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Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
May 19, 2013
The Witness of John
John 1:19-34
Have you ever wondered why references are so important? If you apply for a job, you have to list references on your application. If you want to rent an apartment, you have to give references. If you apply for a loan, your credit history will be searched. If we lived in a perfect world our own statement about who we are and what we are like would be sufficient. But we do not live in a perfect world. By experience each of us knows that a person can claim anything they want, but that does not mean it is true. The person could be telling the truth, but then again, perhaps they lying or are self-deceived. References are needed to help verify that the person is honest and their claims are true.
The Apostle John wrote his account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ because he wanted us to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing we would have life in His name (John 20:31). The Scriptures themselves state that “on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed” (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16; etc.). John will confirm the claims of Jesus Christ by many witnesses throughout his gospel account. God the Father and God the Spirit had already been witnesses to Jesus identity at His baptism. (See: The Baptism of Jesus) Today we will look at the first detailed human witness concerning Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Turn to John 1:19-34.
Identifying John (John 1:19-28)
Our text begins, “And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you?'”
John’s Background
To understand what is occurring here you need to remember some of the historical background of the coming of John. Israel was in subjection to Rome and the people were chaffing to see the kingdom of Israel restored as the prophets of old had proclaimed, but it had been four centuries since the last prophet, Malachi (460-430 B.C.), was present. It appeared that God had seemingly lost interest in His people. Suddenly, John the Baptist bursts on the scene.
You might recall that John’s parents are Levites and the announcement of his conception comes to his father, Zacharias, through the angel Gabriel while he was performing his priestly service of burning incense in the temple (Luke 1:8-17). Zacharias doubted what Gabriel had said because he and his wife Elizabeth were old. As a sign to him, he was made mute until all the prophecy had come true. Elizabeth became pregnant in her old age and for nine months Zacharias’ inability to speak and Elizabeth’s enlarging womb indicated to all that something supernatural had happened. After the birth of the baby (Luke 1:57) and on the eighth day when he was to be circumcised, the relatives all wanted to name the baby Zacharias after his father, but Elizabeth said in verse 60, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.” Not accepting her word as final, they went to Zacharias and asked him what the child would be named. In verse 63 we find that Zacharias “asked for a tablet, and wrote as follows, ‘His name is John.’ And they were astonished.” They were to be even more astonished in verse 64 when Zacharias’ “mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. And fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. And all who heard them kept them in mind, saying, ‘What then will this child turn out to be?’ For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.'” (See: The Coming of the Herald).
In the Summer of A.D. 26, when John was at least 30 years old and the proper age for a priest to begin public ministry, he burst onto the scene again by calling the nation to repentance and giving strong warning to the people to prepare for the coming of the Lord. His manner of dress, what he ate and how he lived was like the prophets of old. He spoke with authority claiming it to be from God. He was baptizing Jews and not just Gentile proselytes for cleansing. (See: The Ministry of John the Baptist). Rumors were circulating that he might be the Messiah. No wonder the Jewish leaders were anxious to find out who John was supposed to be.
The priests and Levites had come down from Jerusalem to the Jordan to see John. The priests were those that performed the daily rituals of worship including the sacrifices, and the Levites were the rest of the tribe that served in various capacities in helping in the worship of God. They did not travel to see John out of curiosity for it would have been a strenuous hike with an elevation change of about 3,000 feet and a distance of 20 to 30 miles depending on where exactly John was at along the Jordan river. They made the journey because it was their responsibility to watch out for and protect the people from false prophets and teachers. They were concerned about John and had come to investigate his identity. They ask him a series of questions regarding who he might be within God’s prophetic plans.
Are You The Christ? (John 1:20)
The text indicates that John anticipated their major concern. Luke 3:15 states that “. . . all the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he might be the Christ.” Could John be the promised Messiah, the one who would deliverer them from Rome’s oppression and bring justice and righteousness? John answers the question very emphatically in John 1:20, “And he confessed, and did not deny, and he confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
The word “confessed” (oJmologew / homologeo ) in this context means to make an emphatic declaration. The repetition of it twice makes his statement even more forceful. John was not the Christ and he stated in such a way as to remove any kind of possibility or speculation that he could be.
