us?

John’s reply was undoubtedly not what the delegation expected to hear. Rather than claiming to be someone important, he humbly referred to himself merely as a voice of one crying in the wilderness. Leon Morris observes,

“The point of the quotation is that it gives no prominence to the preacher whatever. He is not an important person, like a prophet or the Messiah. He is no more than a voice (contrast the reference to Jesus as ‘the Word’). He is a voice, moreover, with but one thing to say.… ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’ is a call to be ready, for the coming of the Messiah is near.” (The Gospel According to John, 137)

John’s self-abasement is reminiscent of Paul, who viewed himself as “the very least of all saints” (; cf. ; ). It is also in keeping with Jesus’ admonition, “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done’ ” ().

His Message

“Make straight the way of the Lord,” was a challenge both to the nation and to his questioners to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Messiah. The analogous imagery is of all barriers being leveled and impediments smoothed out in preparation for the visit of an ancient Eastern king. John and Isaiah likened the hearts of Messiah’s people to a desolate wilderness, through which a smooth, level road needed to be prepared for His coming. Once again, John emphasized his humility and subordinate role. He was merely a laborer, preparing the road in advance of the King.

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). (p. 53). Chicago: Moody Press., J. F., Jr. (2006). (pp. 52–53). Chicago: Moody Press.

2. Day 2 / 2nd Emphasis

John Piper sermon

MAY 4, 1997

John 1:29 ESV

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

I Baptize You with Water

The Baptism of John

john 1.

Resource by John Piper Scripture: Topic: Baptism & Membership

The Next Day introduces a sequence of days.

Jesus was coming toward HIm.

The day after he spoke to Priest and Levites he sees Jesus coming and as a faithful Herald says behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

John 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Second Day, Second Group, Second Emphasis

The phrase the next day introduces a sequence of days, which continues in verses 35, 43, and 2:1. Apparently, the events from John’s interview with the delegation from Jerusalem (vv. 19–28) to the miracle at Cana (2:1–11) spanned one week. On the day after he spoke to the delegation, John saw Jesus coming to him. Faithful to his duty as a herald, and defining a momentous redemptive moment, John immediately called the crowd’s attention to Him, exclaiming “Behold, the Lamb of God.” That title, used only in John’s writings (cf. v. 36; Rev. 5:6; 6:9; 7:10, 17; 14:4, 10; 15:3; 17:14; 19:9; 21:22–23; 22:1, 3), is the first in a string of titles given to Jesus in the remaining verses of this chapter; the rest include Rabbi (vv. 38, 49), Messiah (v. 41), Son of God (vv. 34, 49), King of Israel (v. 49), Son of Man (v. 51), and “Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (v. 45). That was not a guess on John’s part, but was revelation from God that was absolutely true, as the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus proved.

The concept of a sacrificial Lamb was a familiar one to the Jewish people. All through Israel’s history God had revealed clearly that sin and separation from Him could be removed only by blood sacrifices (cf. ). No forgiveness of sin could be granted by God apart from an acceptable substitute dying as a sacrifice. They knew of Abraham’s confidence that God would provide a lamb to offer in place of Isaac (). A lamb was sacrificed at Passover (; ), in the daily sacrifices in the tabernacle and later in the temple (), and as a sin offering by individuals (). God also made it clear that none of those sacrifices were sufficient to take away sin (cf. ). They were also aware that Isaiah’s prophecy likened Messiah to “a lamb that is led to slaughter” (; cf. ; ). Though Israel sought a Messiah who would be a prophet, king, and conqueror, God had to send them a Lamb. And He did.

John 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Second Day, Second Group, Second Emphasis

Though Israel sought a Messiah who would be a prophet, king, and conqueror, God had to send them a Lamb. And He did.

The title Lamb of God foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross for the sin of the world. With this brief statement, the prophet John made it clear that the Messiah had come to deal with sin.

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). (p. 55). Chicago: Moody Press.

The Lamb of God speaks to God’s seriousness about our sin problem. God’s Holiness demands death, blood, sacrifice, for there to be Justice. Our sins are henous in the sight of God. We get our moral code from him. Everyone has a moral code. IN our bones we know intuitively without being told that their are some things that are just wrong.

For example, If i walked down off this stage and plunged a knife into the chest of one of you everyone here would rightly conclude that i was wrong and perhaps evil in my actions. I would not have to tell you this. You have an inborn sense of right and wrong. It would be wrong for us to continue the service after I had done this as if nothing had ever happen. You would protest and rightly so. You would conclude I was crazy. This was absurd! That is called Universalism in Theological terms. Everyone gos to heaven despite their sin that has been against a Holy God!

Our sin is like this before a holy God. It should be punushed and will be punished. God the father was not going to just let the sin go like letting me continue my message after just stabbing someone in the chest. That’s henous thinking! Obsurd! Our sin is like that to God so he devised a just way for our sins to be forgiven. He would punish the lamb of God and He gave this picture in the OT so that the jewish people would recognize it when they saw it.

Many did recognize the Lamb of God , but most did not!

To his first emphasis—Messiah is here—

3. 3rd day / 3rd Group is only 2 of the disciples. The emphasis here is to follow Jesus and not John.

To his first emphasis—Messiah is here—

2nd emphasis - John added an equally compelling exhortation:

See Him/ Recognize Him for who He is—the Son of God, the Messiah, the ultimate sacrificial Lamb for the sin of the world.

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). (p. 57). Chicago: Moody Press.

God had supernaturally revealed to John who Jesus was and he must do the same for us or we will miss Him.

Matthew 3:16 ESV

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;

Not just John but Peter as well.

Matthew 16:17 ESV

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

We cannot figure it out on our own. God must reveal Himself to us. This makes Grace Amazing. No wonder so many do not see. We must beg God to open their eyes that they might see the Lamb of God who can take away their sins.

Matt

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). (p. 55). Chicago: Moody Press.

3. 3rd day / 3rd Group is only 2 of the disciples. / The emphasis here is to follow Him /Jesus

john 1.35

John 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Third Day, Third Group, Third Emphasis

John’s third emphasis follows logically from his first two. Since the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lamb of God, is here, the only proper response is to follow Him.

Who are the 2 disciples?

1:40 One of the two … was Andrew. The name of the other disciple is not stated. Most likely, he was John the son of Zebedee (see Introduction: Author and Title).

Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2022). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

John 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Third Day, Third Group, Third Emphasis

A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, “I am not the Christ,” but, “I have been sent ahead of Him.” He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:27–30)

He did decrease and, while in prison wondering how that imprisonment fit with the anticipated glory of Messiah’s kingdom, was hit with doubts about Jesus being Messiah. The Lord graciously dispelled those doubts by reporting the record of His miracles (Matt. 11:2–5; Luke 7:19–22).

matt 11

Matthew 11:2–5 ESV

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

Even John the Baptist had his doubts but Jesus encouraged him through a brother relaying the things that were happening.

Do you have your doubts? I do!

But as I think back the longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows!

The longer I follow Him the more His word rings true.

The further I go the further up and in He takes me.

The longer i live I feel it in my soul. He is the Messiah. Jesus is Emanuel. He came to save a people for Himself

Application:

Do you see the Lamb of God who takes away your sin?

Will you trust HIm to take away your sins?

Will You follow Him even if it means Martyrdom? Like John the Bpatist?

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