His message is one of baptism...
Illustration
Object:
His message is one of baptism. That seems to be the beginning our Christian walk.
There were many in Nepal who believed in Jesus, but their family was Hindu and they didn't want to destroy the family. We all had the question of whether their faith alone would save them. Some felt that their faith should be strong enough so that they would willingly risk losing their family as many did in scripture. Others felt that their faith would save them since they wanted to be baptized but couldn't do it just then. We discussed where a baby would go if it were killed in an accident on the way to church for its baptism. Only God knows.
It is interesting that so many crowds came out to confess their sins and be baptized, especially since Jesus was not revealed yet. Were they saved? God knows! Did they come back for that second baptism when Jesus appeared?
Even John was surprised when his cousin appeared. They hadn't even met yet, but when Jesus came out of the water and God appeared in the form of a dove, there were no more doubts except among the Pharisees and scribes.
The text talks about a second baptism in the Holy Spirit. Does that mean you will be able to talk in tongues? That doesn't seem to be the point.
The interesting thing that John wondered about is why Jesus needed to be baptized since he had no sin. It seems that Jesus was setting an example by obeying the law. John went ahead and obeyed Jesus' command to be baptized, and the Spirit came down from heaven and confirmed Jesus' request.
There are always doubters and also witnesses of miracles like the voice from heaven at Jesus' baptism. Nothing we can do or even God can do will convince some to believe in Christ. Some will doubt anything.
There were many in Nepal who believed in Jesus, but their family was Hindu and they didn't want to destroy the family. We all had the question of whether their faith alone would save them. Some felt that their faith should be strong enough so that they would willingly risk losing their family as many did in scripture. Others felt that their faith would save them since they wanted to be baptized but couldn't do it just then. We discussed where a baby would go if it were killed in an accident on the way to church for its baptism. Only God knows.
It is interesting that so many crowds came out to confess their sins and be baptized, especially since Jesus was not revealed yet. Were they saved? God knows! Did they come back for that second baptism when Jesus appeared?
Even John was surprised when his cousin appeared. They hadn't even met yet, but when Jesus came out of the water and God appeared in the form of a dove, there were no more doubts except among the Pharisees and scribes.
The text talks about a second baptism in the Holy Spirit. Does that mean you will be able to talk in tongues? That doesn't seem to be the point.
The interesting thing that John wondered about is why Jesus needed to be baptized since he had no sin. It seems that Jesus was setting an example by obeying the law. John went ahead and obeyed Jesus' command to be baptized, and the Spirit came down from heaven and confirmed Jesus' request.
There are always doubters and also witnesses of miracles like the voice from heaven at Jesus' baptism. Nothing we can do or even God can do will convince some to believe in Christ. Some will doubt anything.