Are You Elijah? (John 1:21).
If John was not the Messiah, then who? Verse 21 – And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”
Why ask John if he was Elijah? The answer is found in the writing of the prophet Malachi. The Jews expected Elijah to return prior to the coming of the Lord according to two prophecies. The first is in Malachi 3:1 which states, “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.” The second prophecy is found in Malachi 4:5,6, “Behold I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to their chi
ldren, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse.” Based on these prophecies, it was reasonable for them to ask John, “Are you Elijah?”
John gives a very direct answer, “I am not.” John makes it clear in no uncertain terms that he is not Elijah. However, that answer could leave us with some confusion if we are not careful. In Luke 1:67 John’s father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied concerning him saying, “and you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.” That prophecy reflected what the angel Gabriel had said to Zacharias earlier in Luke 1:13, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition had been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine or liquor; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother’s womb. And he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And it is he who will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Zacharias’ prophecy and the prophecy of the angel Gabriel make it clear that in some way John was the fulfillment of Malachi 3:1 & 4:6, but John himself said he was not Elijah. How then is John the fulfillment of those prophecies, yet not be Elijah? That question is answered by Jesus in Matthew 11:7-14, “. . . Jesus began to speak to the multitudes about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare your way before you. Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you care to accept it, he himself is Elijah, who was [is – present participle] to come.”
Just as the coming of Messiah as a suffering servant was somewhat hidden in the Old Testament, so is the nature of his forerunner. John was not literally Elijah, which is what the Jews were asking him, but he came fulfilling the prophecies concerning him in relation to being the herald of the Messiah. Even John the Baptist’s manner of life was patterned after the prophets and in specific, Elijah. In 2 Kings 1:8 King Ahaziah recognizes Elijah when this prophet is described to him as “a hairy man with a leather girdle bound about his loins.” John the Baptist dressed in the same type of clothing as that prophet (Zechariah 13:4) – a rough garment, with a leather belt just like Elijah. John came in fulfillment of the role of Elijah, but he was not the actual person of Elijah, so he had to answer, “I am not.”
Are You the Prophet? (John 1:21).
They then asked him, “Are you the Prophet?”
You will need to turn to Deuteronomy 18:15 in order to understand this question. In this passage Moses is speaking to the people about what will come in the future. “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me [MOSES] from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him. This is according to all that you asked of the LORD your God in Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, let me not see this great fire anymore, lest I die.’ And the LORD said to me, They have spoken well. I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.'”
The priests and Levites wanted to know if John was the fulfillment of this prophecy. The Lord had raised up many prophets through whom He had spoken to His people, but the prophet spoken of here was specifically to be like Moses. This was not John the Baptist. This is a prophecy concerning Jesus, for of all the prophets, only Jesus was a prophet like unto Moses.
John was direct and to the point. He answered, “No.”
I Am the Voice (John 1:22-23).
Now the priests and Levites were perplexed. John is not the Christ, he is not Elijah and he is not the prophet. Verse 22, They said then to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”
John gives them a direct answer in verse 23, he said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” John paraphrases Isaiah 40:3. This is in agreement with what he said earlier. John is not Elijah, but he is the forerunner of the Messiah who is preparing the way.
John’s answer here has a two fold purpose. It not only answers their question so they can give a report to those that sent them, but it is also an earnest invitation for them to repent. This is an invitation that John knew would be repeated to the religious leaders in Jerusalem. The analogy being used is of a king about to visit a city. The people would make sure the road to the city was in proper repair so that the king’s journey to the city would be without difficulty or obstruction. That was the point of John’s message to “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John was calling for the people to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Lord. This message was for the religious leaders as well as the common people.
