Sermons by the Monday Club Mark 1:9-10 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.… If we can distinguish between the important and the unimportant in this scene, between the transient and the permanent, we shall not study it in vain. Essential truths do not grow old. 1. Applying this test we find that one of the unessential truths concerning Christ's baptism is its mode. The exact mode could not be reproduced; none of us can have the Jordan ford for our baptismal font. 2. The heavenly phenomena accompanying the baptism are not among its essential features. The accessories cannot, from their very nature, be universal What then were the essential features? I. CHRIST OUR LORD THERE SET FOR US A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF PERFECT OBEDIENCE. Baptism was an ordinance of God; Christ will not exempt Himself from any duty. Why should I be baptized? Because God commands it. Have you less need than Christ? The King of Glory did not despise it as "a mere form of the Church." He received baptism as ratifying the mission of His great forerunner, and He also received it as the beautiful symbol of moral purification and the humble inauguration of a ministry which came "not to destroy the law but to fulfil." II. THAT IT WAS HIS WAY OF PUBLICLY RENOUNCING SIN AND PUBLICLY PROFESSING RELIGION. Christ is our Example as well as Redeemer. Every true follower of Christ must publicly renounce his sins and confess his faith. III. THE EVIDENT APPROVAL OF THE FATHER IN HEAVEN. (Sermons by the Monday Club.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. |
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