PAX Christian Church
John 1:19-34 | PAX Christian Church (04/14/2024)
PAX Christian Church is a non-denominational church in the Carson Valley of western Nevada.
Locations & Times
PAX Christian Church
1267 U.S. Hwy 395 N, Gardnerville, NV 89410, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
WELCOME
We are so glad you joined us today. Pax is a non-denominational church that exists to live and share the gospel of peace. (Romans 5:1-11)
Our vision is that everyone would find peace with God through Jesus Christ and become peacemakers who advance the kingdom of God.
PEACE WITH GOD. FOR EVERYONE. THROUGH CHRIST.
Our Mission is to: LIVE AND SHARE THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.
Our vision is that everyone would find peace with God through Jesus Christ and become peacemakers who advance the kingdom of God.
PEACE WITH GOD. FOR EVERYONE. THROUGH CHRIST.
Our Mission is to: LIVE AND SHARE THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
📖 PAX 2024 READING PLAN 📖
Have you ever read the whole bible? Join us in reading the Bible chronologically this year.
Just text the word BIBLE to 833-271-8947
Have you ever read the whole bible? Join us in reading the Bible chronologically this year.
Just text the word BIBLE to 833-271-8947
2024 PAX CAMPING TRIP JUNE 21-23
Our Annual Church Camping Trip will be June 21st-23rd @ Topaz Lake.
Join Us as we fellowship together at the beach, in the water and sunshine, kayaking, paddle boarding, and gathering together around the fire pit for worship at the end of each day.
This trip is for all ages and stages!
The cost is $85 per person—Sign up in April and get the early bird price of $75 per person.
Join Us as we fellowship together at the beach, in the water and sunshine, kayaking, paddle boarding, and gathering together around the fire pit for worship at the end of each day.
This trip is for all ages and stages!
The cost is $85 per person—Sign up in April and get the early bird price of $75 per person.
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN: 1:19-34 (John the Baptist's testimony of Christ)
3 questions to explore:
1: Who is John the Baptist and what is he doing?
2: What does he say about Jesus?
3: So what? What do we need to do with this?
3 questions to explore:
1: Who is John the Baptist and what is he doing?
2: What does he say about Jesus?
3: So what? What do we need to do with this?
John the Baptist has the same message as the entire Gospel of John the Disciple: Jesus is God; Jesus is the Messiah/Christ and Savior.
The Gospel of John was written so that others would know the truth that Jesus was fully human and fully God.
This is the reason John the disciple gives for writing this Gospel down:
The Gospel of John was written so that others would know the truth that Jesus was fully human and fully God.
This is the reason John the disciple gives for writing this Gospel down:
John the Disciple wrote this Gospel so all who read or hear it would know that Jesus is Messiah, God, and Savior.
John the Baptist gives similar testimony, and it goes like this:
John the Baptist gives similar testimony, and it goes like this:
Jesus is:
The Messiah.
The Son of God.
The Savior (by believing in Him you have life)
The Messiah.
The Son of God.
The Savior (by believing in Him you have life)
John the Baptist denies he is the Messiah.
Because Jesus is the Messiah.
Messiah (HEB) = Christ (GK) =
Χριστός Christós, khris-tos'; from G5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:—Christ. (Strong's)
(Blueletterbible.org)
Anointing was about God's blessing and gifting over someone, often a king.
The Messiah is the ultimate savior King.
Because Jesus is the Messiah.
Messiah (HEB) = Christ (GK) =
Χριστός Christós, khris-tos'; from G5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:—Christ. (Strong's)
(Blueletterbible.org)
Anointing was about God's blessing and gifting over someone, often a king.
The Messiah is the ultimate savior King.
Elijah was taken up to heaven and did not die.
But 400 years later, Malachi prophesies this:
But 400 years later, Malachi prophesies this:
AND JESUS SAYS THAT JOHN IS STANDING IN THE PLACE AND MINISTRY OF ELIJAH:
"Are you The Prophet?"