John is also clear in his answer that he is not the Word, but only a voice. There could be no confusion between the reality, the Word, and the voice that was calling out to prepare for His coming. The voice only called out what the Word declared.
Why Do You Baptize? (John 1:24-28).
The investigating commission did not understand the significance of what John said and were now even more confused. Verse 24 tells us, “Now they had been sent from the Pharisees,” so we know these priests and Levites would be interested in the religious significance of what John was doing. If they had been from the Sadducees, who were indifferent to such things, there probably would not have been any further questions. For this reason they ask in verse 25, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” Baptism was based on purification rites and was used on Gentiles that turned to the God of Israel as a demonstration of their repentance. But John was baptizing Jews. If John was not the Messiah or the forerunner they expected, then what was he doing? It is clear from the question asked that they did not understand John’s answer to them about being the voice crying in the wilderness to “Make straight the way of the Lord.” They could not comprehend the spiritual nature of John being the forerunner of Messiah.
John’s answer in verse 26 once again makes a clear distinction between himself and the coming Messiah. John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, [but] among you stands One whom you do not know.” All John was doing was administering the sign of what was to come. The water of baptism was only a sign of repentance in preparation for the arrival of the Messiah and Kingdom of Heaven. The reality was yet to come. It would be Messiah that would give
the baptism that was important, the baptism by the Holy Spirit, that would cleanse their souls before God.
John minimizes himself and points to the one who was to come by stating that he was already among them. He was already alive and ready to begin His work. They just did not know who He was yet. There is a sense here that John is pointing out the question they need to be asking. Instead of being so concerned about John, they should be concerned about the one for whom John is preparing the way.
John’s description of Messiah as already being among them does not mean that John saw Jesus in the crowd, otherwise John would have pointed Jesus out as he would in the next two consecutive days (verses 29 and 36). The reference here is to the fact that Jesus’ public ministry was already inaugurated some 40 days earlier when John baptized him. Jesus then went into the Judean wilderness for forty days to be tempted by Satan. See: The Temptation of Jesus)
John is even more emphatic in verse 27 that he is unimportant. It is the one that is coming that is important. John says, [it is] He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie. This is a statement of great humility. The reference here is to a slave that took the shoes off a person and then washed their feet. John considers himself unworthy of doing even this menial task for the coming Messiah. This is a character quality that all Christians should exhibit. We should minimize ourselves and maximize our Lord.
Identifying Jesus (John 1:29-34)
The priests and Levites did not recognize the significance of what John declared about himself, and they did not know the identity of the Messiah, but if they were still present the next day and paid attention, they would find out. Jesus returned from the wilderness and John points Him out to everyone with a series of statements describing His identity and ministry.
The Lamb of God (John 1:29)
The next day he ^saw Jesus coming to him, and ^said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John’s response when He sees Jesus is to point Him out and declare Him to everyone. The word translated as “behold” here is an interjection. It is a statement to draw attention to something: Behold! Look! There He is! And who is it? The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! What a wonderful title for Jesus which explains both His origin and purpose.
When a lamb is tied in with idea of taking away sin, then it is clear that this is a sacrificial lamb. The idea of an animal being sacrificed as the payment for sin starts in Genesis 3 when God slays animals to make clothes to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve after they had sinned. One of the first things that he did after exiting the ark was sacrifice one of each of the extra clean animals that he had brought into the ark (Genesis 8:20). In Exodus 12, the sacrifice of a lamb was central in protecting those gathered from the death angel who would pass over the house with the lamb’s blood spread on the doorposts and lintel of the house. When the laws of sacrifices were codified in Leviticus 1-7, a lamb is specifically mentioned as an acceptable sacrifice for the Peace offering (3), the Sin offering (4), and the guilt offering (5).
