Jesus and John the Baptistthe Baptist" (John 3:22-36) PRAYER: This study is about the baptisms of Jesus and John the Baptist, and of "John the Baptists" testimony to Jesus. It includes a discussion of the different types of baptism, and ends with various comments being made by John concerning Jesus ministry,
VERSE 22 "After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing."
The root word for baptism is "baptisma "consisting of the process of immersion, submersion and emergence from"
Even though this verse says Jesus was baptizing other scriptures tell us that it was His disciples who actually did the baptizing.
ISAIH'S PROPHESY ABOUT JOHN THE BAPTIST: Isaiah 40:3 prophesied that he would be "A voice of one calling In the desert prepare the way for the LORD" And "Malachi 1" refers to "John the Baptist" as "the direct announcer of God."
John's calling was one that all the other prophets look forward to and no doubt would have loved to have been a part of. His calling was not to perform miracles, (such as Elijah and some of the others) and to say the least he didn't have a fancy lifestyle. Instead, his calling was to prepare the way for, and to introduce the Messiah. Everything he did pointed to Jesus. The people believed him, even in "John 11:41" (the people while discussing Jesus were saying "but John said"). The people recognize John from prophesies in the scriptures.
(So, in verses 22-24 Jesus and John were both baptizing VERSE 23-24John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24(for John had not yet been put in prison).
The Jewish people practiced ceremonial washing, and according to history, a few hundred years preceding Christ some, unofficially began practicing what has been referred to as "a once for all ceremonial washing," which was total "immersion" in water, or "baptism." John's baptism was for repentance of sin and as a sign of total commitment to their soon to be new life in the Messiah (Christ), and to show that everyone has to come to God on the same terms.
Jesus couldn't get ahead of himself, he hadn't yet been crucified and the spirit was not yet given, so this was a water baptism, not a Spiritual baptism. Most agree that the type of baptism Jesus did, was the same, and in fact a continuation of John the Baptist's baptism; for repentance of sins and a pledge of total allegiance to the Messiah.
In John 1 Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. John but was at first reluctant saying that he did not consider himself worthy to baptize Jesus; in addition his baptism was for the repentance of sin and Jesus had no sin. Many in the early 1st century believed the Spirit was no longer available in their time, or that it was not as forceful as in the days of the prophets. The Spirit coming upon Jesus is seen by many as the inauguration of the Messianic era, Jesus the Messiah.
Babies are sometimes baptized, not submersed but usually sprinkled, symbolizing a type of dedication of the baby to God. This is seen as a symbol of commitment on the part of the parents that they will rear their child to serve the Lord, but should not be considered a part of the plan of salvation, because it will not get the baby into Heaven.
The water baptism wherein the Christian is baptized in the name of the Father, son, and Holy Ghost: (we call the Christian Baptism)
Acts 2 records a Spiritual baptism with tongues of fire as occurred on the day of Pentecost. This is the baptismal in Luke 24:49 where Jesus directed his disciples to tarry for, (wait) until they were endowed with power. (before beginning their ministry) "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." that
AND IN: We aren't told the basis of the argument between John' disciples and "a certain Jew." However; the matter of purification is found throughout the Gospel of John. John 2:6-7, as where Jesus turned the water to wine contained in the "Purification Containers" and some see Jacobs Well in Chapter 4, and the healing waters of Bethesda in Chapter 5, the Siloam's water for the Feast of Tabernacles in Chapter 7 as all referencing the mater of ceremonial washing.
VERSE 26 "They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him." John's disciples seemed to be upset, possibly envious of the fact that Jesus' disciples were baptizing and that all the people were going to Him. (Which brings about John's reply)
VERSE 27 "To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven." Stating the fact that man can only receive what God has given him; then continues by reminding his disciples of what he had said in the past, "I am not the Christ."
VERSE 28"You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him." According to Jewish Law, one person who represents another acts on his sender's authority. The real authority is found in the sender. John says that 'he was sent, (we know he was sent by God). His duty was to prepare the way for the Messiah, (Jesus). . VERSE 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. The bride is the church, the bridegroom is Jesus. John says that He is not the bridegroom, only the friend of bridegroom. (In Jewish custom, the "friend of the bridegroom" was much like the best man in weddings today). NOTE: (The ones born again, who we call the church as being the bride, and Jesus the bridegroom.) The bible often refers to Jesus as the husband of the church. Jesus refers to himself as the bridegroom and, the Church as the bride, speaking of a relationship, a bond, union, established, and initiated by God)
VERSE 30 "He must become greater; I must become less." Going on to explain, John say's - He must increase, I must decrease. John clearly understood, he knew his "life purpose" didn't he? He knew that God's main purpose for his life was to introduce Jesus.
VERSE 31 ""The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. Here John refers to Jesus as "The One" In John chapter 1 refers to Jesus as "The Word". This terminology is the closest term available in the Jewish language to describe Jesus. John was saying the difference between Jesus and himself was that He was from above (heaven) He is the Son of God (both my parents were of natural birth) but He is above all.
VERSE 33-34 "The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit." According to history, many in the Old Testament days thought that only a few had merited, or earned the Spirit. So to say that someone had the "Spirit without limit" is to indicate that He is greater than any other person who ever lived. And, in verse 34, John testifies that Jesus is deity and has the "Spirit" without measure.
VERSE 35 "The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. By placing 'everything in Jesus' hands,' God places Jesus higher than any other human seen in scripture. He was man and He was God. Jesus came with a purpose, and fulfill it!
In verse 36 John sums it up, this is his testimony: VERSE 36 "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Jesus and John the Baptist |