*A NEW PREACHER WITH A NEW MESSAGE*
To receive the new system, they had to abandon the old. Now, everyone must repent and confess his sins as he waded into the muddy Jordan River to be baptized.
*REMISSION OF SINS*
To preach that remission of sins was no longer in the blood sacrifices was unthinkable to the Jewish Scribes and Pharisees. John was boldly proclaiming that the way to be rid of sins was through the waters of baptism!
By submitting to John's baptism, they declared that Judaism's rituals were superceded by this fulfillment of prophecy. They recognized that the whole root was deficient and God must wield His axe against the cause of sin in them.
"Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire" -Luke 3:8-9.
John's ministry was to weaken the religious tradition and to prepare people for a fresh message from God. John always directed people beyond himself to his Successor.
By design, John's ministry was brief and temporary. It was merely a period of transition or a dispensational link between the Dispensation of Law and the Dispensation of the Gospel, or Church age.
"The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it" - Luke 16:16.
Sacrificial offerings under the Law provided a covering for sin. But this blood of bulls, goats, and lambs had to be offered repeatedly. Each neew offense required another sacrifice. But Jesus was the perfect Lamb who would offer Himself once and for all. He was the Sacrifice to end all sacrifices.
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" - Hebrews 9:12.
John had emphasized faith in the coming Messiah and in the Holy Spirit baptism. After Jesus`ministry began to increase, most of John's followers transferred to Christ. But a few failed to make the transition.
Those who failed to recognize God's change of leadership no longer had a message. The residue remaining with John's misguided followers was the outward form of John's water baptism -Acts 19:2-4. But all the meaning had vanished!
-JOHN'S MINISTRY LINKED THE LAW WITH THE GOSPEL-
DISPENSATION OF LAW-------DISPENSATION OF THE GOSPEL
*WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?*
What was new about John's baptism? Dipping in water had already been commanded in the Law as a religious rite for priests -Exodus 30:20; 40:12. All Israelites had to be dipped in water for various ceremonial uncleanness.
Water baptism was also practiced frequently among the Essense, the people who preserved the Dead Sea Scrolls for us. They were very strict and separatist in their religion. Essene baptisms were practiced before John the Baptist preached his baptism of repentance.
The Jews also baptized when proselytes were admitted into their religion. A "proselyte" was a Gentile who chose to obey the Jewish Law and was allowed complete fellowship with the people of Israel by a three-fold ritual:
>Circumcision for male proselytes.
>Baptism. While the Law was read, the candidate stood neck deep in water. Then he ducked himself as a symbolic cleansing from Gentile uncleanness.
>Offering of an animal sacrifice.
Because of the circumcision requirement, more women became proselytes than men. Many men called "God-fearers" did not experience this painful ritual and therefore were notJews by Abraham guidelines.
John's baptism was neither proselyte baptism nor Christian baptism. Proselyte baptism was administered only to converts to the Jewish faith. But John baptized the Jews themselves!
For a Jew to submit to John's baptism was an acknowledgement that his physical birtrh as a descendant of Abraham was an insufficient preparation.
Sins were remitted, or sent away, from those John baptized. They were justified by faith. Should they have died between the time of baptism by John and the death of Jesus, their salvation would be measured like that for Old Testament saints.
Each convert eagerly anticipated the fulfillment of the Gospel of Jesus because that fulfillment would make possible their access into His Kingdom.
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*PREPARING THE WAY*
Since those who followed Jesus had to be rebaptized into His Name, what was the purpose for John's baptism?
First John prepared the way of the Lord. Submitting to his baptism had revealed the message of the Kingdom and releasednthem from religious tradition and the fear of Jewish elders.
John had awakened their personal needs. Now they couldwelcome a Savior and King who would instruct them how to live.
He also acquainted them with the meaning of water baptism. Something happened in the water which they could feel! God had met with them! Therefore, it was quite easy to obey PPeter's message on the Day of Pentecost when he told them to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
Last, John's converts became aware of the Holy Spirit. He had often compared his water baptism with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Someday God would immerse them in His Spirit and they eagerly anticipated it.
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*FILL IN THE OUTLINE WITH THE CORRECT CAPTIONS BELOW*
1. John Preaches a New Message
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2. How Was John's Message Different From Proselyte Baptism?
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B.
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3. Benefits of John's Baptism
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B.
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1. It prepared the way of the Lord
2. Proselytes had to be circumcised, baptized, an offer an animal sacrifice
3. It made Jews aware of personal needs
4. It opened eyes to the message of the Kingdom
5. The Lamb of God is coming to end all sacrifices
6. Converts became aware of the gift of the Holy Spirit
7. After 400 years of silence, God spoke to Israel
8. John baptized the Jews themselves
9. Proselytes were Gentiles who chose to keep the Jewish Law
10. Though sins were remitted,conveerts anticipated the coming of Christ
11. It acquainted Jews with the meaning of water baptism
12. Prepare for the Messiah's Kingdom
13. Being Abraham's descendant wasn't good enough
14. It prepared them for Peter's message on the Day of Pentecost
15. Repent of your sins and be baptized
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*LEAVING US AN EXAMPLE...*
When it was time to begin His public ministry, Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River. John's ministry was about six months old and his hearers craved to see the Christ. No longer could Jesus hide Himself in Nazareth when men were earnestly seeking for Him.