The sacrificial system was based on raising or purchasing the appropriate animal which would be killed as the substitute payment for your own sin. From the beginning, God has declared that disobedience to Him was punishable by death (Genesis 2:17). Every human has been under that condemnation for all have sinned and the wages of sin is death (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Our sin nature is confirmed by our actions of sin. Coveting results in stealing. Lust results in fornication or adultery. Hatred results in anger, strife, violence and murder. An idolatrous heart results in worshiping things other than God and loving other things more than God. Selfishness and pride result in dishonoring of parents. To make it all worse, there is no means by which a human can remove sin from himself. All his efforts at righteous deeds are as filthy rags before our holy Creator (Isaiah 64:6), and animal sacrifices were never sufficient to cleanse us from sin for they were not equivalent, sufficient or voluntary (Hebrews 10:4). The millions of lambs that had died in the sacrificial system were only types of the necessary sacrifice to come. Only God could provide a perfect lamb that would be sufficient to solve man’s sin problem, and Jesus is that lamb. He is the Lamb provided by God who is equivalent, sufficient and voluntary.
The grammar here is more fully brought out by translating this as The Lamb of God who is taking away the sins of the world. Jesus’ work was in the process of being carried out as He lived a sinless life and fulfilled the Law. His voluntary death on the cross was the payment for sins past, present and future. All of the decrees of judgment against us for our sins would be nailed to the cross and paid by Him (Colossians 2:14). That payment is applied to each individual when they place their faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, so it is a work accomplished in the past and continually applied in the present. Jesus is the Lamb of God who is taking away the sins of the world.
Are you still trying to somehow pay for your own sins? Do you still think that if you are good enough God will accept you? If so, then you will remain in your sins. Your only hope is to turn to Jesus, the Lamb of God, and let His sacrifice be the payment for your sins. Jesus is the only means by which you can be made righteous before the Father (John 14:6).
The Preeminent One (John 1:30).
In verse 30 John again stresses Jesus’ preeminence. John was Jesus’ relative and was six months older (Luke 1:26) and he preceded Jesus in ministry. John’s fame was already wide-spread before Jesus began His public ministry. Jesus’ message of “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” was the same as John’s. All the normal indicators would say that Jesus was a follower of John and so John would be the more important of the two. However, John knew the truth and so he declares it, “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’
John was born at least six months before Jesus, but Jesus existed from eternity past. John began his ministry before Jesus because his purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. John was finite while Jesus was infinite. Jesus was preeminent, not John. As John had said the day prior, he did not consider himself worthy to even be the slave that would untie Jesus’ sandals (John 1:27). A good question to ask yourself is if your attitude is the same as John’s. Is Jesus the preeminent one in your life or do you still think yourself to be something important? Do your prayers reflect that of a servant coming to his master to make requests, or do they reflect pride and self-importance in making demands of Jesus?
The Spirit’s Revelation (John 1:31-33).
John continues in verses 31-33 to reveal how he knew the identity of Jesus as the Messiah. He did not figure this out on his own. “And I did not recognize Him, but in order that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 And John bore witness saying, “I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 “And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ The reference here is to Jesus’ baptism by John which had taken place about 40 days earlier.
Matthew 3:16, 17 records that event as follows: And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Sp
irit of God descending as a dove, [and] coming upon Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
John states that he did not recognize Christ even though he was sent to prepare the way. It was by God’s gracious and supernatural revelation to John that He recognized that Jesus was the Messiah.
There are many people that think they can figure things out for themselves. They believe they are smart enough to be the judges of truth and error, of right and wrong through a process of what they claim is rational thought. The effort of such people has resulted in the tragedy of theological liberalism which has rejected the authority of Word of God for the authority of the word of men. Their approach demands that the Scriptures be understood according to the reasoning of men instead of the declaration of God. They ignore the fact that the foolishness of God is wiser than men (1 Corinthians 1:25) and in proclaiming themselves to be wise, they have become fools (Romans 1:22). They reject what God has said because they do not understand it or it does not fit in their own theological system. 1 Corinthians 2:14 states, But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
If you want to recognize Jesus, then you need to start by asking God to open up your mind to recognize the truth. John has declared it. Will you believe it? You need to ask God to have the Holy Spirit do His work in you of convicting you of sin, righteousness and judgement, for until a person is convicted of their sins they will not repent, and if they do not repent, they will not cast themselves on the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and if they do not do that, then they remain self-righteousness and therefore under God’s judgement.
