Epiphany 1 (4)
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4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Baptism has been called the dividing line between Christians. This is especially true between those who believe that baptism is a sacrament (Roman Catholics and Lutherans) and those who regard it as a ceremonial act that is an expression of the obedience of faith. (Basically all other Christian denominations).
Those who believe it is a sacrament see baptism as something very important that God does for us as Lutherans describes in this way.
“ In Holy Baptism, the Lord promises you the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. In theological language, this is “baptismal regeneration”. Although the Bible clearly teaches it, many (Reformed) Christians still deny it. Peter had a perfect opportunity to answer the “What shall we do?” question by inviting everyone forward for an “altar call”. Instead he invited them to Baptism.” — Lutheranism 101
Those who believe that baptism is an expression of the obedience of faith emphasize that it is something that a Christian does to show their allegiance to Christ.
Baptist summary: An individual, congregation, or church body that usually teaches adult immersion Baptism as a mark of one’s dedication to Christ and new life of faith. Baptism is usually called an ordinance instead of a sacrament. In addition, Baptism in a Baptist context is usually seen as the work of the Christian rather than God’s work.. Baptismal regeneration is usually denied. — Lutheranism 101
In the case of baptism, this ordinance has been so buried beneath the accumulated debris of man-made theories, human traditions and ecclesiastical decrees, that it is now accepted, in certain quarters as a substitute for the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the person baptized! Thus what was originally intended by our Lord to be the confession of a believer’s faith in the Son of God, and a symbolical setting forth of his spiritual identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, is now declared to be the means by which this identification has been effected! Thus it is asserted that a baby, at its christening, has, by this act, become “A member of Christ, a child of God and in inheritor of the kingdom! Could anything be further from the truth in regard to the scriptural significance of this ordinance? Christian Baptism by A.P. Gibbs.
Alfred P. Gibbs (1890-1967) was a man born to preach. At an early age Gibbs came to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. He studied at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and thereafter carried on an itinerant Bible teaching and writing ministry, chiefly in the United States and Canada. Gibbs published his first book, The Marvelous City of Mansoul in 1926. In all he wrote fourteen books and booklets, including Christian Baptism, The Lord s Supper, Scriptural Principles of Gathering, and Worship, all published by ECS Ministries. All his books have intensity like the man who wrote them. He was full of his subject. He also composed poetry and wrote Christian hymns. Gibbs never married, considering himself a eunuch for the kingdom of God. He was a model of the advice he gave, a spiritual man, a practical man, and fun to be with besides. For Gibbs, to hold forth the Word of life was a lifetime passion.
This sharp disagreement on the doctrine of baptism has been around since the 1500’s (the time of the Reformation) and I don’t see it being resolved any time soon.
But today’s sermon is not about our baptism. It is about the baptism of Jesus which is quite different than the baptism we have received. As we explore the baptism of Jesus, we see that in his baptism God reveals to us that Jesus is his Son whom he loves and that in Jesus’ baptism he officially begins his public ministry . . . soon.
We have entered into the season of the church year known as Epiphany. This old word (traditional Christianity likes old words) means to reveal or make known. During this rather short time before Lent begins on February 14th, our focus is on how Jesus is made known to us as the Christ. Last week we reviewed how the star made known the Lord was here. Today God makes known to us that Jesus is the promised Messiah through the baptism of Jesus.
During Advent we had a sermon on the first part of our text emphasizing how John the Baptism prepared the hearts of the people for Jesus through his preaching and his baptism of repentance. John will now use baptism as the means by which Jesus would be known as the Messiah. Mark succinctly tells us what happened. The Gospel of John gives more detail about what is going on behind the scenes. Before we explore this, we do well to compare the baptism of repentance that John administered with the type of baptism Jesus received.
Baptism of repentance. Outward expression of confessing sins and looking to God for forgiveness. (see definition). The one baptized identified with the promise of the Messiah to come. In a way it is similar to the modern day interpretation of the Baptists in which they define baptism as an outward way of identifying with Jesus . . . but not much more than that.
Jesus’ baptism. Comparable to being anointed into office.
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.
Acts 10:34–40 (NIV84)
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.
Mark doesn’t even tell us why Jesus was baptized but in his short, concise style he writes: Mark 1:9 (NIV84) At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
We are given more details in ? . . . to fulfill all righteousness.
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
Bible History Commentary: New Testament 9. The Baptism of Jesus
We must forget about the idea of Jesus fulfilling some legal requirement by permitting himself to be baptized. Here we are in the field of the gospel. Jesus was beginning his earthly mission of being the divine substitute for sinners. John could not have a part in the redeeming work itself, the work of “fulfilling all righteousness,” that is, of carrying out fully the Father’s redeeming will for the slaves of sin. But John could and did have a part in ushering in Jesus’ work as the Christ. Both together, John by baptizing one who was sinless and divine, and Jesus by submitting to a baptism he did not need, took the divinely proper way of telling sinful men: Here Jesus steps to your side, takes up your cause, and sees it through to the bitter and victorious end!
The Gospel of John tells us that this is God’s way of identifying Jesus as his Son for John the Baptist’s benefit and therefore also for us.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”
So we have John’s explanation that what he had seen and heard (unique at Jesus’ baptism) was affirmation that Jesus was the Messiah. John was not alone in his witness. The Gospel writers tells us what had happened on that day so we know it was a well-known event in the life of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit manifested himself in the form of dove and flew down and landed on Jesus.
A voice (God’s) came from heaven and pronounced his affirmation of Jesus, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
This event should reassure us of who our Lord is and that Jesus is the one we are to follow.
This isn’t always the case in the human leadership. The book of Judges is concluded in this way:
Judges 21:25 (NIV84)
25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.
Even after Israel had a king, there was disagreement over who the proper king was at times as our study of David has reminded us.
What about today? Even in a democracy such as ours, there was sharp disagreement three years ago as to who actually won the presidential election. Some of us will recall that one of the times President Reagan was shot, Alexander Haig announced, “I’m in charge!” He wasn’t.
In religious circles, there is still sharp dispute about who the ultimate religious leader is.
Allah and his prophet Mohammed?
Buddha?
Joseph Smith?
Martin Luther?
The Pope?
Popular theologians and book writers?
At his baptism, God confirms that Jesus us the one he has sent to save us and to reveal him to us. God was well-pleased with him even before he carried out his saving work.
Three years later, God would speak of Jesus again at his transfiguration. In that proclamation God commands us to “Listen to him.” For he is the One revealed to us as our Messiah at his baptism.