The Baptism of Jesus pt.3

D. Christian baptism, as well as the Lord's Supper,
is a symbolic act and must therefore be invested with the correct biblical meaning.

Both of these ordinances are to be gospel preachments and can only thus be understood where the gospel is believed.

Where there is no gospel preaching, there can be no gospel ordinances.

As the moon reflects the light of the sun, so baptism and the Lord's Supper reflect the light of the gospel.

This brings us to ask the question,

"Did John the Baptist preach the gospel?"

Only if he preached the gospel could his baptism be considered as Christian.

To answer this question, we ask the reader to reflect on the following Scriptures:

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light,
that all men through him might believe. (John 1:6-7)

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:
and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life;
but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
As it is written in the prophets,

Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,
which shall prepare thy way before thee.

The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

John did baptize in the wilderness,
and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
(Mark 1:1-4)

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest:
for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people
by the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God;

whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:76-79)

Another angle from which to approach the symbolism of John's baptism is to ask, "How did Jesus understand his own baptism?"

In answer to this question, we point out that during his earthly ministry, our Lord twice spoke of "baptism" in a metaphorical sense.

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons,
worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

And he said unto her, What wilt thou?

She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit,
the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask.

Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of,
and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

They say unto him, We are able.

And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup,
and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with:

but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give,
but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
(Matthew 20:20-23)

But I have a baptism to be baptized with;
and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! (Luke 12:50)

Notice that in both cases the "baptism" pointed to Christ's future saving work.

Yes, Jesus did understand the importance of his baptism.

In fact, in his baptism he manifested his willingness to die at Calvary.

So deeply did his baptism impress him, its meaning hung over him like a dark cloud during his entire earthly ministry, as Luke 12:50 indicates.

Jesus, ere he gave his blood,
Was immersed in Jordan's flood,
There, and in that way, to show
What he had to undergo.