The One Who Baptizes in the Holy Spirit (John 1:33).
John gives a further description of Jesus at the end of verse 33 as the one that will baptize in the Holy Spirit. John had said at the beginning of his ministry that he only baptized with water for repentance which was a mere symbol of the cleansing desired, but the one who came after him would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). John now specifically identifies Jesus as the one that would do this. The baptism by the Holy Spirit is the reality of the cleansing desired. 1 Corinthians 12:13 is very direct in stating that every believer is baptized by the Holy Spirit into His body. Spirit baptism is not some sort of special anointing that occurs after salvation to select believers. It occurs to every person who places their faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ to be saved from their sins. It is the Spirit that regenerates the soul and brings to life what was dead so that salvation occurs (Titus 3:5-7). As Paul said in Romans 8:9, “But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”
The Son of God (John 1:34).
The climax of John’s testimony on this day is verse 34, “And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” The purpose of the ministry of John the Baptist was to prepare the way for the Messiah. He was to announce His coming and call people to repentance in preparation for it. John did not shirk his calling. He pointed people away from himself and to Jesus, the Son of God.
The apostle John presents all of this detail in this gospel account because his desire is that “you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). John the Baptist is the first witness presented and evidence to this truth. The Gospel accounts will present much more evidence as they unfold the story of the life of Jesus. Do you believe already, then rejoice in Him. Do you still have doubts? Then consider the testimony and keep your mind open to the evidence to come. Jesus is the Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He is the eternal one and so is preeminent. He is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit because He is the Son of God.
One final note about the witness of John the Baptist. He was faithful to proclaim the truth regardless of how people treated him. Some heeded his call and loved him for it. Some thought he was a fanatic nut. The religious leaders rejected him and opposed him. Eventually King Herod killed him for telling the truth.
Suffering for the truth and the sake of righteousness is something we should expect if we are Christians. Jesus told us it would be that way in Matthew 5:10- 12, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when [men] cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. 12 “Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
True Christians need to be willing to suffer because of the testimony of Jesus and walking in righteousness. Jesus is the Son of God, the creator God in human flesh. If he were not, we would suffer in vain, for Jesus’ statements about Himself and His promises would not be true, and we would be followers of either a lunatic or a liar. But He is the Son of God and His promises, both those of blessings for His followers and warnings to those who reject Him, are true. Are you willing to be like John the Baptist and suffer if need be in your witness of Jesus Christ?
KIDS CORNER
Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help.
Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Write down all the verses mentioned in the sermon and look them up later. 2) Count how many times John is mentioned. Talk with your parents about the purpose of John’s ministry and how that made him a humble man.
THINK ABOUT IT!
Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others.
What is the historical background of John the Baptist? Why did the priests and Levites come to question him? Who sent them? Why did they think John might be the Christ? Why did they think he might be Elijah? Why did Jesus say that John was Elijah (Mt. 11:14) if John said he was not? Who was “the Prophet” that they thought John might be? What did John mean by saying he is “the voice . . . ” from Isaiah 40:3? Why did John baptize? What is the significance of John baptizing with water? What was the purpose of John’s ministry? What is the significance of the title, Lamb of God? Could animal sacrifices take away man’s sin? Explain. How could Jesus take away the sins of the world? How was Jesus preeminent over John? Is He preeminent over you? How did John know that Jesus was the Messiah? Why can’t man reason his way to truth? What is your belief about Jesus? How do you know your belief is true? What is the significance of Jesus “baptizing with the Holy Spirit”? When/how is a person baptized with the Holy Spirit? What is the significance of the title, “Son of God”? How is a person saved from their sins? Are you? Are you willing to be as humble as John? Are you willing to suffer for the sake of righteousness and truth like John?
