baptism Archives – Sonshine's Journal

John 1:15-51, Matt 4, Luke 4-5 John the Baptist has been called by God to be the voice of the Messiah who is now in their midst. He answered their questions: I am not the Christ, I am not Elijah, I am not the prophesied Prophet, BUT I am the voice in the wilderness. I am preparing the way of the Lord by baptizing you to meet the Lamb of God. He is now in your midst, but you do not recognize Him, and I am unworthy to untie his sandal straps.

How do I know it is He? John replies, “I was witness to the Spirit descending upon him from heaven and it rested upon him. “ That was the sign that God gave me. This is he of whom the prophets spoke.

How often do we face questions about the Messiah? We can echo John and tell the world that He is the one of whom God prophesied and one who has the Spirit of God upon Him.

But what about us? We have not witnessed John, nor have we been baptized by him. We have, however, met the Messiah somewhere along our life’s path, and we have been the recipients of the Spirit of God upon us. Have you met Him?

stocksnap carl cerstand romans 4

Paul has laid to rest the concept of working for one’s salvation but now another question must be addressed. For whom is this justification and when did it first occur. These are critical questions that must be addressed for the Jew to understand God’s plan.

In chapter 3 Paul essentially said justification is for any who believe. Yet the Jew clings to his circumcision as proof that justification is for he alone. Paul seeks to help them over this impasse and thus refers to Abraham. Yesterday we said that Abraham believed God, not in a God but he believed God and it was counted unto him as righteousness. But, when did it happen; before he was circumcised or after? Circumcision was a physical sign between man and God as a sign of the covenant. Yet, as Paul reminds his Jewish listeners, Abraham believed God in Genesis 12 but it was not until Genesis 17 that God commanded him and his household to be circumcised. Therefore, his circumcision carried no weight regarding his justification. Again as we said yesterday, you cannot take credit for what God has done. Justification is a gift from God alone lest anyone choose to boast. Circumcision is but a wonderful sign but faith alone brings you to God:.

In the same way baptism will not save you, the exchange of rings in a marriage ceremony does not make you married and circumcision does not justify anyone. These are signs, to affirm but are not the gift itself. The blessing is that if we believe like Abraham we too have the promise of justification.

What are you clinging to for your justification?

Tag: baptism

The Witnesses

Romans 4 “Justification for Whom and When?”