Untitled Sermon

Mark 1:4 KJV 1900

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Why be baptized?

Because Jesus was baptized and He is my example in everything

Notice that when they came to John they heard preaching about Jesus Mark 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Mark 1:7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Not only do we see the example of Jesus and follow it but look at the way baptism is taught the first time it is mentioned

They heard preaching

They were, then adults, could understand, and could respond to preaching about Jesus

John made it clear that he was talking about the Lord

He was getting a people ready for the Lord Jesus

In John’s baptism they came confessing their sins and living a new life Mark 1:5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. Matthew 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

This was not some ritual but real repentance

Repentance that meant they saw their sin and turned from it

Repentance that meant someone old enough to make a decision seeing their condition and confessing their need of the Savior

Jesus’ baptism pleases the Father Mark 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Notice He is coming up out of the water

The Father and the Holy Spirit make it clear that Jesus is no mere man

God publicly announces that Jesus is His Son and He is pleased with Him

Being baptized is Jesus first public act as an adult in all the gospels

If Jesus started out with baptism what does that mean for you

If the Father announced His pleasure with His Son at His baptism what does that mean for you

At His baptism we clearly see God the trinity Mark 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Jesus was baptized as an adult because it was the right thing to do Matthew 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Jesus didn't get baptized to wash away sin

He got baptized to please the Father and do right

It was a testimony that He wanted to do what the Father wanted done

Baptism is shown as the first step of a Bible believer

They were obeying God Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

When God sent the gospel to the world He told them to baptize those that they had taught

He told them after that to get them together and to continue teaching them to obey Him

Being baptized was extremely close to the act of believing Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

They were baptized that same day Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

The Samaritans heard the preaching, they believed, and were baptized Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

The Eunuch believed and was baptized Acts 8: 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 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.

He read the Scriptures

He had the Scriptures explained to him

He believed and was baptized

Lydia attended the things spoken Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

The jailer believed and was baptized immediately

Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

They heard, they believed, and they were baptized

Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Baptism was a clear mark of leaving the old life and following Jesus in His church Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

On the day of Pentecost they were saved and baptized and it was a clear start to a new life and relationship

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

It is how the persecutor marked his turn from persecution to preacher of the gospel Acts 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Baptized into the body of Christ I Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

We are baptized into Christ Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Why be baptized?

Jesus was baptized

His baptism pleased the Father

It is our way of giving a public testimony of our faith

We are showing externally what has happened internally

Jesus commanded His church to baptize His disciples

We have clearly seen the example

We are identifying with Jesus when we get baptized

Historical Background

Chapter one began with introductions to Jesus the “Son of God” followed by quotes and allusions to the OT that set up Jesus as the Messianic end-times figure portrayed by the Scriptures.  The sky is “rent” at His baptism and God’s voice identifies Him as His Son.  Jesus begins healing and commanding devils to depart.  Very quickly, Mark is building up Jesus’ resume of power and authority.

Chapter two continues with the “who is Jesus” theme showing us not only can he heal serious diseases but He also has the authority to forgive sins. He spends much time with outcast people in their homes, not to identify with them to heal the ones who readily admit their need.  He calls men to be with him in a part of a future strategy.  And He expresses through Scriptures His exalted status over the law such as the sabbath day.

2. Theology

(A Note about Theological observations in the Gospels) When we discuss theology in the Gospel, the majority of our observations will be focused on Christology.  The difference between answering questions #2 and #3 will be observations of Christ vs fulfillment in Christ.  Question #3 will always point to the message of the Gospel and how Jesus fulfills the necessary actions of our salvation.

Christ has the authority and power to forgive sins. When Mark records Jesus healing the man sick of the palsy, this instance wasn’t the first healing of this sort, so why give us another account?  We look for differences in each account and when we look we find that Jesus, instead of healing the man directly, says to the man, “Thy sins be forgiven thee.”

