John the apostle wrote how, “this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elias? And he said, I am not. Are you that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say you of yourself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-five of his book, John shared how the Pharisees ask John the Baptist, “why do you baptize then, if you are not that Christ?” where we read:
And they asked him, and said unto him, Why do you baptize then,
if you be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
The verse reads, “And they asked him, and said unto him, Why do you baptize then, ...” John began with the words, “and they asked him” which means “and the priests and Levites inquired of and questioned John the Baptist”, “and said unto him” which means “and uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked John the Baptist”, “Why do you baptize then” or “for what reason and cause do you, John the Baptist, dip repeatedly, immerse and submerge people to make them clean therefore, consequently and accordingly”. John shared how the “priests and Levites” wanted to know the “reason” “John the Baptist” “submerged and immersed” people to make them clean.
The verse goes on to say, “... if you be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?” John continued with the words, “if you be not that Christ” which means “whether you, John the Baptist, do not exist as the anointed one, the Messiah and the Son of God which was prophesied”, “nor Elias” or “no and not in any way Elijah”, “neither that prophet” which means “nor the one who was moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, and solemnly declared to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”? John shared how the “religious leaders” wanted to know why John the Baptist baptized people if he wasn't “Christ, Elijah or the prophet” who was to appear before the coming of the Messiah.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we see how the “religious leaders” dispatched by the “Pharisees” wanted to know the reason John the Baptist was “submerging and immersing” people to be made clean if he was not “the Christ, Elijah or the prophet” who gave the “prophesy” concerning Jesus coming. God knew His plan of salvation for mankind, and He was implementing every aspect of it. John the Baptist was to “set the stage” for the “Messiah's appearance”, and when he was questioned by the religious leaders, because they were unbelievers, they would never be satisfied with John the Baptist's answer. God saves people in spite of those who are in opposition to His Son Jesus, and only those who put their faith and trust in Him will be saved.
Next time John shares how the Pharisees ask John the Baptist, “I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you know not”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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