FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
August 23
CHRIST UPLIFTED: ‘BEHOLD THE SON OF MAN’-NOT THE ‘MAN OF SIN’! (Part 8)
First, petition in prayer for the Holy Spirit, following Jesus’ clear instructions in Luke 11: 1-13. The issue of cleansing and purification that baptism is is designed to accomplish, is already addressed here. Let’s read together John 3: 22-30, KJV (emphasis mine):
“v 22 After these things came Jesus and His disciples into the land of Judaea; and there He tarried with them, and baptized. (IMPORTANT NOTE: Jesus did not personally perform any baptisms but through His disciples. See John 4: 1, 2).
v 23 And John [the Baptist] was also baptizing in AEnon near to Salim, because there was MUCH WATER there [immersion requires this; sprinkling does not]: and they came, and were baptized.
v 24. For John was not yet cast into prison. [see Matt. 14: 1-12].
v 25 Then there arose a QUESTION between John’s disciples and the Jews about PURIFYING.
v 26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, He that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness [‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world’], behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to Him.
v 27 John answered and said, A MAN can receive nothing except it be given Him from HEAVEN.
v 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am NOT the Christ, but that I am SENT BEFORE HIM. [the prophesied messenger, forerunner who would prepare/pave the way for Christ’s public ministry].
v 29 He that hath the bride is the Bridegroom: but the FRIEND of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth Him, REJOICETH GREATLY because of the BRIDEGROOM’S [not the bride’s] VOICE.; THIS MY JOY THEREFORE IS FULFILLED.
v 30. He [the Bridegroom] must INCREASE, but I must DECREASE. (Read verses 31-36).
John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus by water immersion in order “that all righteousness might be fulfilled,” as His forerunner and the mortal who was prophesied to baptize the Messiah, uplifted the Son of man, declaring to the Jews, Christ’s disciples, and to the world, HE MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE!
All who are truly preparing their characters and preparing the way as the “three angels” of Rev. 14: 6-13 for the Son of man’s imminent glorious Second Advent, will “uplift the Son of man” who is the “only-begotten Son of God,” by “magnifying His law,” the transcript of His character——particularly the Sabbath of creation of the Creator, “the Lord of the Sabbath,” not the “man of sin,” the Lord of the Sun Day!
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF