The First Coming of Christ Announced
John 1:19-34
19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “ I am not the Christ.”
21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he *said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”
23 He said, “I am A voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘ Make straight the way of the Lord, ’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.
25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 John answered them saying, “ I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know.
27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”
28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘ After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me. ’
31 I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.”
32 John testified saying, “ I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.
33 I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit. ’
34 I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God
(John 1:19-34 NASB)
Introduction:
Theological Questions
1. Who was John the baptist and what was his role?
2. What did he testify about Jesus?
3. What is the difference between the baptism of John in water and of Jesus in the Holy Spirit?
Practical Questions
1. Why is John’s testimony relevant to us in the church today?
2. How do these baptisms relate to us, if at all?
3. Have you believed John’s testimony about Jesus?
Theme: Two stages of John’s testimony about Jesus so you will believe that He is the Son of God and live according to that belief
I. John’s General Testimony of the Christ (Day 1) vv. 19-28
A. His negative testimony clarifies who he himself was not vv. 19-22
1. The Christ vs. 20
2. Elijah vs. 21a
3. The Prophet vs. 21b
B. His positive testimony clarifies who he himself was vs. 23
1. What his testimony reveals about himself
2. Why his testimony matters to us today
C. His explanation of his ministry clarifies what his role was vv. 24-27
1. The Question vv. 24-25
2. The Answer vv. 26-27
II. John’s Specific Testimony of Jesus (Day 2) vv. 29-34
A. Jesus is the savior of the world vv. 29-30
1. Lamb of God vs. 29
2. Higher rank than John vs. 30
B. Jesus subjected Himself to water baptism vv. 31-33
1. This was the manner of His manifestation to Israel vv. 31-33a
2. This was the mode of His own ministry of the Spirit vs. 33b; cf. vv. 26, 31, 33a
C. Jesus is the Son of God vs. 34
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