What Does the Bible Say About John the Baptizer #2?

Arnie and Glenn continue to discuss what the Bible says about John the Baptizer in this second episode. We begin by noting that John always performed his mission faithfully. We look at John the apostles record of the occasion the priests and Levites questioned John the Baptizer and note his answers using Old Testament prophecies concerning him. John had tremendous influence with the inhabitants in Jerusalem, Judea, the Jordan Valley and all Israel. We discuss the scriptures that relate that to us. We note that the record tells us that even the most notorious sinners responded to John's preaching. In the rest of this episode, we look at John's baptism. The religious authorities questioned Jesus' authority for what He said and did. Jesus discussed John's baptism in answering their questions. We note that discussion because it ultimately reveals the authority for John's baptism to us. We closeout this episode by looking at the purpose for John's baptism but run out of time before we could finish. We will pick up here in the next episode. Take about 30-minutes to listen in on our discussion. Have your Bible handy so you can verify what we are saying. There is a transcript of this Buzzsprout episode provided for your convenience.

Transcript

Fred Gosnell: 0:00

This is a presentation of the Woodland church of Christ meeting at 3370 Broad Street in Sumter, South Carolina. We meet for worship on Sunday at ten thirty am and five pm. We meet for bible study at nine thirty am on Sunday and seven pm on Wednesday. If you have questions or comments on this lesson, you may email them to Fred Gosnell at fgosnell@ftc-i.net or to Arnie Granke at agranke440718@ twc.com.

Arnie: 0:32

Good afternoon. This is Arnie Granke and Fred Gosnell and Glenn Landrum from the church of Christ in Woodland in Sumter, South Carolina. And this is what does the Bible say? I think Glenn is going to be partnering with with me in in this little session, and and Fred's going to be our engineer and handling all the details of recording. If you happen to be in the Sumter, South Carolina area, we certainly would love to have you visit with us. We're about two miles to the east of the main entrance, to Shaw Air Force Base, and easy to find. We're right up on Highway 76 378, and, and we would welcome you for Bible classes or for worship with us on the Lord's Day and and Bible class on on Wednesday evening. Uh, Glenn, you and you and I have been talking about John the Baptizer in in our last our last session, and looking at some of the things that the Bible teaches about His ministry and the message that he that he conveyed. Where do we pick up next?

Glenn: 2:06

Well, the topic that we were talking about last week, that was under his ministry and message was His mission, and we just about completed that topic. And so we picked up. We'll pick up tonight or this afternoon., on John always performed his mission faithfully. And there's a few scriptures we're going to look at. John 1, 15 then we'll pick up with John 1, 29 or 19 through 29. But there's also a scripture in between verse 21 that that applies to the next point. And I'll probably go ahead and read that as well. So picking up at the John 1, 15 John bear witness of him and cried saying, This was he of whom I spake. He that cometh after me is preferred before me, for he was before me. in verse 21, And they asked him, What then art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Now picking up at verse 29 or 19, And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask, Who art thou? And he confessed and denied not, but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet, and he answered No. Then said they unto Him, Who art thou that we may give an answer to them that sent us? What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord, as he has said the Prophet Isaiah, and they which asked him, and they said unto him, Why baptizth thou? If Thou be not the Christ or nor Elias, neither that Prophet? John, answered them, saying, I baptize with water. But there standeth one among you whom you know not. He it is Who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoes latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara, beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him and saith, Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

Arnie: 4:43

It's pretty, pretty obvious that John is is performing the the mission faithfully, that that the Lord had had given him. No doubt there were those that were suspicious that perhaps he was the the Christ. He clarified that, didn't he, that, that he, he is not the Prophet, that's what they were really asking about. And he made it clear that he's not the one, and that it was possible for them to identify who, the, who the the real prophet of God was, I'm, I'm looking at here in Deuteronomy, chapter, chapter 18, because Moses, God had given some information to Moses as well, in in that regard, concerning concerning the Messiah, concerning the Prophet. And he said, beginning in in Deuteronomy, 18, verse 18, I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren. Of course, that's very obviously Christ. Christ fits that fits that picture exactly like unto thee, and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them that I shall command him, And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto my words, which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. So not only is Christ and the Prophet being given exactly what he is to talk about and say, but there's also a necessity for those who hear him to listen to what he says and comply with it.