"No."
From Deuteronomy:
"No."
From Deuteronomy:
In a way, John the Baptist fulfills both of these roles. And at the same time, he isn't specifically either of them.
John claims to be "the voice calling in the wilderness"
John claims to be "the voice calling in the wilderness"
John the Baptist is declaring the imminent arrival and mission of the Messiah. Fulfilling multiple OT prophecies.
Jesus testifies to the power and quality and anointing of his message.
We should pay attention to what John says about Jesus.
Jesus testifies to the power and quality and anointing of his message.
We should pay attention to what John says about Jesus.
John is merely baptizing people in water... but he's pointing to the ONE who is to come. And he is calling people to repent and turn to God in preparation to receive Jesus.
"after me..." John's ministry starts before Jesus' public ministry, and makes the way for it.
"the straps of whose sandals..." Jesus is so great (he is GOD) that John recognizes he himself is unworthy to even bow at Jesus' feet to serve him by removing his shoes (one of the lowest servant tasks).
"after me..." John's ministry starts before Jesus' public ministry, and makes the way for it.
"the straps of whose sandals..." Jesus is so great (he is GOD) that John recognizes he himself is unworthy to even bow at Jesus' feet to serve him by removing his shoes (one of the lowest servant tasks).
This seems to have taken place after the Baptism of Jesus AND after the Temptation of Christ in the wilderness (Matthew 4; Luke 4).
"the Lamb of God..." often used of Jesus throughout the NT.
"...who takes away the sin of the world!" brings up the OT sacrifices, including Passover, sin sacrifice, and scapegoat. Also brings to mind Isaiah's suffering servant:
"the Lamb of God..." often used of Jesus throughout the NT.
"...who takes away the sin of the world!" brings up the OT sacrifices, including Passover, sin sacrifice, and scapegoat. Also brings to mind Isaiah's suffering servant:
John is Jesus' cousin (Luke 1), but John did not know (or didn't have direct word from the LORD) that Jesus was the one the LORD had told him was coming until he saw the sign he describes next:
The TRINITY.
The word is never found in scripture.
But just like the divinity of Christ, it's woven throughout the text.
Trinity
A description of the God of Christian Scripture, revealed and understood as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; a fundamental doctrine of Christian theology.
Introduction
The word Trinity does not appear in the Bible. However, the doctrine is based on several emphatic assertions that are found throughout the biblical writings:
1.There is only one God (Deut 6:4; Isa 43:10; 46:9; Rom 3:30; 1 Cor 8:4; Jas 2:19).
2.The one whom Jesus called “Father” (John 6:27; 1 Cor 8:6), the incarnate Son (Matt 1:23; John 1:1; Rom 9:5; Col 2:9; Titus 2:13–14; Heb 1:1–3), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4; 28:25–27; 2 Cor 3:7–18) all possess the necessary attributes of this God.
3.These three are not identical; they interact with one another and their identities are constituted with respect to one another (Matt 3:16–17; 12:32; 17:5; Luke 3:21–22; 4:1; John 15:26; 16:7–16; 2 Cor 13:14). They act distinctly but in concert with one another (Gen 1:1–3; John 1:1–3; 2 Cor 4:6; Col 1:15–17; Heb 1:2–3).
Charles Meeks, “Trinity,”The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
WARNING: ANALOGIES TO DESCRIBE THE TRINITY ALMOST ALWAYS LEAD TO HERESY. BEST TO AVOID THEM.
Common heresies and analogies:
(Note: there's a very funny, and mildly inappropriate, video on this on YouTube called "St. Patrick's Bad Analogies" from which several of these specific references are pulled):
Modalism: the belief that the One God appears in different forms or "modes" at different times: Father in heaven, Son on earth, Spirit moving in the lives of believers.
HERESY condemned at Council of Constantinople in 381 AD.
