The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-01-06

himself for baptism. At once (ac-
cording to Matthew John shrank
from baptizing One whom he
realized was in no need of his
baptism of repentance. Indeed,
conscious of his own sinfulness,
he felt that he should rather be
baptized by his Guilelcss Compan-
ion. But Jesus in calm authorl-
tative voice which the Baptist
dared not disregard, called for
baptism in order that they both
might complete every kind of
righteousness required Of them.
Baptism placed Jesus, visibly, in
the ranks of the true Israel; it
made him a shining example for
all his followers, who should, in
their baptism, confess him before
men; and it was a fitting intro
duction with its attendant circum-
stances, to his appearance and
proclamation as the Messiah. So
the greatest and most Impressive
of all baptisms took place. The
baptismal act was crowned with
divine glory. As Jesus emerged
from the river praying (as Luke
says) the rent heavens disclosed
a sight and sound visible and
audible to Jesus and John, but
probably to no others. They saw
the Spirit descend upon Jesus in
the form and manner of dove
which was among the birds what
the lamb was among the beasts.
They heard the voice of the Faith
CT identifying Jesus as the Son
and approving him as Saviour.
THE DEFEAT OF SATAN
The Proven Christ, as tested
and triumphant in his tempta-
ton, prepared for a life Of serv-
ice. The great initial test follow
ed Immediately the glory of the
baptismal hour. 1t occurred in the
depths of the wilderness (perhaps
on Mount Quarantania near Jeri-
cho) and among the wild beasts
(wolf, hyena, and leopard infest-
ing the region). Thither he was
driven under impulse of the
Spirit, for the second Adam must
win here what the first Adam lost
in Eden. And Satan sought to dis
lodge him from his Sonship as
declared at his baptism. For 40
days the trial lasted, closing with
three superlative assaults which
were repulsed. Then Satan fled
from him for a season and the
ministering angels flocked to his
side.
FOLLOW CHRIST IN THE
LIFE OF SERVICE
Cd Following the Christ of
God. Jesus Christ, the Son Of
God" He was a human being and
bore the human name of Jesus.
He was the anointed of God whom
the Hebrews called the Messiah
and the Greeks called the Christ.
Even so he was the Son of God,
embodying in himself the divine
nature, being equal and identical
with God.
(2) Follow the Christ of the
Gospel. THE beginning of the
gospel" Not such another story
was ever written. 1t is the story
f, of the greatest being who ever
walked among the sons Of men.
1t is the best tidings which a mer-
ciful heaven could send to the
world. 1t is the good news of
. salvation. ~
CO Follow the Christ of the
Prophets. 1T is written in Isaiah
the prophet" The smoking altar
fires of old anticipated the rising
of the Sun Of Righteousness. The
most radiant outlook of the an
cient seers forecast afar the COM
ing of the Lord. The brightest
pages Of the prophet announced
, his coming and described his mis-
sion.
/ (4) Follow the Christ of the
Forerunner. "Who shall prepare
the way;-Make yeready the way
of the Lord" The prophets could
predict and the Baptist could
/ herald, and the people could pre-
pare the way for the coming
King. And today messengers can
60 before his face like John cry
ing out his gospel, cutting down
dead trees, casting up broken
highways, and making ready for
his reign.
60 Follow the Christ of the
Call to Repent. "The voice of one
crying in the wilderness - John
came--and preached the baptism
of repentance unto remission of
sins" God still delights to use
that marvellous instrument, the
human voice, in the spread of his
cause. But only the consecrated
voice carrying the gospel message
can ever bless the world. Men
! should know that to have their
sins RENTED they must repent
and that having repented they
ought to be baptized in obedience
to the Lord.