Glenn: 6:49

Now, I made a note on this, this passage, particularly in the last part of that passage that that was just read. In verse 19, it says, And shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken to my words, which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. Now this, this passage was almost directly repeated in the in Acts three, verses, 22 and 23 and it says, For Moses truly unto the fathers, the Prophet, shall the Lord your God, raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me, him, shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you, And it shall come to pass that every soul which will not hear that prophet, pay attention to this last phrase says, Shall be destroyed from among the people. Now, up until that last phrase, everything was the same we read in in the previous passage, it said, I will require it of him. Well, requiring it of him was the same as saying that I that person would be destroyed if they didn't if they didn't comply. So why the difference? Well, I think possibly it's because of who Luke was. Luke wrote acts, and Luke was, was a very well educated man. He was a physician, and I think he's given more detail to that passage than what we read in the first.

Arnie: 8:27

Yeah. As a matter of fact, he did and and very often you can reword something very similarly, but with just using different words that mean exactly the same thing. So either one of those might be a possibility here in in the case of of of Luke and and what he had to had to say. So Mark Chapter Chapter One is a is a passage that I think is, is applicable here. In Mark, chapter one and and verse verse five, There went out into him all the land of Judah and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him. And of course, this is John the Baptist, uh, Baptized of him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. So the things that had been said with regard to the work that he was going to be doing are being fulfilled in in that passage as as well there. And then also Matthew, chapter three and and verse five, then went out to him, Jerusalem, all Judea, all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. So once again, two different writers, but they're making the same point, just with little bit difference in their in their word. And of course, here's, here's John working. He's, he's working near Jerusalem, throughout Judea, all over the Jordan Valley. We're talking 60 or 80 miles up and down the Jordan Valley, there and and much of that was were places where John was working and was baptizing.

Glenn: 10:40

Absolutely. Looking at at the map of considering Jerusalem, Jordan and Judea, it does include a great area Jordan extended almost all the way over to the Red Sea at one point. The of course, area around Jerusalem and then Judah. Judah extended down to to the to almost to Egypt. So there's a great area that that John worked in and took the word and baptized people. So Acts 13, 34 says, When John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel, I think what this is including all the people of Israel, that's including all that area that we just

Arnie: 11:32

And and of course, there were many that rejected him. All mentioned. the people, very clearly, they all had the opportunity to to benefit from the things that that John was teaching and and take advantage of of the baptism that he was providing. But many just refused to do so. They were, they were hung up on, on things that they'd been misled about. With regard to many of many of the Jewish officials and and teachers, and that was kind of kind of a shame that that that that turned out that way. In in Matthew chapter, chapter 21 you know, even the most the the most notorious of sinners, responded to to John's, John's baptism. And you know, usually we think of certain classes of people being being more likely to be involved in sin. That's not necessarily true. But for example, soldiers, we might think that, well, you know, not all soldiers are evil people, but there was an opportunity, there were things that very often, that they did, that probably some of them were unreasonable about. There were, were publicans. The publicans were reputed to overcharge on on taxes. They were the tax collectors. But there were some that were, that were, were honest and didn't pocket any of the of the money. But typically, you would think of them as as being the ones that would would be sinners. And and, of course, obviously harlots. Were there a lot of harlots in in Israel? Well, I don't know but, but I would suspect probably it wasn't something that was just just a a large number of people, but there were some and and even they recognized their need to have their sins taken away and and responded to the teaching that that John was doing. So in in Matthew chapter, chapter 21 and and beginning in in verse 31,Jesus said unto them, Verily, I say unto you that the publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. And here he's talking to the chief priests and the elders of Israel. And then verse 32 he says, For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and you believed him not, but the publicans and harlots believed him, and you, when you had seen it, repented not afterward, that you might believe him. What a, what a shame that they passed up that opportunity. And no doubt it cost them in in eternity.

