THE KING’S BUSINESS
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result. It would seem that just the testi mony was given and that is all, yet com pare 3:1; 19:31; 12:42. (b) John’s testimony before the people ( 1 : 29 - 34 ). The previous testimony had been before the priests; now it is given before the peo ple in general. We have described for us here the people’s estimate of John, wherein lies a splendid illustration of the power of a good layman. The essential thing in all good testimony is experimental knowledge—to see for one’s self (1:29, cf. 1 John 1:3). Not-until men see can they bear convincing testimony: “I saw and bear record.” Jesus is described by the Baptist as the “Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world” (1:29; cf. John’s use of the “Lamb” in Revelation 5 :6 ; 7:14, 17; 12:11 ; 21:22, 27; 22:1, 3). Undoubtedly John is referring to Christ as the fulfilment of Isaiah 53. John the Baptist describes Jésus as now known by revelation (1 :33) ; yet Jesus was John’s cousin. Flesh and blood relation ship did not bring divine recognition (cf. Matthew 3:16, 17; 16:13-17; 1 Corinth ians 12 :3; 2 Corinthians 5:16). Mere argu ment will not convince men of Christ’s deity. “Come and see.” Do we believe in Christ because of His miracles and claims, or do we believe in His miracles and claims because we believe in His per son? John recognized Christ as being above him and before him (1:30). This is a tes timony to the pre-existence and superior ity of Christ (cf. Matthew 11:11). John recognized Christ’s work as su perior to his own (1 :33). John baptized with water, Jesus with the Holy Ghost and fire. This baptism with the Spirit is mentioned in all four gospels, also in Acts 11:16. These are the only references in the New Testament to the baptism of the Holy Ghost, with the exception of 1 Corinth ians 12:13. What is the meaning of the baptism with the Holy Ghosf? It has ref erence to that initial act of the Holy Spirit which takes place at regeneration, at which
recorded by the synoptists, and in the gospel of John. In Matthew, Mark, and' Luke the emphasis-is laid on John’s errand and preaching—repentance and baptism; references to the person and work of ^Christ being of a secondary character. In the gospel of John, however, the testimony of the Baptist is introduced principally in so far as it touches the person and work of the Redeemer, reference to the Baptist’s office and work being secondary and inci dental. The bearing of the Baptist’s testi mony on the person and work" of Christ is the reason why John the evangelist intro duces it here. When the delegation inquires about his (the Baptist’s) person, he points them to his office, for he has come to emphasize the person of the Redeemer. The testimony of John is threefold: (a) Before the deputation sent by the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem ( 1 : 19 - 28 ). Jesus is set forth by John as the representative Man. John confessed that he was not the Christ (1:20). In this three-fold emphatic denial we have an illustration of the humil ity of John. He is not Elijah (1 :21). Was John the Baptist Elijah in any sense? Yes, compare Malachi 4:5 with 3:1; Matthew 11:7-14; 17:10-13; Luke 1:17. We have here an illustration of the need of care in interpreting prophetic Scripture. John was not “that prophet” (1:21). John the Baptist is doubtless referring to the prom ised prophet in Deuteronomy 18:15, cf. Acts 3 :22. The Baptist would take no false credit to Himself, although he, not Jesus, was the great man of that hour. - John was a voice (1:23), that is, a her ald proclaiming the advent of the King. John’s humility is seen again in quoting from Isaiah 40:3, which speaks of the people, rather than Malachi 3:1, which related to himself. John came to make the work of Jesus easy. John had a prepar atory ministry (1:26, 31)—his baptism with water unto repentance (cf. Matthew 3:11, 12; Acts 19:1-6). In its preparatory nature lay its meaning. This testimony of the Baptist did not, apparently, yield any or much tangible
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