Lesson 1789

(Lesson 1789)(08-07-16) Luke 20:1-8

"And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things."

As we read in today's quote, when the chief priests, scribes and elders of the Jews challenged Jesus as to who granted Him authority to teach in the temple, Jesus returned the challenge by asking, "I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?" The Jews, after reasoning among themselves, refused to answer fearing that the people would rise up against them.

There are two distinct lessons in today's quote, the one already mentioned, Jesus' challenge to the authority and authenticity of the Jewish leadership.

The second lesson is to properly express the meaning of the phrase "the baptism of John". Defining that phrase is very important in that so many who study or simple read the bible, automatically, and wrongfully, relate the word "baptism" to some means of cleansing by the ritual use of water, either by total immersion or simple sprinkling etc..

In truth, the phrase "the baptism of John", as it is applied in today's quote, is in reference to both the message that John brought from the wilderness, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." And, the preparatory ritual of water "baptism". ONLY if the verbal part of John's message was accepted, could ritual water immersion follow as an integral part of "the baptism of John.

To maybe better clarify, it should be restated that the water portion of "the baptism of John", was administered ONLY after the listener had heard and accepted the fact that Jesus was coming to die as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world and to fulfill the Law for all those who would come to believe in Him.

It also behooves us to remember that water immersion (baptism) originated with the ancient Jews and was required under God's law to be administered before any Jew could enter a tabernacle or temple to pray or offer sacrifice. It also was required of all Jews before they could enter into ANY form of religious service. This is why the water portion "the baptism of John" was required of those who accepted John's message and who would convert to Jesus.~