Who is this man? If Jesus is merely a mortal first century philosopher or an ordinary human religious teacher; and if all the stories about him are nothing more than made up myths and legends, than he’s nothing special, and there’s nothing He can do for us today, and there’s no power in His name. But if Jesus is who John the Baptist said He was, then there is incredible power in the name of Jesus.
How would you identify the Messiah if he were on earth today?
He would be from the tribe of Judah: Genesis 49:10
He would be a descendant of King David: 2 Samuel 7:12-16
He would be born at Bethlehem: Micah 5:2
He would arrive before the destruction of the Temple: Dan 9:24-27
He would present himself by riding on a donkey: Zechariah 9:9
He would be tortured to death: Psalm 22:1-31
He would rise from the dead: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
John the Baptist gave two reasons he believed Jesus was the Messiah.
#1. John saw the Holy Spirit descend like a dove on Jesus.
#2 Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
Identifying the Messiah 19-23
The religious leaders asked John the question, “who are you?”
The religious leaders were tasked to evaluate every religious movement.
Josephus mentions over a dozen “messiah” figures in his day.
The Jews expected three figures to come in the end of days:
Christ – the Anointed Messiah
Elijah - prophesied to come before the day of the Lord. Mal 4:5.
A prophet like Moses. Deut 18:18
John was there to prepare the way before the coming of the Messiah.
Preparing for the Messiah 24-28
The religious leaders asked John the question, “Why are you baptizing?”
What gave John the right and authority to baptize?”
Temple Baptism
ritual washing as a sign of purity comes right out of the Temple.
Converts to Judaism were immersed, or ritually washed.
What right did he have to baptize apart from the Temple?
John’s Baptism
John abandoned the Temple for the Jordan! Why?
Temple baptism should have focused on repantance & forgiveness!
John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance
Repent μετάνοια means to change the way we believe. Acts 19:4
John was preparing them so they could receive the Messiah.
Believer’s Baptism
John’s baptism is similar, but not the same as believers baptism today.
Baptism is a significant step of obedience. Mat 28:19-20,
Baptism does not save you, the Gospel does. 1 Cor 1:14, 17
“We are saved by Grace through faith alone.” Eph 2:8-9
You may be baptized if you believe with all your heart. Acts 8:37
You could get to heaven without it, but why would you want to.
Receiving the Messiah 29-34
John baptized for two reasons.
#1 His was a baptism of repentance to prepare for the Messiah.
#2 His was a baptism of coronation, to introduce the Messiah!
John: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes a way the sin of the world.”
Jesus was God’s perfect Lamb sacrificed for our sins. Isaiah 53:4-7
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive honor & glory! Rev 5:12
What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit and when does it occur?
When you trust Jesus, he baptizes you with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:5
Is speaking in toungs the Baptism of the Spirit? No. 1 Cor 12:30
Acts is not so much a repeatable pattern but a unique transition.
Must Spirit Baptism happen the same way as at Pentecost? If so…
#1 We would need to tarry long in prayer first.
#2 There would have to be a loud rushing wind every time.
#3 There would have to be tongues of fire on believers.
Rather than being a pattern, The book of Acts is a transition.
By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. 1 Cor 12:13
If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Rom 8:9
That is what the Messiah does! Messiah baptizes us with the Holy Spirit once we place our faith and trust in Him! And the Holy Spirit transforms us! He regenerates us! He fills us! He enables us! He gives us Spiritual gifts! He guides us into all truth! He anoints us with power to be his witnesses! He produces His fruits in us! He is our helper and comforter! He teaches us! He leads us!
Water baptism is insignificant when compared to Spirit Baptism. It is the Holy Spirit that is the great differentiator between John’s baptism and the Messiah’s baptism! And that is why we rest in the powerful name of Jesus!