Glenn: 14:51

Well, you're talking about the ones that were sinning and and responding to to John. Well, we know from. Romans, 3, 23, that everyone has sinned, and everyone has sinned and come short of the glory of God. So it's not a particular class of people who sin. Everyone sins, and everyone has that need to to be forgiven. Well, Luke 3, 10, through 14. John is is giving some advice, basically, to to people. Some of those are those that Arnie just mentioned a moment ago. It says, And the people ask Him, saying, What shall we do then? He answered and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart him that hath none, and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also the publicans to be baptized, and he said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact, no more that which is appointed to you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he saith unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely and be content with your wages. What he was giving was moral advice to to these people in response to their questions about what they needed to do, and he gave it specific to their situation. And these would have been situations that that would apply to them in their particular jobs or their particular positions in life. To the publicans, he mentioned, don't take take any more than that you should. Soldiers who would be associated with violence sometime, he told them not to be violent when they didn't need to be and to be content with their wages. All of us that are sitting here today have been service members, and we, we all know that service members always are complaining about their wages.

Arnie: 16:57

And sometimes they do have a have a struggle, don't they, trying to make ends meet there, especially if they've got family that are located where they're they're stationed. But that's another, another subject. Let's Glen. Let's talk about a little bit about John's bapti, baptism. Of course, John was called the Baptist in in English a lot of time. Called the baptizer because he immersed believers in in water. Baptist was the part of his name. It wasn't his religious affiliation in in any way. It didn't note one authorized to baptize. Very often I hear people define the word as as meaning that he was just a baptizer. So where does the word baptism come in? Well, baptism is from a Greek word, baptizo, and it's been Anglican, aglicized, can't say it, but, but anyway, you know what I mean. Into into English. And baptism, actually, or rather baptized actually meant to immerse. Sometimes religions sprinkle, that's not immersion, therefore it's not baptism. We we need to be very careful about people being misled in in that regard. So immersion, it was actually a Dyer's word where, where a woman, perhaps had had a garment that she'd been creating had been had that she had made, and she wanted to have some color in it. So she would take it to the to the Dyer, and the Dyer would take that fabric and and immerse it into the dye for as long as it would take to get the color and the shade that she was requesting. And then he would bring it out and and let it dry, and it would be ready for for her to to wear. So the word baptize actually means to immerse, just as a dyer would in in dying a piece of fabric or an item of of clothing. So it's important for us, I think, to understand that word. It doesn't have to do with most of the things that people think of today. And if you want to do what baptism calls for, then you you'll need to be, need to be immersed. And and I'm just going to read a passage here in. Uh, Luke, chapter 20, because there's authority for for this, this baptism uh, beginning in in Luke 20, verse two, It came to pass that on one of those days as Jesus taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, the chief priests and scribes came upon him with the elders and spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? Or who is he that gave thee. Excuse me. Who is he that gave thee this authority? And he answered and said unto them, I will ask also, also ask you one thing and answer me, The baptism of John. Was it from heaven or of man? So they go off into a huddle, and they begin to talk about it there. How are we going to answer this, they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say from heaven, he'll say, Why then believe you not him. But if we say, of men, all the people will stone us, for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. So what are we going to do? Well, verse seven tells what their decision was, They answered that they could not tell whence it was, and Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. They weren't going to be honest with him. It didn't matter what he said to them. They just weren't going to going to do it. And, you know, it's a shame that people take that approach very often still today, with regard to matters that that involve their future after this life is over, not a good idea. Let's not get involved in that kind of a problem.

