John 1:6-8, 19-28 A man sent from God, whose name was John...
The Testimony of John (19-28):
1. THE CONFESSION OF JOHN ABOUT JOHN 19-28
a. He makes No False Claims
I am not the Christ, God incarnate; I am not Elijah re-incarnate (Malachi
4:5); I am not Moses re-incarnate (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). We do not believe in
reincarnation, which was the Devil's lie (Genesis 3:4) but in resurrection;
and the Resurrection is not yet. Both Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus on
the Mount of Transfiguration and testified to Him. Jesus said John was
"Elijah" (Matthew 11:14): but not literally.
b. He makes Two Fair Claims.
i) I am the Crier Crying in the Wilderness. 23
I am the Forerunner fulfilling Isaiah 40:3. Oyez! Oyez! Flee from the wrath
to come! Prepare in this wilderness of sin the Way of the LORD!
ii) I am the Baptiser Baptising in the Water. 26
Messiah is coming! Be baptised in water for repentance and forgiveness of
your sins. God save the King!
2. THE PROFESSION OF JOHN ABOUT JESUS 29-34
a. He is the Lamb of God Dying in the Wilderness. 29, 36
Water will not wash away sin: God says "when I see the blood I will pass over
you" (Exodus 12:13); "It is the blood that makes atonement" (Leviticus 17:11).
Abraham prophesied to Isaac "The LORD will provide Himself a Lamb for the
burnt offering" (Genesis 22:8). Jesus testified "Abraham saw my day and was
glad" (John 8:56). /Ecce Agnus Dei qui tollit peccata mundi/, Behold the Lamb
of God who takes away the sins of the world.
b. He is the Son of God Baptising in the Wind. 33
Baptism in water represents cleansing in the blood of Jesus. That makes you
holy, but does not keep you holy. You need to be baptised in the Holy Spirit,
the Wind which blows where it wills (John 3:8); you can't see it, but you can
see its results. The baptism of Jesus is the Holy Spirit baptism of
Pentecostal power: tongues of fire and tongues of praise; gifts of power and
gifts of grace. John knew because he saw the Dove descend and perch upon
Jesus. We know because the same Dove has settled upon us! /Ecce Columba Dei/,
Behold the Dove of God, who sanctifies the People of God.
____________________________________________________________________________
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick BA CF, and Mrs Joanna (Goodwin) Crick
<ben.crick@argonet.co.uk>
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
