The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-01-17
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
JANUARY 10.
Lesson Text: "The Ministry OF John
the Baptist" Luke ILL.,. 1922
Golden Text: John T.,
29-Commentary.

Is. "And as the people were in expecration
and all men mused in their hearts OF John.
whether he were the Christ or not" John
was in the deserts till the day Of his showing
appointed time the word of God came unto
John in the wilderness, and he went forth to
preach the baptism Of repentan 80 for the re-
mission OF sins (chapter ill.,, 2, 81. The effect
upon many OF the people was simply that of
suspense and debating as to whether John
was the Christ or not. See margin. Some OF
them asked him IL he was the Christ or
Elijah or that prophet. They need not have
debated the question, nor have remained In
suspense, had they been subjects to the
prophets Isaiah and Malachi nor would
they have reasoned much as to who John
was had they been truly expecting Him
whom John preached.
16. "John answered, saying unto them all.
l indeed baptize you with water. but Que
mightier than cometh. the latches OF whose
shoes am not worthy to unlooSe. He shall
baptize YOU with the Holy Ghost and with
fire." John said that he was neither Elijah
nor Christ nor tho prophet, but only voice
-tobe heard aud not seen-crying, MAKE
straight the way OF the Lord" And so he
cried. "Behold the Lamb of God!" John j..
81. 20, 90, 36.l When afterward they told
John that all wero following jesus, he said:
''This my joy, therefore, is fulfilled. He must
increase, but must decrease" (John ill.,, 29
3U). This beautiful spirit OF John which
seeks nothing for self. but aims only to mag
nifty the Lord, Is very much to be desired and
Is within our reach for it Is the Spirit Of
Christ Himself, who never sought His own
will nor His own glory (John ", so; vi, So;
viii. SOY. He Is ready to fill us with His
Spirit Guke XII, 1S), and He will when we
are ready by His grace to live His life (I
Cor iv., 10, 1D.
II. "Whose fan is in His hand, and He
will thoroughly purge His floor and will
gather the wheat into His garner, but the
chaff He will burn with fire unqCenchable."
The baptism OF Israel with the Holy Spirit
and with fro will be at the harvest time. the
end OF this age (Math. xiii, 40-43; 1sa. Xiv,
8; Nal. ill.,, 2), but individual believers may
and should bo filed with the Spirit now, and
they may also know somewhat OF the ex-
perience of fire. for there Is much dross in
us to be consumed. The unquenchable fire
is, however, the same as the Lord Himself
referred TO in Mark ix., 1918; Math. xiii, AZ.
See also Rev. xiv, Gil.
49, "And many other things in his exhor-
tation preached he unto the people" In
John ill.,, 1885, we find that. among the
other things, John preached that Jesus is
the Son OF God (see also chapter l., 3I; that
He was sent OF God: that Hespake the words
OF God; that whosoever receives the Son
hath life, but he that receives nos the Son
hath no life, but abides unC.er the wrath OF
God; that Il man can receive nothing except
1t be given him from heaven, and that 1t Is n
great honor to be q friend Of the Bridge
groom, even OF Jesus Christ. Elsewhere He
taught that repentance Is nothing unless it
is proved to be real by works corresponding
thereto. We may listen to preaching as
sound and Christ honoring as that OF John.
but we read that even the word OF God will
not profit those who hear it unless they be-
lieve it (Heb iv., y.
19. "But Herod. the tetrarch. being re-
proved by him for Herodias, his brother
Philips wife, and for all the evils which
Herod had done" The particulars OF this
will be found in Mark vi, 1920, where it is
II. Ia Ix,tI bali INht % hn
just and holy man, heard him gladly and
did many things. Some would say, therefore,
that John might have done more for Herod
IL he had kept his favor and been gentle
with him and not rebuked his sin, but tho
true servant of God has no thought OF pleas
ing men so rs to keep their favor, even
though they be great as Herod (Gal. l.. +,
20). Our one and constant aim must be to
please Him Who has given Us so great u trust
rs His gospel (GI Thess. H.. A.
90. .Added yet this above all-that he
shut up John in prison." This was no new
experience for Il prophet OF the Lord, as u
king OF Judah put Hanani in prison because
Of tho Lords message through him. Mi
caiah was snitten, put in prison and fed on
bread and water because he was faithful to
God. Jeremiah also was smitten and i'm
prsoned in the dungeon II Chrop. xvi, 10;
xviii, %, 26; Jer xxxvii.. 49,. The Lord
Jesus told His apostles very plainly that
they must not fear tribulation, imprison-
ment oreven death Oohn xvi. /. .. 33; Rev.
H., TO- Math. X. 2S. In Jas. v, 10, we read
that the prophets are TO us an example Of
suffering, afliiction and OF patience, and in
II Pet. H., 2l-23. our Lord Himself is spoken
OF as our example in these things.
81. Now. when all the people were bap-
tized. it came to pass that, Jesus also being
baptized and praying. the heaven was
oianed.' Luke is the only one who speaks
Of Jc..rs praying AZ His baptism. He spent
much time in prayer. How can we do His
works without it? Matthew tells us that
John at first ot 'reG - narts:ng Him on
account Of his e. ,hn'>) -;ft..trc need but tina.
Jesus replied. '"T:n, ",u:frC i To pe so now
to fultill all righteous. tMath. ill.,, IA,
15l. Jesus was "EG /, righteousness itself
asi becomes our righteousness when we ac-
ccpt Him (RoT. X. /. IL Cor. ". 2D. Sec
heaven openea in John l. Acts v,i., Rev.
iv. XIX and EaeE.
90 "And the Holy GhOst deScrnded in a
bodily shape like u dove upon Him. and u
voice came from ncaven winch said: Thou
art My beloved Son. In Thee ( am well
pleased" He was and is the true ark, wherB
only the dovelike Spirit finds perfect rest
At Pentecost we rrah of tongues OF fire in
connection with III" SPIRIT coming upon tho
disciples. but Christ needed no tire. He was
always and in all things we'll pleasing to
God. II we are willing to 1--we His life. He
will by His Spirit work i'll ul tEa; which is
well pleasing in HiS sight (ll Cor. iy.. IL ".
8; Rom. xii, /, g Heb. Kilt. 2D. His life
had but one aim-to goriIy God.-Lcsson
Helper.