Lesson 1702

(Lesson 1702)(06-07-16) Luke 3:7-18

"Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people."

In the first part of today's quote, John demanded that those who came to hear, and take part in his baptism, should demonstrate that they had truly turned from their old ways sufficient to demonstrate real repentance. This demand also validates the contention that those who were present to hear John preach, were there to cleanse themselves both spiritually and physically for the presence of the Lord. When the people, in response to what John preached, asked, "what shall we do then?", John in essence, told them to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the chosen people of God. They were to simply to treat their brothers and sisters the same way they expected to be treated, or in essence, John told them to love their neighbors as they loved themselves.

In verse 16, John made a very, very important point. He said, "I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire". John was, of course, referring to the coming of Jesus Christ.

It is very important for us to note that John stressed the point that the "baptism" he offered and preached, was just a preparatory cleansing to ready the repenter physically and spiritually for the coming of the Lord in accordance with the Law of Moses. John also stressed a special point by saying Jesus the savior was coming and that He (Jesus) would be administering an entirely different baptism, Jesus would administer the soul redeeming baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire or in essence, the baptism of salvation by grace through faith in His virgin borne life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension.

We should be careful to separate the very different definitions of the actions implied by the usage of the word "baptism" in today's quote. Water "baptism" is merely a preparatory physical water bath that was required of all Jews as they entered into religious service. The "baptism of repentance" is a psychological cleansing that was also required of all Jews under the Law.

The "baptism" of the Holy Ghost, which is accomplished through faith in Jesus Christ, is that baptism that is mentioned in Galatians 3:26-27, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

If one is baptized into water, that one has only put on water and put off the soil of the earth. If one is baptized into Jesus Christ, that one has "put on Christ" and has eternally put off the sins of the world.~

Lesson 1701

(Lesson 1701)(06-06-16) Luke 3:1-6

"Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

Today's lesson is continued from the quote from Luke 3:1-6.

Yesterday we determined that the "the baptism of John" was much more that just a ceremonial water bath, although water baptism according to the Law of Moses was definitely a part of John's obligation to his Jewish brethren in preparing them for the coming of the Lord.

Water immersion was definitely a part of "John's baptism", however, the most important element of that "baptism" was the message John was divinely inspired to to teach to his Hebrew brethren. That message being "repentance for the remission of sins". "And he came into all the country about Jordan, PREACHING THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS".

The ultimate purpose of John's message was to, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord". Therefore, in order to prepare the Jews for the coming of the Lord, John was obligated to assure that under the rules of the Law, the Jewish brethren were appropriately cleansed, both in body and in spirit.

The baptisms John the Baptist administered were done in accordance with the the Law of Moses which demanded that before entering into any religious action such as prayer, fasting or the offering of a sacrifice etc, every Jew was to first clean their bodies with clean flowing water and to cleanse their spirits by repenting their sins so as to present themselves, before God, un-defiled by the filth of the earth.

As we continue our bible study, it is very important to remember that the phrase "the baptism of John" concerns much more than simple water immersion or sprinkling. When our study is complete, this knowledge will us to understand that much of what has been taught about "baptism" has been distorted by the misunderstanding of what the term actually implies in any given context.~

Lesson 1700

(Lesson 1700)(06-05-16) Luke 3:1-6

"Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

Today's lesson concerns the mission that was tasked upon John the Baptist by God the Father, even before his divinely inspired birth.

As we see in verse three of today's quote, John, "came into all the country about Jordan, PREACHING the BAPTISM of repentance for the remission of sins".

Every sincere bible student should make note that, within the context of this passage, John did NOT come PERFORMING physical water baptisms, but rather, he came PREACHING "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins".

John was sent to preach a specific message that God had taught him in the desert.

John's divine message was clearly intended for his Jewish brethren and it was an instruction for them to "repent for the remission of sin". His message was also instructed the Jewish people to; "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight".

Therefore, it is clear that, taken in it's proper context, the word "baptism", as it is applied in today's quote, defines a specific message, or a lesson that was to be learned by John's Jewish brethren and has nothing to do with a ceremonial water "baptism" as the rite is practiced today.~

NOTE: In the upcoming days, when our lessons reach the water baptism of Jesus, I will explain in much further detail the difference between the "baptism of John", his message, and the actual water baptisms he performed which were required of all Jews, under the Law of Moses.

Lesson 1699

(Lesson 1699)(06-04-16) Luke 2:41-52

"Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

Today's quote tells how Jesus, even as a child only twelve years old, was able to discuss matters concerning God and the prophets with the Hebrew elders in the temple.~

Lesson 1698

(Lesson 1698)(06-03-16) Luke 2:15-40

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."

Today's quote reveals how the baby Jesus was visited, recognized and worshiped by the "shepherds" from the East. This quote also reveals how Jesus was duly circumcised and blessed by the priests as was dictated to all Jews by the Law of Moses. Those efforts were all necessary so that Jesus would enter into His ministry having perfectly fulfilled every element of the Law so as to qualify Him as the perfect, sinless sacrifice for the souls of the entire world who would come to place their faith in Him.~

Lesson 1697

(Lesson 1697)(06-02-16) Luke 2:1-14

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Today's quote relates the circumstances surrounding the miraculous birth of our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, the redeemer that God promised and the second part of the Holy Triune; "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Jesus is the "tree of life" that was planted in the East of Eden. "And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 59:20)

The birth of Jesus ended mankind's direct access to God "the Father", that had been until that point, accomplished through direct prayer and sacrifice, and caused that access to only come through faith in and prayer through Jesus Christ, God (the Son) in human form.

God the Father is the first part and the head of the Holy Triune, God the Son (Jesus) is the second part. The third part of the Holy Triune, God the Holy Spirit, did not come until after Jesus had completed His virgin borne life, ministry, death, burial, resurrection and ascension.

The individual eras of the three parts of the Holy triune are necessary to complete and sustain God's plan of redemption and eternal salvation of all those who will believe.~

Lesson 1696

(Lesson 1696)(06-01-16) Luke 1:57-80

"And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel."

Today's lesson relates the birth of John the Baptist and foretells his divine mission: "And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God".~