A lamb was slaughtered...
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A lamb was slaughtered in remembrance of the escape from Egypt. It was also an emblem of patience, meekness, and suffering. It symbolized a willingness to die for others. It was a fitting symbol for Christ. He was sacrificed for us and our sin.
When John says "before" him, he meant long before and not just birth order. He hadn't seen Jesus since they were each born, though he must have heard his folks mention Mary's visit. He didn't recognize him until that dove sat on Jesus head. Then he was very humbled because it was his job to prepare for his coming! That is what his baptizing was all about.
The symbol in the past of being owned by God was circumcision. Aren't we glad that John and Jesus changed all that? John baptized with water, but Jesus baptized with the Spirit! Yes, there is more than one baptism! There are just different kinds. The New Testament only mentions one: water baptism. We talk about a baptism of suffering but that is different, as is Spirit baptism.
Spirit baptism does not mean you only have it if you speak in tongues. Nothing wrong with that, but it is not a universal symbol. I had the Spirit baptism long before I received the gift of tongues.
This scripture proves that Jesus and John were not working together to make the people accept Jesus. There was no collusion, though John's sole purpose was to proclaim the Messiah.
Some of John's disciples went to follow Jesus after that day but some stayed with John, and this is a mystery. Why didn't they all go to Jesus, and why didn't John send them there? We will never know. It seems like Andrew and maybe the other John had followed John before Jesus invited them to join him. Sometimes Christians may follow a leader who continues to keep them for himself. A pastor in Los Angeles led a whole group from his church down to South America where they all committed suicide. Some are not that bad, but they are proud leaders who worry if some of their people go "over their head" for approval. Sometimes even synod worries.
Peter was called the rock, though he had a few cracks as when he denied Jesus before the crucifixion. Our Roman brothers assumed Peter was appointed to lead his church from that day on. He sure made a lot of mistakes if that were the case.
Andrew amazes me. He knew the Messiah before Peter and invited Peter to join the group, but Andrew is the one left out when Jesus appointed his private group, John and James and Peter. Andrew is the only brother left out. But he still remained with the group. Even if his feelings were hurt, he is still faithful. There is a message here of humble acceptance for all of us.
When John says "before" him, he meant long before and not just birth order. He hadn't seen Jesus since they were each born, though he must have heard his folks mention Mary's visit. He didn't recognize him until that dove sat on Jesus head. Then he was very humbled because it was his job to prepare for his coming! That is what his baptizing was all about.
The symbol in the past of being owned by God was circumcision. Aren't we glad that John and Jesus changed all that? John baptized with water, but Jesus baptized with the Spirit! Yes, there is more than one baptism! There are just different kinds. The New Testament only mentions one: water baptism. We talk about a baptism of suffering but that is different, as is Spirit baptism.
Spirit baptism does not mean you only have it if you speak in tongues. Nothing wrong with that, but it is not a universal symbol. I had the Spirit baptism long before I received the gift of tongues.
This scripture proves that Jesus and John were not working together to make the people accept Jesus. There was no collusion, though John's sole purpose was to proclaim the Messiah.
Some of John's disciples went to follow Jesus after that day but some stayed with John, and this is a mystery. Why didn't they all go to Jesus, and why didn't John send them there? We will never know. It seems like Andrew and maybe the other John had followed John before Jesus invited them to join him. Sometimes Christians may follow a leader who continues to keep them for himself. A pastor in Los Angeles led a whole group from his church down to South America where they all committed suicide. Some are not that bad, but they are proud leaders who worry if some of their people go "over their head" for approval. Sometimes even synod worries.
Peter was called the rock, though he had a few cracks as when he denied Jesus before the crucifixion. Our Roman brothers assumed Peter was appointed to lead his church from that day on. He sure made a lot of mistakes if that were the case.
Andrew amazes me. He knew the Messiah before Peter and invited Peter to join the group, but Andrew is the one left out when Jesus appointed his private group, John and James and Peter. Andrew is the only brother left out. But he still remained with the group. Even if his feelings were hurt, he is still faithful. There is a message here of humble acceptance for all of us.