Modalistic analogies: water as liquid, solid, or vapor; man as father, son, employer/worker/friend; body, soul, spirit; etc.
Arianism: heresy named after Arius, who taught that Jesus and the Holy Spirit were created by the Father and come from Him.
HERESY condemned at Council of Nicea in 325 AD.
Arian analogies: The Sun: star, light, and heat;
Partialism: heresy that claims each member of the Trinity is fully God, but not the fullness of God. Claims that each is 1/3, or some other incomplete part of God, on their own. This is a complicated and nuanced concept that can stem from faithful biblical observation, but easily leads to heretical ideas of God.
Partialistic analogies: Egg: yolk, white, shell; Apple: skin, flesh, core; 3-leaf clover; Voltron;
*************
Excerpt from the Athanasian Creed:
Now this is the catholic faith:
That we worship one God in trinity and the trinity in unity,
neither blending their persons
nor dividing their essence.
For the person of the Father is a distinct person,
the person of the Son is another,
and that of the Holy Spirit still another.
But the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one,
their glory equal, their majesty coeternal.
The word is never found in scripture.
But just like the divinity of Christ, it's woven throughout the text.
Trinity
A description of the God of Christian Scripture, revealed and understood as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; a fundamental doctrine of Christian theology.
Introduction
The word Trinity does not appear in the Bible. However, the doctrine is based on several emphatic assertions that are found throughout the biblical writings:
1.There is only one God (Deut 6:4; Isa 43:10; 46:9; Rom 3:30; 1 Cor 8:4; Jas 2:19).
2.The one whom Jesus called “Father” (John 6:27; 1 Cor 8:6), the incarnate Son (Matt 1:23; John 1:1; Rom 9:5; Col 2:9; Titus 2:13–14; Heb 1:1–3), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4; 28:25–27; 2 Cor 3:7–18) all possess the necessary attributes of this God.
3.These three are not identical; they interact with one another and their identities are constituted with respect to one another (Matt 3:16–17; 12:32; 17:5; Luke 3:21–22; 4:1; John 15:26; 16:7–16; 2 Cor 13:14). They act distinctly but in concert with one another (Gen 1:1–3; John 1:1–3; 2 Cor 4:6; Col 1:15–17; Heb 1:2–3).
Charles Meeks, “Trinity,”The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
WARNING: ANALOGIES TO DESCRIBE THE TRINITY ALMOST ALWAYS LEAD TO HERESY. BEST TO AVOID THEM.
Common heresies and analogies:
(Note: there's a very funny, and mildly inappropriate, video on this on YouTube called "St. Patrick's Bad Analogies" from which several of these specific references are pulled):
Modalism: the belief that the One God appears in different forms or "modes" at different times: Father in heaven, Son on earth, Spirit moving in the lives of believers.
HERESY condemned at Council of Constantinople in 381 AD.
Modalistic analogies: water as liquid, solid, or vapor; man as father, son, employer/worker/friend; body, soul, spirit; etc.
Arianism: heresy named after Arius, who taught that Jesus and the Holy Spirit were created by the Father and come from Him.
HERESY condemned at Council of Nicea in 325 AD.
Arian analogies: The Sun: star, light, and heat;
Partialism: heresy that claims each member of the Trinity is fully God, but not the fullness of God. Claims that each is 1/3, or some other incomplete part of God, on their own. This is a complicated and nuanced concept that can stem from faithful biblical observation, but easily leads to heretical ideas of God.
Partialistic analogies: Egg: yolk, white, shell; Apple: skin, flesh, core; 3-leaf clover; Voltron;
*************
Excerpt from the Athanasian Creed:
Now this is the catholic faith:
That we worship one God in trinity and the trinity in unity,
neither blending their persons
nor dividing their essence.
For the person of the Father is a distinct person,
the person of the Son is another,
and that of the Holy Spirit still another.
But the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one,
their glory equal, their majesty coeternal.
