The Authority of John the Baptist Established John 1:29-34 Presented Live on November 13, 2016 I. Introduction and review A. In chapter one of the Gospel of John: 1. Verses 6-8 and 15-18 contain the direct testimony of John the Baptist; 2. Following that, verses 19-28 contained the cross examination of John the Baptist by the Pharisees; and 3. Verses 29-34 contain the redirect testimony of John the Baptist B. In a trial, the first part of any testimony is the direct examination of a witness 1. The side that calles the witness to the stand, gets to question him first 2. Then the other side gets their chance in what is call cross examination 3. And then the witness is returned to the side that called him for redirect C. In redirect you want to rehabilitate the witness if he or she made a mistake 1. And then to answer any unanswered questions 2. And reestablish the key points of the witnesses testimony D. What were the key questions the Pharisees asked of John the Baptist? Page 1 of 12
II. 1. Are you the Messiah? 2. Are you Elijah? 3. Are you the Prophet? 4. Who then are you? ( the voice of one crying in the wilderness ) [Isa. 40:3] E. Now on redirect, there was one other question to which John believed his redirect efforts should center 1. Why are you then baptizing in water? (That is, what is your authority to do this) 2. In his cross examination by the Pharisees, the Baptist took them back, in his answer, to Jesus 3. But now the author wants to strengthen John s testimony by pointing out John the Baptist s authority to do what he is doing but at the same time directing the jury to Jesus Verse 29: Jesus is identified as the Lamb of God A. The next day 1. John takes to writing his gospel in a journal type format 2. Notice that the first day started in verse 19 3. And then subsequent days begin in verses 35 & 43 B. He saw Jesus walking 1. Where had he come from? Galilee 2. How do you know [Matt. 3:13] C. So the day following John s selfless denial of having any of the credentials which the Pharisees demanded, the purpose for which John the Baptist had been born arrived, he saw Jesus, and identified Him, not as the king of the Jews or as the prophet, or even initially as the Messiah, but as the Lamb of God D. And in the proclamation, John the Baptist makes a threefold statement of great moment 1. That Jesus is the Lamb of God 2. That He will take away sin 3. And that the sin He will take away is that of the whole world 4. The Lamb of God a. God s sacrifice for sin has always been tied to a lamb b. In Gen. 4, Abel sacrificed a lamb to God Page 2 of 12
c. Then there was the sacrifice of Gen. 22:8 which pictured Christ s substitutionary death, in which Abraham prophesied that God would provide the Lamb d. Then the sacrifice of the Passover lamb was instituted, whose blood was then painted on the door [Ex. 12] picturing the way Christ would die e. Pursuant to Ex. 29:38-42 a lamb was sacrificed everyday in the temple for the sins of the people f. And the Lamb was identified as the Messiah in Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. g. In John 1:29, the Lamb is identified as Jesus h. In Rev. 5 the Lamb is magnified by the host of heaven i. And finally in Rev. 22 the Lamb is glorified and seated on the eternal throne of God 5. Consider the historical progression: a. In Gen 4, the sacrifice was for one man Abel b. In Ex. 12, during the Passover, the sacrifice was for a family c. In Ex. 29, the daily sacrifice was for the entire nation of Israel d. Now that the true Lamb of God has arrived, the One that God has provided, His sacrifice is not limited or restrained, but is made for the whole world 6. In most of these examples, man was given instructions as to how to select the sacrifice and what criteria he should use; but now in the real sacrifice, God was the one who would select the final sacrifice E. The taking away of sin 1. The blood of those lambs that preceded the Lord Jesus Christ would atone for the sins of the people a. Atonement rp;k' kaphar {kaw-far'} (1) Meaning: 1) to cover, purge, make an Page 3 of 12
atonement, make reconciliation, cover over with pitch 1a) (Qal) to coat or cover with pitch 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to cover over, pacify, propitiate 1b2) to cover over, atone for sin, make atonement for 1b3) to cover over, atone for sin and persons by legal rites 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be covered over 1c2) to make atonement for 1d) (Hithpael) to be covered (2) Piel usually expresses an "intensive" or "intentional" action b. But the blood of the Lamb of God would take away the sin of the world, not just cover it over (1) Take away is a verb of compound action in English (2) Take away ai;rw airo {ah'-ee-ro} (3) Meaning: 1) to raise up, elevate, lift up 1a) to raise from the ground, take up: stones 1b) to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand 1c) to draw up: a fish 2) to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear 3) to bear away what has been raised, carry off 3a) to move from its place 3b) to take off or away what is attached to anything 3c) to remove 3d) to carry off, carry away with one 3e) to appropriate what is taken 3f) to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force 3g) to take and apply to any use 3h) to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence 3i) cause to cease F. The sin of the world 1. This sacrifice was not to be for some select group nor was it limited to Israel alone 2. The world ko,smoj kosmos {kos'-mos} Meaning: 1) an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government 2) ornament, decoration, adornment, i.e. the Page 4 of 12
