Can I Get a Witness?
John 1:6-8
Pastor Jerry Koller

Up to now, John has referred to Jesus in three ways: the Word, the Life, and the Light of men.

• The verb “sent” always carries intention, authority and accountability between sender and messenger.
• The one sending—God—retains ownership over the mission and message.
• The one sent becomes a representative whose success or failure reflects on the sender.

Regarding John the Baptist

John was sent by God with a mission: to preach

It was John’s baptizing efforts that earned him the title John the Baptist, the one who immerses.

Uniqueness of John’s Baptism:
• Throughout the entire Mosaic Law, throughout the entire Old Testament for that matter, you will not find one record of anyone being "baptized" by someone else. The first recorded instance of water baptism performed by a person on others is when John baptized people in the Jordan River.
• There was nothing efficacious about it (it did not forgive sin nor bestow salvation.)
• To John, it signaled a new spiritual beginning and a commitment to follow God's law.

Regarding Jesus being baptized by John (Matt. 3:13-15): Most scholars agree that one of the primary reasons Jesus came to John to be baptized was to fully identify with us, with humanity. For Jesus to be our sacrifice, He must be like us in every way, yet without sin. Identifying Himself with sinful humanity is an expression of humility. While He did not need to repent, He identified with those who did.
• The meaning of the word “righteousness” in this context had to do with “that which God has commanded.”

The Baptist mentions, in verse 31, that he did not recognize Jesus. That doesn’t mean He had no idea who Jesus was. It is a recognition or understanding of His role as Messiah.

The phrase “He who sent me to baptize in water…” showsJohn was doing that which God has commanded.

What happened when Jesus came up out of the baptismal water is a wonderful picture of the triune God: Father, Son, and Spirit.

In reference to this great man, the Apostle John said

The words witness and testify come from a word group from which we get our English word martyr. Fulfilling God’s calling in his life ended in his death, his martyrhood.

To be absolutely clear regarding John the Baptist, the Apostle said:

After all, John the Baptist did say, “...I am not the Christ.” (John 1:20)

Why mention John the Baptist?
• He mentions John because his calling was to testify to the Light.
• His calling also fulfilled Scripture.

All who are in Christ Jesus has a similar apostolic ministry. We have a message and a mission to carry out. It is a ministry of reconciliation.

Reconciliation means to restore to divine favor. This was accomplished through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

We are to share Jesus with others so that they may be reconciled to God.

mission café
Sundays | 9:00-10:15am | Mission Cafe

worship
Sundays | 10:30am | Sanctuary
• If you're unable to join us in-person, you can watch live on Facebook or view later in the week on Facebook or YouTube or listen to an audio only version on Archive.

children’s worship
Sundays | 10:30am | Children’s Worship Room
• Ages 5 years old through 5th grade
• Does not meet on the first Sunday of each month.
• Contact Alyssa Newell for questions or more information.

men’s bible study
Tuesdays | 7:00-8:30pm | Mission Café
• Contact Paul Fitton or Larry Dobberstein for questions or more information.

church office open
Wednesdays | 11:00am-4:00pm

theology class
Wednesdays | 7:00-8:00pm | Main Foyer
• Closed course.

bible study
Thursdays | 9:30-11:30am | Online
• New study starting soon; open to new participants at any time.
• Contact Tina Wilburn for questions or more information.

women’s craft group
Thursdays | 6:30pm | Craft Room
• Contact Tracy Marshall for questions or more information.

coming soon
• Easter Celebration: 4/5 | Breakfast @ 9:15 | Worship @ 10:30am

• Chet & Renee Goff and their family upon the loss of Renee's grandmother, Freda Menear, on 3/9.
• Maria Saldana (director of So. Haven Childcare) is recovering from surgery.
• Debbie Foskett (Bill Foskett's mother) is scheduled to have a major surgery on 3/24.
• Bobby Jo Williams is asking for prayers for her uncle Jack.
• Bruce Ferguson has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Please pray that upcoming procedure to prevent a urine blockage is successful so he can begin radiation in 8-12 weeks.
• John Seitz has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is scheduled for surgery on 5/11.
• Mike Rooker is continuing outpatient therapy.
• Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com