1. Following Christ in Baptism January 18

2. Think About It … Who is the most famous person you have met or even just shaken hands with? How did this “brush with greatness” make you feel? Today we look at John the Baptist’s brush with greatness – When he met Jesus and baptized Him – We will look at his response to Jesus

3. Let’s listen for John’s initial reaction to Jesus’ request. Matthew 3:13-15 (NIV) Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. [14] But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" [15] Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. … John 1:29-31 (NIV) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said,

4. Let’s listen for John’s initial reaction to Jesus’ request. "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! [30] This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' [31] I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." is to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

5. Responses to Baptism Note the route from Nazareth to the area where John was baptizing – Intentional effort on Jesus’ part – Jesus specifically intended to be baptized – Not a mere chance encounter

6. Responses to Baptism What comments does John the Baptist have to say about Jesus in the passage from John’s gospel? How did John initially react to Jesus’ request? Consider something you have used in a way different from it’s intended purpose … you adapted it to fit your purposes.

7. Responses to Baptism John did just this with baptism – Baptism not new, John’s adaptation was. – Baptism required for Gentile to become Jewish. – John called Jews to be baptized … highly offensive to Jewish leaders – Called everyone to repent, even the Jewish leaders – Confrontationally told them they would be judged based on their fruit rather than on their heritage.

8. Responses to Baptism Why do you think John felt awkward about baptizing Jesus? What do you think John mean that Jesus surpassed him because He was before him? How did Jesus respond to John’s reluctance?

9. Responses to Baptism Note again the passage from John’s gospel. What additional reasons did John give for baptizing Jesus? Consider the last three words of 3:15. What do they reveal about John the Baptist’s character?

10. Listen for how the individual came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. John 1:32-33 (NIV) Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. [33] I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' How did John come to believe Jesus was the Messiah?

11. Listen for how the individual came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. John 9:25 (NIV) He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" … 9:34 To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out. [35] Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said,

12. Listen for how the individual came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" [36] "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him." [37] Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." [38] Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. How did the man born blind come to believe Jesus was the Messiah?

13. Listen for how the individual came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. John 20:27-29 (NIV) Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." [28] Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" [29] Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." How did Thomas come to believe Jesus was the Messiah?

14. Discovering the Messiah People come to faith in Christ in a variety of ways … what are some different methods God uses to call people to Jesus today?

15. Note the method of baptism implied by these verses. Matthew 3:15 – 16 (NIV) Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. [16] As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.

16. Symbolism of Baptism What evidence do you see for immersion as the method of baptism? What symbolism do we place on the two parts of baptism? Note Romans 6:4 (NIV) We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Going down into the water Coming up out of the water

17. Symbolism of Baptism What if you asked someone for their “Spiritual I.D.”, some proof of their spiritual condition? What are some ways they often respond? What do we tell the world by being baptized? One of the key purposes of baptism in a believer’s spiritual journey is to identify publicly with Christ and his Church. – This often has far more significance in a heathen culture than in ours

18. Application When someone is baptized in our services pray for that person right then. – Pray they will be made aware of the significance of a public testimony. – Pray that they will continue to have a public testimony of what God is doing in their lives – Pray for believers around the world who are baptized, despite family and cultural opposition to their faith

19. Application John said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. Meditate on the role that the Holy spirit plays in your life on a day to day basis. – Baptizing you into Christ’s death, death to sin – Raising you to a new life of righteousness – Empowering you for service

20. Application As a devotional exercise, write out answers to the following questions might be posed when you are witnessing to someone. – What’s the need for baptism? – I heard you say that baptism doesn’t help save anyone, so why is so much emphasis placed on being baptized? – Have you been baptized? Why or why not?

21. Following Christ in Baptism January 18