III. arrangement of the stars, 'the heavenly hosts', as the ornament of the heavens. 1 Pet. 3:3 3) the world, the universe 4) the circle of the earth, the earth 5) the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race 6) the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ 7) world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly 7a) the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ 8) any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort 8a) the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews (Rom. 11:12 etc) 8a) of believers only, John 1:29; 3:16; 3:17; 6:33; 12:47 1 Cor. 4:9; 2 Cor. 5:19 3. The use of this word asserts quite strongly the concept of universal atonement as opposed to limited atonement 4. And to the first hearers, created a contrast from the prevailing Jewish thought of particularism, that is that salvation was for the Jew alone Verse 30: Jesus is identified as the Preexisting One A. Maybe better put as the Eternal One B. This was a concept repeated often by John and one he holds to be of great importance [see 1:1-2, 15, 27, and 30] C. This verse was written such that it opposes a heresy know as Arianism 1. Arianism was an influential heresy which denied the divinity of Christ, 2. It originated with the Alexandrian priest named Arius ( circa 250 336 A.D.). 3. Arianism maintained that the Son of God was created by the Father and was therefore neither coeternal with the Father, nor consubstantial. D. How did John the Baptist know these things he was saying? E. John was a prophet, in fact the last of the Old Testament prophets F. God would speak directly to him (see 1:33) Page 5 of 12
IV. Verse 31: Jesus is identified as the One manifested to Israel A. John s overall message was: repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand 1. His form of water baptism was the sign of one s acceptance of that message 2. This baptism was by full emersion 3. However, the baptism of John the Baptist is different from the baptism of the Church a. John s baptism acknowledged that death was the due of those baptized as a result of their sin b. Christian baptism does not confess that death is due the one being baptized but that he has already died to sin, is being buried with Christ and will rise in perfect righteousness B. John states that he did not recognize the Lord 1. Some translations (ESV, KJV, NIV & NKJV) use the word know 2. Consider the note on most NASB translations 3. The Greek word used here is oida a. eivdw/ eido {i-do'} or oi;da oida {oy'-da} b. Meaning: 1) to see 1a) to perceive with the eyes 1b) to perceive by any of the senses 1c) to perceive, notice, discern, discover 1d) to see 1d1) i.e. to turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything 1d2) to pay attention, observe 1d3) to see about something 1d31) i.e. to ascertain what must be done about it 1d4) to inspect, examine 1d5) to look at, behold 1e) to experience any state or condition 1f) to see i.e. have an interview with, to visit 2) to know 2a) to know of anything 2b) to know, i.e. get knowledge of, understand, perceive 2b1) of any fact 2b2) the force and meaning of something which has definite meaning 2b3) to know how, to be skilled in 2c) to have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to (1Th. 5:12) c. It is best translated here and in verses 1:26 and 1:33 as recognize Page 6 of 12
4. Since John and Jesus were related (cousins), they certainly knew each other a. Elizabeth would have told her son of Mary and the conception of her son 5. But from the text it appears that what John is saying is that he did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, until God revealed it to him by way of Christ s baptismal experience C. Manifest (English) readily perceived by the senses and especially by the sense of sight; easily understood or recognized by the mind D. Manifest (Greek) fanero,w phaneroo {fan-er-o'-o} 1. Meaning: 1) to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way 1a) make actual and visible, realised 1b) to make known by teaching 1c) to become manifest, be made known 1d) of a person 1d1) expose to view, make manifest, to show one's self, appear 1e) to become known, to be plainly recognised, thoroughly understood 1e1) who and what one is 2. Grammar: Aorist, Passive, Subjunctive a. The aorist tense is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time. There is no direct or clear English equivalent for this tense, though it is generally rendered as a simple past tense in most translations. The events described by the aorist tense are classified into a number of categories by grammarians. The most common of these include a view of the action as having begun from a certain point ("inceptive aorist"), or having ended at a certain point ("cumulative aorist"), or merely existing at a certain point ("punctiliar aorist"). The categorization of other cases can be found in Greek reference grammars. The English reader need not concern himself with most of these finer points concerning the aorist tense, since in most cases they Page 7 of 12
