Sunday, November 27, 2005

Mark - Baptism of Jesus

Baptism of Jesus

Mark 1:7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

In the Jewish customs, a disciple was not allowed to remove the masters shoe. This was too lowly a task and was delegated to a slave. The slave would remove the dusty sandals of guests and wash their feet. Here, John said that he was not even worthy to even untie the shoe, let alone remove it. In authority and in Spirit, Jesus, the Son of God was greater than all men.

Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

The baptism of Jesus is to be born again of God's Spirit. Water baptism represents going down in the grave and being raised in new life in His Spirit. Being born again of His Spirit is more then the physical act of water baptism, it is a new heart, given by God.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

What about tongues, isn't that the baptism of the Holy Ghost? It may be an evidence, yet the fruit that follows is a better evidence. It is an encounter with God that changes your life, not a ritual or requirement of a church.

Mark 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

John had never met Jesus, even though their mothers were cousins. He knew Jesus by the Holy Ghost. Even in His mother Elisabeth's, womb he knew the presence of Jesus.

Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Mat 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Mat 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Mat 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Mark 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Mark 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

The evidence of the Triune or Trinity God. God the Son, in Jesus, the man. The voice of God the Father from heaven and the coming down of the Holy Spirit. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, these are the three personal forms of God reaching out to redeem us and to bring us back as the son's of God.

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