INTRODUCTION

Scriptural baptism is no part of the gospel [I Corinthians 1:17], but is a picture of the gospel [compare I Corinthians 15:1-4 with Romans 6:3-5]. The fact that Jesus was baptized is sufficient refutation of the heretical notion that baptism literally washes away sins; the fact that He was baptized by a Baptist preacher provides what should be a compelling example for all who profess to be His disciples.

Baptists departing from New Testament faith are forfeiting their right to be called Baptists, just as modernistic religionists who deny the deity of Christ and the authority of His written Word have forfeited their right to be called Christians.

Here is a good lesson in the fundamentals of New Testament Christianity. The world needs the message of the first Baptist -- the message which Baptist churches, by God's grace, have preserved for nearly 2,000 years. For an outline of the lesson we may note:

1. Prophecy, Mark 1:1-3. 
a. Baptist beginning, 1. 
b. Baptist background, 2-3. 

2. Preacher, Mark 1:4-6. 
a. Baptist action, 4. 
b. Baptist attraction, 5. 
c. Baptist ascetic, 6. 

3. Preparation, Mark 1:7-8. 
a. Baptist enlistment, 7. 
b. Baptist empowerment, 8. 

4. Pleasure, Mark 1:9-11. 
a. Baptist ordinance, 9. 
b. Baptist orthodoxy, 10-11. 

5. Preaching, Mark 1:12-15. 
a. Baptist battles, 12-13. 
b. Baptist benevolence, 14-1.5. 

NOTES ON THE TEXT:

PROPHECY, Mark 1:1-3.

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" [Amos 3:7]. Throughout the Old Testament we find a chorus of prophecy pointing to the great Messiah, the promised Redeemer of His people. Mark, like the other gospel writers, reminds us that the events they record are fulfillments of prophecy.

Baptist Beginning, 1.

Although the gospel was preached before to Abraham [Galatians 3:8], yet in the sense of general public proclamation Mark tells us plainly that "the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" was the preaching of John the Baptist.

Baptist Background, 2-3.

Consistent and honest Biblical interpretation demands that we see a harmonious connection between the Old and New Testaments. It has been well said that the "New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed." Ignorance or disbelief of the Old Testament sorely limits our understanding and appreciation of the New Testament. Baptists believe the whole Book, and delight in the bright hope of gospel revelation against the darker background of Old Testament history, law and prophecy.

PREACHER, Mark 1:4-6.

Here is the Baptist preacher of whom Jesus declared: "Among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist" [Luke 7:28].

Further words of praise seem hardly necessary.

Baptist Action, 4.

Baptists baptize, as John did; and their baptism, like John's, is only for sinners who have repented and obtained remission of sins. John demanded evidence of repentance and salvation be.fore baptism. See Luke 3:7-14.

Baptist Attraction, 5.

Even granting that Mark's statement is hyperbole, it is evident that great numbers of people were attracted to John's preaching and baptism. Moreover, they were attracted by the simple and sincere ministry OT the Word of God, not by gadgets and gimmicks.

Baptist Ascetic, 6.

John's asceticism may have helped to convince people of his sincerity: he obviously was not enriching himself at the expense of the people to whom he ministered. Yet such extreme austerity is not essential to the Baptist message: on the contrary, Jesus Himself "came eating and drinking" [Matthew 11:19]. John's cheap clothing and simple diet may have been incidental, but they were certainly appropriate to a messenger whose only mission was to point men to a Master greater than himself.

PREPARATION, Mark 1:7-8.

Remember that John's mission, and the mission to which he called others, was to "prepare the way of the Lord" [verses 2-3]. Too many Baptists, not to mention anyone else, are so busy going their own way that they have little concern for "the way of the Lord."

Baptist Enlistment, 7.

Vital to effective enlistment under the banner of Christ is a proper personal humility in the constant awareness of "One mightier." Like John, though we are servants of the King of kings, let us remember that we are most unworthy servants.

Baptist Empowering, 8.

Individual Baptists have been baptized in water with the one baptism [Ephesians 4:5] initiated by John; the Baptist church as an institution was baptized by its Head, not in water but in the Holy Ghost, at Pentecost, and was thus empowered to carry on His work. Though God is everywhere, His presence in a true New Testament church means more than His presence anywhere else on earth. See I Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:22. We cannot be robbed of this historic empowering by the modern faking of spiritual gifts by heretics.

PLEASURE, Mark 1:9-11.

Different people find pleasure in different things. Children of God must learn to find pleasure in the things that please God. These divine pleasures will endure; the pleasures of this world soon pass away.

Baptist Ordinance, 9.

Evidently it was important to Jesus to have Baptist baptism, and so to set a good example for His people in this as in other matters. He made a journey of some 40 to 60 miles to get baptized by the first Baptist.

Baptist Orthodoxy, 10-11.

At this baptism the Trinity was recognized: God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and God the Father manifested their presence and pleasure in this great event. So Jesus commanded His church to continue the ordinance of baptism "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" Matthew 28:19].

PREACHING, Mark 1:12-15.

Where there is Scriptural baptism there must be Scriptural preaching. A mere outward form of baptism cannot be Scriptural if it is accompanied by false doctrine. Note that John and Jesus, Peter and Paul, preached the same gospel and administered the same baptism.

Baptist Battles, 12-13.

Like their great Teacher and Example, true disciples are led by the Spirit into the wilderness of this world to confront and overcome temptations. Of course our temptations are small compared to His, though they seem great to us; we overcome because He overcame [r John 5:4]; and though we see them not, we too enjoy the ministry of angels [Hebrews 1:14].

Baptist Benevolence, Mark 1:14-15.

"Preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God" is one summation of the mission of Christ, as it also sums up the mission of John and of all true New Testament churches. This is the best Baptist benevolence: social and material needs are trifling compared with the need of lost souls to hear the gospel.

Note the insistent and consistent demand of God's Word: "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." Those who say "believe and repent" are blind leaders of the blind; in the Bible it is always "repent and believe." Sinners are naturally in a state of unbelief; they must repent (that is, change their minds) and believe the gospel in order to be saved.

CONCLUSION [Isaiah 11:2]

One Holy Spirit is here given seven descriptive names. This seven-fold Spirit in all His fullness rested upon the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ. "God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" [John 3:34]. But every believer in Christ [John 7:37-39] can be filled with the same Spirit [Ephesians 5:18] to the limit of his individual capacity, and this capacity can grow [II Peter 3:18].
===============

[From Ashland Avenue Baptist paper, January 7 1977, pp. 2-3. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

---

More NT Lessons
Baptist History Homepage