I. the Source of John S Baptism Matthew 21:23-32

John’s Baptism

(Matthew 3:1-10)

Introduction: In his series entitled The Greater Men And Women Of The Bible, James Hastings wrote, “Everything we are told of John the Baptist is unique.” In our study of John the Baptist we have considered his unique Beginning, his unique Behavior, and his unique Boldness. Tonight I want us to consider his unique Baptism. Let’s begin by discussing...

I. The Source Of John’s Baptism Matthew 21:23-32 A. Was It Of Human Origin? Whence was it? From heaven, or of men? B. Was It Of Heavenly Origin? heaven – [Greek 3772. ouranos] it has the idea of elevation; the sky; and by extension heaven (as the abode of God).

This question was not at all shuffling, to evade theirs; but, if they answered this question, it would answer theirs: should they say, against their consciences, that John’s baptism was of men, yet it would be easy to answer, John did no miracle (John 10:41), Christ did many; but should they say, as they could not but own, that John's baptism was from heaven (which was supposed in the questions sent him - John 1:21 – Art thou Elias, or that prophet?) then their demand was answered, for he bare testimony to Christ. (Matthew Henry)

II. The Sermon Of John’s Baptism Matthew 3:1-11 A. This Baptism Was Penitential Repent ye (It Involved Repentance – a change of thinking; a regret for sin)

Jewish Baptism. Baptisms, or ceremonial purifications, were common among the Jews. Not only priests and other persons but also clothing, utensils, and articles of furniture were thus ceremonially cleansed (Leviticus 8:6; Exodus 19:10-14; Mark 7:3-4; Hebrews 9:10). John’s Baptism. The baptism of John was not Christian, but Jewish. It was, however, especially a baptism “for repentance.” The only faith that it expressed concerning Christ was that His coming was close at hand. Those who confessed and repented of their sins and were baptized by John were thus obedient to his call to “make ready the way of the Lord” (Matthew 3:3). (The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary)

What God means when He says “Repent.” It is not remorse, sorrow, conviction, but a change of mind. You want a great change before Christ comes. (J. Vaughan from The Biblical Illustrator)

B. This Baptism Was Preparatory the kingdom of heaven is at hand... Prepare ye the way of the Lord

I read today a notation from several years ago about Baptist churches in Nashville, TN. It said, “Cleanliness may have been forgotten in the rush to godliness. The city health department ordered churches to clean up their baptistries because of the danger of bacterial infection. According to Dr. Joseph Bistowish, the department director, some churches empty their baptistries only once every month or two. That, says the good doctor, is not enough. So he ordered staff inspectors to wade in with bacteria-sampling equipment and to look particularly for green slime on the baptistry walls. Excessive bacteria could transmit skin disease and even Salmonella or typhoid, he warned. (Paul Lee Tan # 603)

When John the Baptist burst on the scene, the religious world and spiritual environment of Judaism was like those baptistries – it had become polluted and stagnate. In his message of repentance John proclaimed the need to “change the water” so to speak and to cleanse themselves ceremonially by this rite of baptism in preparation for the coming Messiah.

Cf. (Exodus 19:10-11) And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, {11} And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. The mission of John was similar to the mission of Moses here in Exodus 19. III. The Significance Of John’s Baptism Matthew 3:1-11 In order to understand what John’s baptism signified...

A. Let’s Consider The Movement Of John’s Baptism In Contrast To Christian Baptism 1. John’s Baptism Was An Expectation 2. Christian Baptism Was An Effect

B. Let’s Consider The Mark Of John’s Baptism In Contrast To Christian Baptism 1. John’s Baptism Was A Mark Of Repentance 2. Christian Baptism Was A Mark Of Relationship

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water as a sign of his previous entrance into the communion of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. In other words, baptism is a token of the regenerated soul’s union with Christ.

Obligation. Baptism is an ordinance instituted by Christ (Matt 28:19; Mark 16:16), practiced by the apostles (Acts 2:38), submitted to by members of NT churches (Rom 6:3-5; Col 2:11-12), and subsequently practiced as a rite in Christian churches. No church hierarchy has the right to modify or dispense with this command of Christ because only the local church (no other visible church of Christ) is known in the NT, and it is purely an executive, not a legislative body.

Significance. Symbolizing regeneration through union with Christ, baptism portrays not only Christ’s death and resurrection and their purpose in atoning for sin in delivering sinners from sin’s penalty and power, but also betokens the accomplishment of that purpose in the person baptized (Rom 6:3-5; Gal 3:27; Col 3:3). By that external rite the believer professes his death to sin and resurrection to spiritual life. He also gives witness to the method by which God’s purpose has been wrought for him, namely, by union with Christ. The rite sets forth the fact that the believer has received Christ and in faith given himself to Him (Rom 6:5; Col 2:12).

Proper Subjects of Baptism. Only those who give credible evidence of regeneration, and who thus by faith have entered into the communion of Christ’s death and resurrection, are considered proper candidates for the rite. Biblical authority for this view is given in the command of Christ that those are to be baptized who have previously been made disciples (Matt 28:19; Acts 2:41), or previously repented and believed (2:37-38; 8:12; 18:8). It is also proved from the nature of the church as a company of regenerated believers (John 3:5; Rom 6:13) and the symbolism of the ordinance itself (Acts 10:47; Rom 6:2-5; Gal 3:26-27). Since it is intended only for the regenerate, baptism can never be the means of regeneration. It is the appointed sign, but never the condition, of forgiveness of sins. (The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary)

IV. The Summit Of John’s Baptism Matthew 3:13-17

The baptism that Jesus received from John was unique in its significance and purpose. It could not be like that which John administered to others, for Jesus did not make confession; He had no occasion to repent. Neither was it Christian baptism. Jesus Himself declared the main purpose and meaning of this event in His words “It becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). It was an act of ceremonial righteousness appropriate to His public entrance upon His mission as the Christ, which included His threefold office of Prophet, Priest, and King, especially the second, for the essence of His redemptive work lies in His consecration as a Priest, the Great High Priest. In this office He offered not “the blood of goats and bulls,” but Himself to put away sin (Hebrews 9:13-26). It is this consecration to His redemptive priesthood that comes into clearest view in His baptism in the Jordan. By “fulfilling all righteousness” our Lord meant the righteousness of obedience to the Mosaic Law. The Levitical law required all priests to be consecrated when they began to be about thirty years of age (Numbers 4:3; Luke 3:23). The consecration was twofold – first the washing (baptism), then the anointing (Exodus 29:4-7; Leviticus 8:6-36). When John on the Jordan’s bank “washed” (baptized) Jesus, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit came upon Him. This was the priestly anointing of Him who was not only a Priest by divine appointment but an eternal Priest (Psalm 110:4) who was thus divinely consecrated for the work of redemption (Matthew 3:16; Acts 4:27; 10:38). (The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary)

Conclusion: Approximately 2,000 persons participated in a mass baptism, April 17, 1971, under the direction of ministers from Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California. The gigantic baptismal service was performed in the Pacific Ocean at Corona del Mar. —Christian Life (Paul Lee Tan # 606)

I don’t know how many John baptized, but when he baptized Jesus he fulfilled his great purpose of preparing the way of the Lord.