NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY: THE GOSPELS

LECTURE 12

John 3

Did Jesus Baptize?

22-24 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24For John was not yet cast into prison.

(22) Did Jesus baptize? Jn 4:2 states that “Jesus Himself baptized not…” It is unclear; it may be that those in His group (disciples) did the baptizing. In verse 26 it states apparently that Jesus did indeed baptize, though.

Who wouldn’t want to rather be baptized by Jesus Christ, than these mere mortals. They might say that Jesus’ baptism was better than the others’.

One key, very key, component of Jesus’ ministry was baptism. We today should not downplay baptism’s importance.

(23) Paul said that he wasn’t come to baptize, but to preach the gospel. But, John here was called to do both. He positioned himself near ‘much water’ so he could do much baptizing. “Much water” speaks of ‘deep water baptism’, not knee deep water and pouring or sprinkling. Also, I believe the baptizer (pastor) should be in the water with the baptizee and not be wearing ‘waders’. We need to do our best to picture baptism correctly…

Concern over Jesus’ Baptizing

25-27 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. 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 same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

(25) The Jews had practiced baptisms for purification prior to John’s baptism. They probably wanted John to distinguish the two more.

(26) They may have been provoking John here; or, they were wondering why this ‘Jesus’ was taking ‘center stage’ in all of this.

(27) This is a strong statement on the passing down of authority via baptism. John was, in effect, stating that Jesus received correct authority to baptize…however, that authority (obviously) came from John…this is why Jesus was baptized. John was teaching that his (John’s) baptism was from Heaven and that this new man (Jesus) was also authorized to baptize, not just John.

The Friend of the Bridegroom

28-30 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

(28) John was making very sure that they understood who the Christ was. He had his ‘fans’ and he needed to direct them back to the ‘Lamb of God’ whom he pointed them to.

(29) I believe that this verse speaks about the Bride of Christ. The ‘bride’ is (generically) the church (which is a local, correctly commissioned, called out, assembly of scripturally baptized born-again believers). The ‘bridegroom’ is Jesus Christ. The ‘friend of the bridegroom’ is obviously John the Baptist, and may extend to include all true O.T. saints.

The ‘friend of the bridegroom’ prepared the way for the Groom just prior to the fetching away of the Bride and their wedding ceremony. When the Groom came on the scene, the friend would then be unimportant. John’s joy was brought about by the bride and the bridegroom meeting.

It is very clear (at least to me) that John the Baptist was not part of the ‘bride’. Thus, for all those that believe the Bride of Christ is all the saved, they will need to clarify that at least John wasn’t part of it, and maybe further state that it is only made up of NT saints (during the church age). I firmly believe that the Bride of Christ is made up of all those that were faithful, godly members of one of the Lord’s churches (Baptist, but not all Baptists).

(30) John quickly went off the scene here and soon was in prison, and then soon was beheaded. We need to decrease and let Jesus increase…

Jesus Christ’s Superiority over John

31-36 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

(31) Contrasting Jesus (from above) and John (earthly).

(32) Compare with verse 11.

(34) Jesus Christ had all of the Spirit’s power available to Him. Apparently, we have a certain ‘measure’ of the Spirit’s power (maybe similar to a measure of a spiritual gift level).

(35) At that point, and still today, all things, all power, is in the hands of the Son of God. Someday (at the close of the Millenium), Jesus will give it all back to His Father.

(36) Compare with verse 18. Those that have not ‘believed’ have the wrath of God on them right now…it will reach its apex in Hell and then the Lake of Fire.

John’s Imprisonment

Matt 14:3-5 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. 4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Luke 3:19-20 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

It is probable that God had John speak boldly to Herod so that he then would be taken out of the ‘picture’.

Apparently, Herod was routinely being intimate with his brother Philip’s wife (Herodias; a female version of the name Herod). We need more preachers who have the gumption to preach boldly against the evils of our leaders… though, it may land them in prison, etc..

The Lord’s Departure from Judaea

Matt 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

John 4:1-3 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples

than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) 3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

Jesus Christ would move on to Galilee due to the threat of persecution. This came about by John’s imprisonment and the Jews envy against John changing to envy against Jesus.

John 4

Jacob’s well encounter

4-15 And he must needs go through Samaria.5Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.6Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.7There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.8(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)9Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.11The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?12Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.15The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

(4) It is important for us to be able to detect when the Spirit is saying “you must needs go do this, or go here”.

(6) Jesus’ human body would grow weary. Did He ever experience sore muscles, headaches, or stomach issues? His angels would specially protect Him…

(7) Evangelism: get the conversation started; say something that will make them think…make it provocative.

(8) Why would all the disciples go and leave Jesus all alone?...

(9) There was ‘religious prejudice’ back then. Jesus talked with a woman and Samaritan…very abnormal. Jesus didn’t follow societal norms.

(10) He kept on track with dealing with ‘a drink’. He took the physical and made the spiritual application; and it was quite provocative, indeed.

(12) She gets offended here; responds somewhat like Nicodemus did in John 3.

(14-15) What does this ‘water’ refer to? The Holy Spirit? The truth about Jesus Christ? Eternal life? Jesus made the proposition almost irrefusable (soulwinning strategy).

True worship

16-26 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.17The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:18For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.20Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.21Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

(16-18) Jesus (the greatest soulwinner ever) then brought up ‘the sin issue’; He is subtle about it at first; gets her to think. At some point, we must get real specific about the person’s sins; not just that they are a sinner, but actual sins they have committed. Interestingly, Jesus seems to state here that marriage is not officially binding in His eyes until death; thus, a divorced man who remarries is not the husband of two wives, but just one (i.e. in regards to a man seeking the pastorate).

(19-24) Worship is explained here: can be done anywhere; many people worship in ignorance; it must be in spirit and in truth; the Father wants such to worship Him. The Spirit of God must lead one to it, not one’s flesh/emotions. It must be based on the clear truth of the Bible, not just what one’s church believes or what one thinks is right. I think that a majority of what is called ‘worship’ in ‘churches’ today is far from that. Worship, if not received, is worthless…

(25,26) The O.T. saints understood that Christ (Messiah) would be coming. Jesus here boldly declares His deity!

Samaritan Soulwinner I

27-30 And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?28The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,29Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?30Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

(27) Was Jesus wrong for talking with the woman. Sometimes your Pastor will do things that you ‘question’; it is best to think about it a while and consider the thing prior to speaking your mind.

(28) She probably was saved at this point; and immediately went and told everyone about Jesus.

Jesus’ meat

31-34 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.32But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.33Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

His disciples understood that Jesus hadn’t eaten for quite a while; they were more concerned with the flesh than with the spiritual, here. Couldn’t they figure this out yet that Jesus often would speak in symbolism?... They were just so focused on the physical. Jesus was so focused on the spiritual that He didn’t have much of a need for the physical. As we get starving for food after not eating all day, we should get starving for doing God’s work…

Sowing and reaping

35-38 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.36And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.37And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.38I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.