Image source: The Gospel Coalition
The Athanasian Creed
(note: "catholic" means "universal" and with a lowercase c to start the word just means all christians, and is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church)
Whoever desires to be saved should above all hold to the catholic faith.
Anyone who does not keep it whole and unbroken will doubtless perish eternally.
Now this is the catholic faith:
That we worship one God in trinity and the trinity in unity,
neither blending their persons
nor dividing their essence.
For the person of the Father is a distinct person,
the person of the Son is another,
and that of the Holy Spirit still another.
But the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one,
their glory equal, their majesty coeternal.
What quality the Father has, the Son has, and the Holy Spirit has.
The Father is uncreated,
the Son is uncreated,
the Holy Spirit is uncreated.
The Father is immeasurable,
the Son is immeasurable,
the Holy Spirit is immeasurable.
The Father is eternal,
the Son is eternal,
the Holy Spirit is eternal.
And yet there are not three eternal beings;
there is but one eternal being.
So too there are not three uncreated or immeasurable beings;
there is but one uncreated and immeasurable being.
Similarly, the Father is almighty,
the Son is almighty,
the Holy Spirit is almighty.
Yet there are not three almighty beings;
there is but one almighty being.
Thus the Father is God,
the Son is God,
the Holy Spirit is God.
Yet there are not three gods;
there is but one God.
Thus the Father is Lord,
the Son is Lord,
the Holy Spirit is Lord.
Yet there are not three lords;
there is but one Lord.
Just as Christian truth compels us
to confess each person individually
as both God and Lord,
so catholic religion forbids us
to say that there are three gods or lords.
The Father was neither made nor created nor begotten from anyone.
The Son was neither made nor created;
he was begotten from the Father alone.
The Holy Spirit was neither made nor created nor begotten;
he proceeds from the Father and the Son.
Accordingly there is one Father, not three fathers;
there is one Son, not three sons;
there is one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits.
Nothing in this trinity is before or after,
nothing is greater or smaller;
in their entirety the three persons
are coeternal and coequal with each other.
So in everything, as was said earlier,
we must worship their trinity in their unity
and their unity in their trinity.
Anyone then who desires to be saved
should think thus about the trinity.
But it is necessary for eternal salvation
that one also believe in the incarnation
of our Lord Jesus Christ faithfully.
Now this is the true faith:
That we believe and confess
that our Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son,
is both God and human, equally.
He is God from the essence of the Father,
begotten before time;
and he is human from the essence of his mother,
born in time;
completely God, completely human,
with a rational soul and human flesh;
equal to the Father as regards divinity,
less than the Father as regards humanity.
Although he is God and human,
yet Christ is not two, but one.
He is one, however,
not by his divinity being turned into flesh,
but by God's taking humanity to himself.
He is one,
certainly not by the blending of his essence,
but by the unity of his person.
For just as one human is both rational soul and flesh,
so too the one Christ is both God and human.
He suffered for our salvation;
he descended to hell;
he arose from the dead;
he ascended to heaven;
he is seated at the Father's right hand;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
At his coming all people will arise bodily
and give an accounting of their own deeds.
Those who have done good will enter eternal life,
and those who have done evil will enter eternal fire.
This is the catholic faith:
one cannot be saved without believing it firmly and faithfully.
Whoever desires to be saved should above all hold to the catholic faith.
Anyone who does not keep it whole and unbroken will doubtless perish eternally.
Now this is the catholic faith:
That we worship one God in trinity and the trinity in unity,
neither blending their persons
nor dividing their essence.
For the person of the Father is a distinct person,
the person of the Son is another,
and that of the Holy Spirit still another.
But the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one,
their glory equal, their majesty coeternal.
What quality the Father has, the Son has, and the Holy Spirit has.
The Father is uncreated,
the Son is uncreated,
the Holy Spirit is uncreated.
The Father is immeasurable,
the Son is immeasurable,
the Holy Spirit is immeasurable.