cannot be rendered accurately in English translation, being fine points of Greek exegesis only. The common practice of rendering an aorist by a simple English past tense should suffice in most cases. b. The subjunctive mood is the mood of possibility and potentiality. The action described may or may not occur, depending upon circumstances. Conditional sentences of the third class ("ean" + the subjunctive) are all of this type, as well as many commands following conditional purpose clauses, such as those beginning with "hina." E. How did that manifestation begin 1. John s confirmation of Jesus as the Christ is at the time of His baptism a. Luke 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." b. Matthew 3:14-17 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" 15 But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. 16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." 2. Who could see the dove and hear the word of the Father? 3. If Jesus submits to baptism, shouldn t we V. Verse 32: Jesus is identified as One on Whom the Holy Spirit descended A. This was the sign that God had given John Page 8 of 12
B. It was this sign that confirmed to John that this was the long awaited Messiah C. John needed to have this sign for two reasons 1. He needed a means to be convinced on his own 2. And he needed evidence to use to prove to others that this was the Messiah D. The final pronouncement of God is key he remained upon Him 1. me,nw meno {men'-o} Meaning: 1) to remain, abide 1a) in reference to place 1a1) to sojourn, tarry 1a2) not to depart 1a2a) to continue to be present 1a2b) to be held, kept, continually 1b) in reference to time 1b1) to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure 1b1a) of persons, to survive, live 1c) in reference to state or condition 1c1) to remain as one, not to become another or different 2) to wait for, await one 2. This word carries the idea of the Holy Spirit inhabiting Jesus as the glory of God inhabited the Tabernacle 3. The Holy Spirit did not just come and then leave, but stayed within the Son of God His entire life on earth VI. Verse 33: Jesus is identified as the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit A. God s provision for John: 1. The Messiah s coming is now eminent 2. I want you to prepare my people for His coming 3. That preparation will be manifested by water baptism 4. That baptism pictures the repentance from sin in preparation for the coming of the Messiah 5. You will recognize the One who is the Messiah because when you baptize Him, the Holy Spirit will descend upon Him like a dove and remain upon Him B. Baptize bapti,zw baptizo {bap-tid'-zo} Meaning: 1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk) 2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe 3) to overwhelm Page 9 of 12
C. A comparison of these two baptisms, John s water baptism and Jesus baptism in the Holy Spirit 1. John s baptism was one of picture and outward perception, and was to be prefatory 2. Jesus baptism was one of inward reality and change, and was one of finality 3. A chart comparison of the two baptisms: a. John baptized with water Jesus baptized with the Spirit of God b. John s baptism was external Jesus baptism was internal c. John s baptism was negative Jesus baptism was positive (repentance from sin) (new life through a rebirth) John s baptism was about Jesus baptism was cleansing of sin s stain about imparting new life, clean life by the washing of His blood D. No one had ever claimed to baptize one into the Holy Spirit before Jesus E. What does that mean? 1. Repeated in all four gospels [Matt. 3:11; Mk 1:8 & Lk 3:16] 2. Acts 1:4-5 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 3. I Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. VII. Verse 34: Jesus is identified as the Son of God A. I, myself have seen and testified Page 10 of 12
1. Antecedent of I, myself 2. This form is emphatic B. Psalm 2:7 "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. C. John s primary job or goal was to point people to Jesus D. And in doing so, John reveals to them who Jesus really was E. This is the first reference or identification of Jesus as the Son of God in John s gospel F. The word son, as used here, does not mean less than or not as high as the Father 1. Jesus shares both the oncology and essence of the Father 2. But They don share the same function or role VIII. Final thoughts A. John the Baptist in effect said that Jesus was the light and that he, john, was the lampstand 1. The purpose of the lampstand is to hold up the light so that everyone can see it 2. No matter how exquisite or beautiful the lampstand may be, it s useless without the light 3. This is a crucial distinction when serving God in ministry 4. We should never forget our role and our purpose 5. The message of God should never be obscured by the messenger B. John recognized that he was the lamp but not the light, the voice but not the Word C. John was useful to his Lord, but he was not indispensable D. John was effective, as long as he remained humble 2016 - Believer s Bible Class, & Douglas W. Brady Page 11 of 12
www.believersbibleclass.com www.believersbibleclass.podbean.com Listen again and again. Today is the LAST DAY to reserve your spot for the Annual Believer s Bible Class Christmas Party/Brunch Saturday, December 3, 2016 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Brookhaven Country Club 3333 Golfing Green Drive Farmers Branch, Texas Don t Miss It!!! Page 12 of 12