John the Baptizer

Introduction We have now moved through the Inter-Testamental time into the time when Gods is again heard by His people. This time, however, His voice is made extremely personal in the Incarnationthe birth of Jesus the Son of God. But before we focus on Jesus earthly life and ministry, we focus on His forerunner, John. John is a fascinating figure for many reasons. We will only have room to highlight a few key themes in Johns life and ministry, but we would encourage you to dig deeply into this story, because his story really sets the stage for Jesus earthly life. Meeting John The first thing to understand is who John is. He is officially a second cousin to Jesus, about 6 months older than Jesus. His mother Elizabeth and Mary the mother of Jesus were cousins. His father was Zechariah, a priest.1 It is also important to understand that this John was not the writer of the Gospel of John or the other books of John in the Bible. That John was the disciple of Jesus, the brother of James. John the Baptizer was a different John. Why John the Baptizer? Isnt he John the Baptist? Yes. He is known primarily as John the Baptist. That title can lead to some confusion, though, especially with there being a church denomination called Baptist. In Johns case, the title simply meant one who baptized. It is therefore perhaps less confusing to call him John the Baptizer, since that makes his work more clear. But the more popular title certainly is John the Baptist. The One Preparing the Way for Jesus John is a bridge between the Old and New Testament. He is first prophet of God since Malachi some 400 years before. He fulfilled the prophecy of Malachi that there would be one who would come before the Messiah came.2 He was the one who would get people ready for the coming of Jesus. Though we do not know exactly how, we was well aware that this was his role: not to be the Messiah, but to point people to the Messiah.3
1 Zechariahs story is also fascinating, especially as it pertains to the announcement of Johns birth and his naming. It is very reminiscent of Abraham and Sarah. You can read it in Luke 1:5-25 and 39-80. 2 Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6. The prophecy speaks of Elijah coming, and though John does not take that title for himself (John 1:21), Jesus Himself attributes this second coming of Elijah to John (Matthew 11:7-15, 17:9-13). 3 John 1:19-37 and 3:25-36.

In fact, this is the primary thing to understand about John: he knew what his calling was. In a sense it was the same calling as all Christians: to point people to Jesus. However, Johns calling was also very unique, in that he played a specific role as the one to come immediately before Jesus began His own public ministry. John was acutely aware of his role, and was very specific in his understanding, especially as people asked him about his role and work. He emphasized his inferiority to Jesus multiple times, and spoke one simple statement that could easily be the life verse for any Christian: He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30). Johns Ministry John had a unique and specific ministry. He showed up on the scene after living in the wilder- ness until his public ministry began (Luke 1:80). This has led some to believe that John became a member of the Essenesthe Qumran community living outside of Jerusalem. Some even go so far as to call him the Essense Teacher of Righteousness This is far from universally accepted, and Scripture is silent on that detail. Johns ministry was to baptize people and to proclaim that the Messiah was at hand. This baptism is an interesting study. Evidently even his opponents were familiar with the concept, though it appears rather suddenly in the Scriptural story, without much explanation. It was a baptism of repentance with water only, and again pointed to Jesus who would complete Johns baptism by including the Holy Spirit.4 Johns ministry also involved preaching. He spoke to all who would come to listen, warning them to repent because the Kingdom of heaven was near. He spoke candidly and forcefully against the religious leaders of the day5, as well as Herod the puppet king of Israel. Predictably, this did not sit well with them, and ultimately led to Johns death.6 The Baptism of Jesus and the Covenant The most significant of Johns baptisms was that of his cousin Jesus. The event is recorded in all four Gospel books7, and marks the beginning of Jesus public ministry. Jesus comes to be baptized by John, and we get a remarkable picture of the Trinity: God the Father speaking audibly, God the Son being baptized, and God the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus visibly, like a dove Again, this development of baptism is not explained in Scripture. For the Jews, the custom was that circumcision was the sign of the entrance into the family of believers. It was the sign of the covenant given to

Abraham. But now baptism was to become the new entrance rite, the new sign of the new covenant.8 However, Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day, according to Jewish law, because His work was to perfectly fulfill the law on our behalf. As well, Johns baptism was one of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus was sinless. Even John recognized that this was rather backwards; John should properly be baptized by Jesus, but Jesus fulfilled all the righteousness needed and underwent Johns baptism as well (Matthew 3:13-15). John the Witness Ultimately, though, John was simply a witness to the coming Messiah. As we have said, his role is little different from all other Christians: to point people to Jesus. And Jesus Himself also acknowledges this: ...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.9 So for us today, in a sense we continue the ministry of John. We are just pointing in the other direction. He pointed to the One who would come; we point to the One who has come and will come again. As you reflect on this story and its implications this week, here are some reflections: Consider Johns general appearance and demeanor. Is this what you think of when you think of a pastor or prophet? In what ways can we be like John and point to Jesus in our daily lives? What are some practical implications of the statement, He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease? What does that mean for us today? _____________________

Stories of the Saints

4 Read through Luke 3 and John 1-3 to understand more about this baptism of John. Then connect it with Acts 19:1-6 to see this sense of completion. Some groups teach that there are still two baptisms today: one with water and one with the Holy Spirit, where the evidence of this second baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. This, however, is refuted by Scripture in places like Ephesians 4:5, which clearly teaches there is one baptism. (This teaching also is based on a misunderstanding of the spiritual gift of tongues, which we cannot deal with here.) 5 Matthew 3:1-12, John 1:19-27. 6 Matthew 14:2-11, Luke 3:19-20. 7 Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:4-11, Luke 3:21-23, John 1:29-34. Admittedly, the book of John doesnt record the actual event like the other three, but in it, John the Baptizer is speaking of what happened during the event. 8 Colossians 2:11-17. The question of circumcision was a big one in the early church. The biggest question was whether nonJews needed to get physically circumcised to become Jews and then become Christians. The great church council in Acts 15 put the matter to rest and said no. Paul often refers to circumcision to show that the old covenant no longer applies. 9 Matthew 11:10-11, Luke 7:27-28.

John the Baptizer

(To accompany the Sermon on May 13, 2012)

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