Jesus chose baptism at this particular time because He had reached the legal age of thirty years to enter His ministry. Both John and Jesus began preaching at the time a priest could legally begin officiating.
Though John did not recognize his Cousin at first, he felt the power of Jesus` presence. An unearthly holiness must have emanated from the calm, gracious eyes of the Savior, causing John to immediately reverence Him. John's heart told him this was a sinless, sacred Person who was seeking baptism. Surely this was the long-expected One.
But Jesus was waiting to be baptized! How could John baptize One who had no sin? The baptism of repentance was accompanied by confession of sin. But Jesus needed no repentance. How could He confess if He had no sin?
John suddenly felt his own unworthiness in the presence of the Savior. Since Jesus had greater authority from God, the roles of ministry should have been reversed. John needed the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but Jesus had no need for the baptism of repentance. But in God's plan, John had to obey. Reluctantly, he cooperated.
"But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be bpaptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it is becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him" -Matthew 3:14-15.
In Jesus` answer, we find both the reason why Jesus desired baptism and the true significance of Christian baptism. As explained to John, He was baptized to "fulfill (or complete) all righteousness."
1. He Was Our Perfect Example.
Deliberately and consciously, Jesus established a pattern which he intended all His
believing disciples to follow. God had commanded John to baptize with water --- and as the Son of Man, Jesus was duty-bound to fulfill all God's ordinances.We dare not neglect external things esteemed unimportant by some. God's commands must be performed by the righteous. Because Jesus asked to be baptized of John, no believer may dare neglect the same water baptism.
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps; Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." -1Peter 2:21-22.
1. Is baptism important for children.
based on the fact that Jesus was baptized at age thirty? Yes, it is! John's baptismal ministry began when Jesus was almost thirty. Now that the Church has been established and the complete plan mobilized, it is necessary for all believers --- regardless of age --- to be baptized in water for the remission of sins. At what age a person is capable of becoming a believer varies according to the individual.
2. He Was Part Of The Human Race.
Because Jeus was a member of the guilty human race, baptism was necessary. He felt ashamed of our sins and grieved as if they were His own. How could He claim to be separate from other men --- those whom He loved so intensely? Jesus came as the representative of a people guilty of sin and morally unclean. Later He would bear mankind's sins in His own Body to pardon that guilt.Since Christ was "made in the likeness of sinful flesh," He, too, was considered a transgressor. Baptism was never intended for deity --- only for mankind. Because Christ identified Himself with brethren by baptism, we know He was Man (as well as God).
3. He Became Our Faithful High Priest.
God first clenses any vessel where He intends to dwell. Each Old Testament priest was eashed and anointed prior to serving. Our Lord represented the High Priest over the House of God and subsequently must fulfill all the requirements of the Old Covenant before becoming the High Priest of the New Covenant.Washing and anointing were fulfilled in Christ by His baptism and anointing with the Holy Spirit. We too, must was and be anointed.
4. He Was The Spotless Lamb Of God.
Lambs used for sacrifice had to be perfect --- without 
blemish or defect. They were kept inside one's house and carefully inspected before being presented to the priest. Were the sacrifice rejected, the sinner remained in his sins. Before Jesus could be eccepted as the spotless Son of God, He was identified by John as the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. He also had to be washed, prepared, scrutinized, and accepted for sacrifice by the Father. Exactly that transpired in order for the final Sacrifice, the Lamb who would take away all sin. At Jesus` baptism, the heavens opened, the Holy Ghost descended, and a Voicde declared: ". . . This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" -Matthew 3:17.
5. He Submitted To The Initiating Ordinance Of The Christian Dispensation.
As required of all male children under the Law, Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day. Circumcision was the initiating ordinance of the Old Testament given to Abraham. Ready to assume public leadership, Christ introduced the initiating ordinance of the New Covenant --- an inner circumcision of the heart through water baptism. In this way, Christ became the bridge from the Old Covenant to the New. He fulfilled all righteousness under the Old Covenant, then gave His own body and blood to institute the New Covenant. "I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles" -Isaiah 42:6.
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*WHO? WHAT? WHICH? WHEN? WHERE? HOW? WHY?*
1. WHY? did Jesus wait until the age of thirty to be baptized?_________________________
2. HOW? did John know Jesus was the long-expected One?__________________________
3. WHY? was John reluctant to baptize Jesus?___________________________________
4. WHAT? did John feel should be done?_______________________________________
5. WHAT? was Jesus doing for us by submitting to water baptism?___________________________________________________________________
6. WHEN? is a child ready for water baptism?______________________
7. WHO? was water baptism intended for?_____________________________________
8. WHY? was Jesus considered a transgressor and in need of water baptism?___________________________________________________________
9. WHICH? Office did Jesus assume in His ministry?______________________________
10. WHAT? were the requirements for fulfilling this position? _______________________
11. WHAT? was Jesus required to do before being accepted as the spotless Lamb of God?_________________________________________________________
12. WHICH? ordinance did Jesus submit to at the age of eight days? ___________________
13. WHAT? is the initiating ordinance of the New Covenant?________________________
14. WHAT? did Jesus give to institute the New Covenant?__________________________
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