The Baptism of Jesus, pt.4

E. Christian baptism requires a proper candidate. John baptized only those who repented and believed the gospel, according to Matthew 3:5-6; John 1:6-7.

Historically, Baptists have seen repentance and faith as prerequisites for Christian baptism, clearly concurring with John of old.

The objection may arise in the minds of some that Jesus could not repent, for he had no sin. While Christ's sinlessness is wonderfully true, it does not prove that his baptism was not Christian. Rather, it reveals that in his baptism, he was identifying with his people and showing his willingness to die in their behalf.

F. Baptism as a positive law belongs in a specific time frame. Positive laws are not permanent as are moral laws. Scriptural baptism belongs exclusively to the New Testament economy.

Some may object that John's baptism could not be Christian, because it occurred before Calvary and thus the Old Covenant was still in force. Here we find theological water in which to swim! We shall not attempt to explain how everything fits together. Indeed, theology is full of tensions. We shall simply step around the difficulty and write about things that are clear in Scripture. (Sometimes it is best to enjoy the fish, and let someone else choke on the bones!

I think of a Baptist preacher who, when asked how to reconcile predestination and man's responsibility, answered that he never tried, for by the time he had reconciled his checkbook, it was always bedtime!) Staying with the plain teaching of Scripture, we would ask our troubled friends, "Was not the Lord's Supper instituted before Calvary?"

If one ordinance may exist before our Lord's passion, might not both? In fact, baptism is a prerequisite for participation in the Lord's Supper. Truly, the Lord's Supper is a church ordinance, and its observance reveals that Jesus and the apostles were in church order at the time. (Compare Matthew 26:30 with Hebrews 2:12.) Were not the tabernacle of Moses and the temple of Solomon built before either structure was cleansed by sacrifice or filled with God's presence? Even so Christ instituted his church before Calvary or Pentecost.

Yes, our Lord dismantled the Old Covenant by his death. Yet, as the systematic theologian knows, it is difficult to pinpoint every transition and fit all biblical revelation into neat categories. For instance, whereas the New Covenant began at the cross, the last days or days of Messiah began with Christ's advent (Hebrews 1:1-2; Genesis 49:1, 8-10). Furthermore, the gospel, in terms of the whole "Christ-event", began with John the Baptist.

The previous sentence may excite shock and jealousy for the centrality of Christ in the gospel. Let the reader take up this issue with Mark or with our Lord himself.

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)

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. (Matthew 11:13) Of these verses, Athanasius said, "Up to John, the law; from him, the gospel." Certainly the gospel is about Jesus Christ and his saving work. But Christ is a king, and kings must be announced. They are always preceded by a forerunner who prepares the way. The "prophets and the law" pointed to John. As a forerunner, he was the first blip on the prophetic radar scanning for the presence of the Messiah. This is why Isaiah 40:3-5 is so often repeated. Here is the reason why the last words of the Old Testament speak of John the Baptist.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Malachi 4:5-6)

And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. (Matthew 11:14)

When Peter spoke of a replacement for Judas Iscariot, he specified that the new apostle must be a witness to John's ministry (Acts 1:21-22). Apart from this, he could not be an eyewitness to the entire gospel story. Again, when Peter carried the gospel to the Gentiles, his message included a reference to John's ministry (Acts 10:37).

Indeed the witness of John was part of Messiah's credentials. Christ himself pointed this out in Matthew 11:13-14. He said, in effect, "If John is Elijah, then I must be Messiah." The true shepherd did not climb over the fence but went to the door and was recognized and admitted by the porter. No doubt, when Christ spoke of the porter, he was thinking of John the Baptist.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (John 10:1-3)

Perhaps an illustration from our modern world will help. In sporting and entertaining events, a star draws the crowd. This celebrity is introduced by a host who speaks with a very distinctive voice. (Remember, John identified himself as a "voice", John 1:23.) When the host walks onto the stage, the crowd goes wild. The show has begun! However, when the star walks onto the stage, the host retires and is soon forgotten. As the "voice", John announced the Messiah. His job done, he retired from view. His testimony was, He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).

Thus we see from the Scriptures the folly of connecting John's baptism with some Old Covenant lustration. John was not the end of the law, but the beginning of the gospel.

G. We conclude this study by calling attention to the implications of denying that John's baptism was indeed Christian baptism. Those who hold a different view must live with some glaring inconsistencies. If John's baptism was not Christian:

- The Christ was without Christian baptism.
- The Head of the church was without Christian baptism.
- The twelve apostles were without Christian baptism.
- The first church began without Christian baptism.
- The Lord's Supper was first observed without Christian baptism.
- The apostles spent their lives carrying out Christ's commission and starting churches without Christian baptism. May God keep us from believing things so ridiculous and dishonoring to the wisdom of God!
In conclusion, I ask one simple question. Have you followed the Lord in baptism? If you are a believer, it is your duty.

His institutions would I prize;
Take up the cross, the shame despise;
Dare to defend his noble cause,
And yield obedience to his laws.

8.0.0 iii: THE BAPTISM OF JESUS