The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-01-27

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Il is uncertain whether this rite was
originated by John. or whether he
adapted a rite known and occasionally
used before. II either case ne applied
il 10 repentance and made Il universal
L was a most fitting embiei, Of the
cleansing of the soul from sin, o.
death 70 sin. and rising 70 righteous
ness.
Confessing their sins The very act
Of baptism WIS a confession or sins
and promise Of repentance. bat,
doubtless they also. as Afford says.
made "a particular and individual con
fession.~ No one truly repents who
does not also confess-tO God the sins
against God. 10 man the Gins against
man, TO individuals the sins against
them. ever also making restitution as
far as possible
Confession honoFs God. proves sin
cerity. strengthens the new life. is z
noble and honorable act that does sll
Il can 10 undo the evil that had been
wrought.
Note that the excitement that some
times accompanies such scenes is a
mere incident Of little account except
as making the good work more widely
known. The real power is such deep
feeling. such a moving Of the motion
al nature. however quiet, as leads 10
repentance, restoration, confession
and new life.
5. John Prepared the Way bY Point
ing Men to Christ Tvs Z. 81. z.
Preached" Proclaimed as a herald.
The Greek tense implies that he kept
doing this The Iatchet Of whose
s'.yes.@ or rather, sandals. Lstchet. q
wcTd now obsolete, was the thong,
or ~lace" with which shoes or sandals
we're fastened Il am not worthy to
unloOse" It was the business
Of the lowest servants to bird on. 10
loose. and carry about their masters
sandals The nature Of Jesus. the
work Or Jesus for men was Infinitely
above Jcha's. greatest Of the prophets
as he was. John could point to the
Savior. Jesus could save John could
serd men 10 the good physician. Jesus
could cure the disease OF sin s. L
indeed have baptized you with
water. unto repentance (Matt.). A
sign and symbol 1 cali 10 repentance.
and cannot give the new life. sDEt
be shaa baptize you with the
Holy Ghost" tGhost Is Old Eng
ish for ~spiritl. Tie Euightiest
DoV'eF in the universe for renewing
he heart and bringing il the kingdom
II God. It would be as easy to bring
without the sun as the
singdom Of Coo without the Holy
Spirit
III. The Preparation OF Public Pro-
ession Through Baptism--v. 9. an
hose days when Jesus was about 80
ears old, and while John was preach
ng and baptizing in the Jordan. Aboat
tx months after John began 10 preach.
Baptized Of John" Described more
ully in Matthew Jesus received bap-
sss- which expressed death to an old
lfe and rising to a new" because %
aptism expressed a public renuncia-
lon OF sin. and an open stand on the
ide Of God and righteousness. Christ
Id not need 10 repent but he did need
Q show by this public profession that
e belonged on the side Of righteous
ess. and was eternally opposed to sin.
p Baptism was required OF his fol-
,wers as one OF the great aids 70 a
Ighteous life. Christ, therefore, would
ilfl every duty he required OF them.
K was the standard and example or
go By Sis baptism he
aowed that he was Himself a brother
the sinful He shares the fortunes
our fallen and wrecked humanity.
Nv. Preparation By Receiving the
oily Spirit-v. 10. "And stralghtway
'mlng up as soon as he was bap-
zed. "Euthymius. Greek monk of
e twelfth century. quantity remarks.
hey say that John had the people un-
sr water Up TO the neck till they had
Infessed their sins. and that Jesus
wing none 70 confess tarried not In
e river There might be worse ex-
anations Exp. Greek Test @The
init Ike dove descending nuon
m" The Holy Spirit descended not
Ily in the manner OF dove. but In
e bodily shape OF a dove tI.nke
22l. This was the symbol: the CON-
g of the srirt was the reality.
Y The Preparation Which Comes
ON the Assurance That He had
vine Cali to HIS Mission.-v. II.
here came a voice from heaven.
Tree times during our Lords earthly
nistry was a voice heard from heav-
+. tlJ at his baptism: (2) at his
fMsrk s;7): (2) in the
lrts Of the temple during Passion
EEK (John l2: :2sl. Thou art my Be-.
'ed Son, Ia whom am well
.ased !" Thus God endorsed him and
mission, and showed to the Jewish
Ion that here was the Messiah. 1t
st also have strengthened and con-
ned the human Jesus as to his ma
e and his work.
{ Is hard to realize what power and
rage and patience are given to re-
mers and prophets and all workers
Gods kingdom. amid the stress ~