Sermon Notes – 5/19/2013
The Witness of John
– John 1:19-34
Introduction
References help verify the ______________ of a person’s claims
Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16 – ___________is established on the evidence of two or three witnesses
Identifying John (John 1:19-28)
John’s Background
Israel was under Roman oppression and there had not been a _____________ in 400 years
Zacharias received the prophecy of John’s birth and life from the angel _____________(Luke 1:8-17; 57-79)
John began his public ministry about A.D. 26 when he was about ___________________________
The priests and Levites came down from ________________to find out John’s identity
Are You The Christ (John 1:20 cf. Luke 3:15)
John’s answer is very emphatic that he was ____________the Christ
Are You Elijah (John 1:21)
The Jews believed that Malachi 3:1 & 4:5-6 prophesied that Elijah to ______prior to the coming of Messiah
John is _______Elijah, but he does come in fulfillment of Malachi 3:1 & 4:5-6 see Matthew 11:7-14
Just as the coming of the Messiah as the Suffering Servant was somewhat ________, so was His forerunner
Are You the Prophet (John 1:21)
Deuteronomy 18:15 – the prophecy of the prophet to come that would be like _______________
John is a prophet, but the prophet spoken of is _______________
I Am the Voice (John 1:22-23)
John is the fulfillment of _________________
John’s statement answers their question and gives them an invitation to _____________
John is not the Word, but only a _____________pointing to the Word
Why Do You Baptize? (John 1:24-28)
They were sent by the Pharisees and so were interested in the ________significance of what John was doing
Vs. 25 – They did not comprehend the spiritual nature of John being the ________________of the Messiah
Vs. 26 – They did not know the ___________who was among them for whom John was preparing the way
John ____________________Himself and points to the One who is to come
Vs. 27 – John is ____________and does not even consider himself worthy to be the Messiah’s house slave
Identifying Jesus (John 1:29-34)
The Lamb of God (John 1:29)
This is a reference to a _________________ lamb – Genesis 3; Genesis 8:20; Exodus 12; Leviticus 1-7
The sacrificial system was based on raising or purchasing an animal that would die as a ________________
Our sin nature is confirmed by our _______________ of sin
Man cannot earn _____________before God and animal sacrifices are not equivalent, sufficient or voluntary
Jesus is the Lamb provided by ____________who is equivalent, sufficient and voluntary
Jesus’ payment for sin is applied to each person who places their ________________in Him
Your only _________is to turn to Jesus, the Lamb of God, and let His sacrifice be the payment for your sins
The Preeminent One (John 1:30)
_____________was born 6 months earlier, began public ministry sooner and preached repentance first
_____________is eternal, infinite and the reason for John’s ministry and therefore preeminent
The Spirit’s Revelation (John 1:31-33)
John ______________ Jesus about 40 days earlier (Matthew 3:16-17)
John recognized Jesus’ identity because of the _______________ revelation
Those who try to understand the Bible by their own reasoning are _____- 1 Cor 1:25; Rom 1:22; 1 Cor 2:14
The One Who Baptizes in the Holy Spirit (John 1:33)
John only baptized with ______________ , Jesus is the one that would baptize with the Holy Spirit
______________ Christian believer is baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body – 1 Cor. 12:13
It is the Spirit that _________the soul and brings to life so that salvation can occur – Titus 3:5-7 (Rom. 8:9)
The Son of God (John 1:34)
John ________________ his calling in pointing people away from himself and to Jesus, the Son of God
John the Baptist is the first ______presented by the Apostle John in evidence of Jesus being the Son of God
John proclaimed the truth ______________ of how people treated him
Matthew 5:10-12, Christians should expect to ____________ for the sake of righteousness and truth
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