Glenn: 22:00

You know, before we I read the next passage, I think it's worth noting that in this passage that Arnie just read, the language of the passage requires us to make an implication, because it it doesn't specifically say On whose authority it was given. John does imply that the authority is from heaven or God. The ones who who were asking the question, must piece things together to completely understand, although it was clear what John was saying, he he received his authority from God so but by implication, we understand that that it was from God that He got the authority to do that. Now John 3, 25, through 28 says, Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and Jews about purifying. And they came unto John and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan to whom thou bearest witness behold the same baptiseth and all men come to Him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing except it be given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear witness that I said I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before me, before him. I am him. I was sent before him. So John, once again, verified that he wasn't Christ, but he was, he was coming before Christ to prepare the way.

Arnie: 23:37

Very, very clearly. Excuse me again. Very, very clearly, refusing to be baptized, refusing to accept John's baptism. And then, of course, when, when Jesus baptized, he expect, except failing to accept that as well. Really, since, since God is the one that authorized that is, it amounts to rejection of of God's will. And and Luke addresses that, mentions that in Luke chapter seven, as Jesus is is speaking. He's talking about John the Baptist, beginning in verse 26 he said, But what went you out for to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he by whom it is, of whom it is written, Behold I send my messenger before thy face, which will prepare the way before thee. For I say unto you, among those that are born of women, there's not a greater Prophet than John the Immerser. But he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. All the people that heard him, all the and the publicans justified God being baptized with the baptism of John. Down in verse 30, But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves being not baptized of him. And that's exactly what we were speaking about a minute ago there. And the Lord said, whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? And to what are they like? They're like unto children sitting in the marketplace, calling to one another and saying, We've piped unto you and you've not danced. We've mourned to you, and you've not wept. For John the Immerser came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, he hath the devil. The Son of Man has come eating and drinking. And you say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a wine Bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners, wisdom is justified of all her children. There was a strong movement against Christ and against John the Baptist and and the things that they were teaching. Tragic that so many people just elected not to be a part of it.

Glenn: 26:32

No, there's a few points I think that's worth, worth making from this passage that that Arnie just read. One is that John was much more than a prophet. He was paving the way for Christ. The second was just because he was preparing the way didn't make him any better than anyone else. And the third point that that anyone who obeys God and follows Christ will be saved. So it wasn't just the it wasn't the elite of society, the Pharisees, the lawyers who rejected. does that sound familiar?

Arnie: 27:11

Yeah.

Glenn: 27:12

I think it does. So we have the same situation today, and that

Arnie: 27:13

Yeah, it does. existed at that time. So kind of lost my place here. Mark one four through eight reads, John did baptize in the wilderness and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judea and they of Jerusalem, and were baptized of him in the river Jordan confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair and girded with a skin about his loins. And he did eat locust and wild honey and preach saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me the latchet of whose shoes I am, one not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water, but He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit. So John is is telling who he is and what he's doing in this passage, Ah! Okay, I thought you were going to going to continue that thought there. Well, another passage Glenn that goes along with that is, is Acts Chapter Chapter One, speaking about the the the water, the in verse five, John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence. And, and that's with, with reference to Jesus, Jesus apostle this, this is not what John was doing. And what Jesus was doing was not baptizing with the Holy Spirit. They were baptizing with water. We need to, I think, be clear about that. And so it wasn't just any element. And let me take you to Acts, chapter eight and verse 35 because we've only got a half a minute here left. Philip is is mentioned there. Philip opened his mouth, began at the same scripture, and preached unto him, Jesus. This was the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts chapter eight. And as they came on their way, they came to into a certain water. And the eunuch said, See, here's water. What does hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still. They went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch and. And he baptized him. Listen to that again. They went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way, rejoicing. So very clearly there, baptism has to do with with immersion and and it's appropriate that we, that we understand that. Well, Glenn, we're out of time. Yeah. And so, Lord willing, we, we'd like to speak with you again next Lord's Day. We hope that you tune us in and in the meantime, we wish you a good week.