This statement begins a controversy in the heart of “certain scribes” charing Jesus for blasphemy. But Jesus uses this miracle to display his sin forgiving authority.  Which is easier to say?  To command the lame to walk or to forgive sins?    If Jesus was just a charlatan, it would be easier for him to forgive sins, because there is no immediate outward sign to serve as evidence.  But if Jesus were to command the lame to walk, particularly someone with palsy, the power would evident and thus harder to say.

However, theologically, sin would hard to actually forgive because “none can forgive sins but God alone.” In this the scribes are correct, and so Jesus performed the miracle to show his sin-forgiving authority.  Immediately because of what Jesus said and did, a line is drawn in the sand where the reader will decide either Jesus is lying or He really can forgive sins. We can also see implications about Jesus’ divinity in this instance.  Only God can forgive sins.

Because of who Christ is, His ministry and authority supersede the  “Old Testament”. There are several elements in the passage that lead us to this conclusion.  The first is the statements by crowds beholding the miracles Jesus performs, “We never saw it on this fashion.”  We wouldn’t conclude that Christ supersedes with just this alone but we are also given Jesus’ lengthy answer to the Pharisees question, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?” Jesus responds particularly with three metaphors signifying the newness of Jesus’ work and the importance of His character.

When the bridegroom is present, everyone’s attention is focused on him.  Because Jesus is the “bridegroom” in this scenario, life doesn’t resume as normal.  While he is present with the people, everyone will give up ‘normal’ activities to be with the Master.Jesus’ ministry is new altogether, He isn’t supplementing something the OT lacks. The last two metaphors are similar in message. Jesus isn’t “patching up” the tears and weaknesses of the OT, He is bringing something new to the table.  His doctrine, power, and authority called for a new system altogether, and it simply won’t do to make Him fit inside the pre-existing bottle, this is something superseding the old.

Along with this same thing, Jesus is challenged with another question of why they pluck and eat on the sabbath.  Jesus’ answer was an observation from scripture that David’s authority gave him special privileges a commoner may not enjoy.  The implication is that Jesus’ authority is greater than David’s, as not only is He the son of God, but He is also the “Son of man”.  With the combination of “Son of man” title and Jesus’ assertion of being the “Lord of the sabbath”, it is hard to miss that this is a direct claim to His divinity.

3. Fulfillment in Christ

In Christ alone is our salvation from sins.  Because He alone forgives sins, not a priest, church, or other entity.  “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” is a rhetorical statement that remains true when Jesus is seen forgiving sins.  The one who does the forgiving is also the one who bears the full price and damage of the offense, and so He did on the cross for all our sins.

Nothing in the Old Testament made men perfect before God, but in Christ, all is made perfect.  For those under the yoke of the Old Covenant, the laws of Moses could do nothing to save a person.  For once a person is guilty of the law, they must bear the curse of the law.  Therefore, we needed a Savior whose power and authority is greater than the covenant.  In Jesus, we have such a One.  Once a person places their trust in Christ, they are initiated in the New Covenant.  For those under the law, Christ fulfills their debts on their behalf, paid in full, declared to be righteous before God.

But also in Christ is a new work of eternal life and redemption from sin’s the Old Testament never provides.  In Christ is the promises of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, one’s name recorded in the book of life, and declaration of justification on your behalf in the day of judgment; all because Jesus imputes to us His righteousness through the transaction of the gospel, His death, burial, and resurrection.  Believed by faith, all to come to Christ are made perfect before God, it is the offer of the ages and our eternal hope before God.

4. Application

I will understand that I cannot be brought under law or set of rules while I am in Christ.  While I am in Christ, I am already made perfect with God, therefore I do not need to add religion to the equation to make myself anymore accepted than I already am.  My simple responsibility before God is to be found in Christ through faith and faithfulness to Him.  I obey His word not to earn or avail myself to His blessing, but out of an understanding that obedience to Him is bound up in my identity when I surrendered my life to Him at the cross in faith.