Baptism

 N.T. #689  "Baptism"

Dec. 8, 2025

John 1-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

Have you been baptized as a believer in Jesus? Is it important? John was baptizing people and he was questioned about it. How did he answer?

The Pharisees asked John the Baptist why he was baptizing, if he was not Christ, Elijah, nor a prophet? (verse 25) John's answer was showing a difference between what he is doing with water and what the Messiah will do with the real thing, the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8) 

Come to think about it, they had never seen a baptism before John did it. 

Baptize means to make fully wet. 

It is not sprinkling, but baptism is completely covered with water, full immersion. Baptism is symbolic of a heart cleansed of sin. Those guys had not know such a thing. Pharisees only cared about rules, regulations, rituals, and rights. Jews, like Gentiles, needed to repent, confess, their sins. In effect, the Jews were outside of Abraham's covenant with God because of their sin. 

For us, Jesus is the one through whom we come to God. Believe His is God's Son, the Savior who takes away our sin. Jesus paid the price so we did not have to. He was the perfect Lamb of God for us, who died in our place.

Have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior? Do you have family members who need Jesus?

LET IT GROW

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (verse 29)

John saw Jesus and identified Him, not as the King of Israel, the Prophet, or even the Messiah, but first as "the Lamb of God." This was a reference to the Passover lamb (Ex. 12:1-13) and Isaiah's messianic imagery in Is. 53:7. (Swindoll)

What the Old Testament lamb could not do, Jesus is doing-forgiving and taking away sins. His grace and mercy is not limited to Jews, but to the entire world. (Falwell)

Back then, God required a stainless and perfect lamb as a sacrifice for the Jews' sins. The blood sacrifice only hid sin, but Jesus' blood washes it away, removing it from the heart. Jesus is the bridge for us to God. However, when Jews (and Gentiles) are not willing to accept this gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, their sin barrier is not removed. 

LET IT GO

May we confess our sins to You, Sweet Jesus.

We are sinners in need of a Savior, Your love and mercy, forgiveness.