Lesson 4469

 (Lesson 4469)(04-28-24) John 1:29-34 

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” 

 

Today’s quote describes a significant encounter between John the Baptist and Jesus. As Jesus approached him, John declared, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." That proclamation identified Jesus as the sacrificial lamb prophesied in the Scriptures, destined to remove the sins of all those who would come to believe in Him. John also recounted how he did not initially recognize Jesus as the Messiah, but he knew that his purpose was to reveal Him to Israel through his the message that he brought and the ceremonial water baptisms he performed. John also shared a divine revelation he had received: the one on whom he saw the Spirit descending and remaining is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. This revelation came to be when John baptized Jesus and witnessed the Holy Spirit descending “like a dove” onto Him. John concluded his testimony by affirming that he had seen and could testify that Jesus is the Son of God. This passage highlights the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and the divine confirmation of His messianic identity.~ 

NOTE: It is important to remember that, in today’s quote, John the Baptist clearly distinguished the difference between the importance of the soul saving baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus would perform and the ritual water baptisms he (John) performed.