The Father is eternal,
the Son is eternal,
the Holy Spirit is eternal.
And yet there are not three eternal beings;
there is but one eternal being.
So too there are not three uncreated or immeasurable beings;
there is but one uncreated and immeasurable being.
Similarly, the Father is almighty,
the Son is almighty,
the Holy Spirit is almighty.
Yet there are not three almighty beings;
there is but one almighty being.
Thus the Father is God,
the Son is God,
the Holy Spirit is God.
Yet there are not three gods;
there is but one God.
Thus the Father is Lord,
the Son is Lord,
the Holy Spirit is Lord.
Yet there are not three lords;
there is but one Lord.
Just as Christian truth compels us
to confess each person individually
as both God and Lord,
so catholic religion forbids us
to say that there are three gods or lords.
The Father was neither made nor created nor begotten from anyone.
The Son was neither made nor created;
he was begotten from the Father alone.
The Holy Spirit was neither made nor created nor begotten;
he proceeds from the Father and the Son.
Accordingly there is one Father, not three fathers;
there is one Son, not three sons;
there is one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits.
Nothing in this trinity is before or after,
nothing is greater or smaller;
in their entirety the three persons
are coeternal and coequal with each other.
So in everything, as was said earlier,
we must worship their trinity in their unity
and their unity in their trinity.
Anyone then who desires to be saved
should think thus about the trinity.
But it is necessary for eternal salvation
that one also believe in the incarnation
of our Lord Jesus Christ faithfully.
Now this is the true faith:
That we believe and confess
that our Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son,
is both God and human, equally.
He is God from the essence of the Father,
begotten before time;
and he is human from the essence of his mother,
born in time;
completely God, completely human,
with a rational soul and human flesh;
equal to the Father as regards divinity,
less than the Father as regards humanity.
Although he is God and human,
yet Christ is not two, but one.
He is one, however,
not by his divinity being turned into flesh,
but by God's taking humanity to himself.
He is one,
certainly not by the blending of his essence,
but by the unity of his person.
For just as one human is both rational soul and flesh,
so too the one Christ is both God and human.
He suffered for our salvation;
he descended to hell;
he arose from the dead;
he ascended to heaven;
he is seated at the Father's right hand;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
At his coming all people will arise bodily
and give an accounting of their own deeds.
Those who have done good will enter eternal life,
and those who have done evil will enter eternal fire.
This is the catholic faith:
one cannot be saved without believing it firmly and faithfully.
JESUS IS:
Messiah
Savior
Lord
God
WHAT IS YOUR LORD CALLING YOU TO DO TODAY?
Messiah
Savior
Lord
God
WHAT IS YOUR LORD CALLING YOU TO DO TODAY?
For further study: BibleStudyTools.com
Here's a list of pretty good resources for further study on the Trinity.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?s=studies&q=trinityCOMMUNION
We believe in an open communion, and would like to invite anyone who has professed faith in Jesus to participate with us this morning.
Communion elements will be made available at the close of service at the front of the room, please wait to come forward until we have prayed for communion.
The bread represents the body of Christ.
The juice/cup represents the blood of Christ.
Communion elements will be made available at the close of service at the front of the room, please wait to come forward until we have prayed for communion.
The bread represents the body of Christ.
The juice/cup represents the blood of Christ.
COMMUNION: REMEMBERING WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR US ON THE CROSS, AND EXPERIENCING HIS PRESENCE TODAY.
COMMUNION: REMEMBERING WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR US ON THE CROSS, AND EXPERIENCING HIS PRESENCE TODAY.
BAPTISM
Are you ready to be baptized? In the Bible, when people come to faith in Christ, and they ask "what do I do now?" the answer is consistently baptism. In baptism, we identify with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection as we lay down our lives in the water, and come to new life in Christ. If you believe Jesus is Lord and are ready to make that declaration in your life, sign up and we would love to baptize you.
https://paxchristian.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1129271Connect with PAX
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