The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-31

Eighth Century B. c: CMal. iy, 81 John.
replied no. Third-A-t thou that prophet.
or, more appropriately a prophet: Here
was a glass given by the scribes. VINO
claimed tnat q real genuine prophet. Ike
those Of the old dispensat!on. would ap-
pear, not to close the dispensation. but TO
re-establish the old order. John denied
that ne vas such a person.
DE-LARATON-CVer 22-cD The
visitors were perplexed- They had ex-
nausted the suggestions made by the
scholars and were compelled to ai.o" the
any hint from them. falling back upon
their first inquiry. They made bold. how
ever. to state the reason for their qucS-
tioning-that theg might answer th0se
VINO had sert them. Understanding there
fore that his words would be returned 10
the hierarchy at Jerusalem. and that they
power. John made his reply n very brief.
yet comprehensive. terms The snp lefty
and appropriateness OF that reply Will ap-
pear Il5w as it did then. He declared him
Losing sight altogether Of any name. hJs
or or Office he described himself by his
only function. He would be known by his
utte-ances, rather not known at ali. If HIS
words could be heard. He came with one
message. Make straight the way OF the
Lord. Get ready for the Masters com
approach Of the King ard calling them 70
prepare for him Matt. iii. 81
BAPTISM-(Verses 2rSSJ Johns replies
did not fully satist* the men who were
explain the work OF John. He was doing
what seemed TO them to imply greater dig
nifty than he claimed for himself. II he
was merely g. preacher. caring only for his
message and that a very brief one pertain
ing to person. why should he baptize?
The ordinance OF baptism siGntfied in those
days more than mere hearing Of SELL
tence. however big that sentence may rave
been. Among other things II implied that
the administrator desired To attach per
sons 10 himself to make them his dis
cip!eS and supporters. and so to build up
more or less OF & CongreEdtion. a c 'iEpany
Of individuals sustaining common cause.
John, therefore. explained Irs baptism. II
was with water. 4 symbol OF Repentance
Matt. III. 2. administered only to those
who confessed their sins. an important
preliminary. designed 20 usher in the one
whom re proclaimed. one VINO was coming
after. but who WAS preferred to him be-
cause superior.
TESTIMONy-Uerses2 2-so) The inter
view between John and the messengers
from Jerusalem closed with his answer eN-
planning his position PROBABLY they re-
turned. The next day he had opportunity
to show in another va Just what he came
10 do He was IN the open air standing. IN
eyes he saw Jesus approaching II wes
after the temptation in the wilderness
Luke iv. j.. to which he was led by the
spirit. During h.s absence John had
moved from the Jordan TO Betha5gra. a
i.it!e distance beyond. Verse g,.. i. .Ge-
sus caclc near John spoke 10 those about
pO-tart declarations. The first. was. BE
lold The Lamb OF tiocI that taketh away
tho SIN of he world" Here was an IN
IrTste.i reference to the lamb offered in
sacrifice under tho I-yitic.,l dispeusat!on
Tx. xii, b. fulfilinenJ of what lad been
) lifted through all the centuries and
what was well understood by Jews ,ACtS
viii. ~. what i'll fact became a prominent
theme Of discourse IL the II. " iispensa-
ton. Il Peter /. i9J Tho other statement
was to the effect that Jesus was he per
son TO whom John had referred in his
him.
alISsION-(verse 81 An opportunity
Vas thus presented for Johr: 20 declare his
nilsson to his own disciples. sonnet hing
which they reeI"Ci then To know 1eGaust
of what he had Just told them concerning
Jesus. He wou!d have them know his r.
lation to Jesus to the Limb Of God. OF
whom they had heard him speak. un.y a.,
they kuew that relation could they have
Just IDEAS OF J"nn. their master. lie would
preacher OF rishteoGsness r"former
however exalted might be their concep-
tons Of such q person and however v4lua
he and necessary is such ministry. In
stead. rs told them plainly that Ia came
50 that Jesus might be manifest to Israel.
That Has his only rnissiuHhe was the
fpreruHner or intrniLcer Of the Christ. the
Savior. But in saying this John did not
follow the method adopted with the mes
s.nCrrs from JeruSs lcrl--ne did not Do
clare that he was voice to proc laim Mes
s!ah tvers.. 30. but h. explained that this |
was the reason he harttzed-he laid en-
phasts upon that part OF his work which |
perplcxed the messengers.
FISiON-(Verses 32-.3D How could |
John make known that Jesus was the |
Messiah either by preaching or baptism? |
How whs he qualified for such testimony? |
He must have knowledge. How did he Oh |
tam It? He expressly declares that. |
though they were cousins dixie l. 2S,. thry. !
had no personal acquaintance. ,Nersn 81 ) |
They We're so fer separated. one In Hebron |
and the other In Nazareth. that Trey had |
never met. This device had been an |
pointed. John shoIid enter the ministry. !
preach Righteousness and baptize those |
who came to forSake their sins. In t7e |
course of this ministry Jesus .yo'.d offer |
himself, and he would be distinguished BIZ |
a form lighting upon him resembling = |
dove. Whenever that appeared John was |
10 know that the Messiah had come Tha; |
dove was an emblem Of the Holy Spirit |
81 sigrifyips that Jesus would haptize with |
the Holy Spirit. Thus we discover the !
reason for Johns explanation to his dis |
clp.es, He came baDtZing Decause in this |
way . vision would be given announcing |.
Messiah, an explanation he could moi |
make to the messengers
ASSURANt'E-Werse 2tD This phenorn- |
enon was all that John the Baptist neetie,i |
TO assure himself that Jesus was the Mes. |
siah. He says nothing here Of the heaven
ly voice which proclaimed the sonsfIip to |
him CMatt- Ill. 10. upon which other evan |
gelists laid emphasis. mark i, - That