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24HourForums.com > The Top 10 Supported Forums > The Christian's Straight and Narrow Path > Bible Study > Bible Study: Matthew Ch 3 |
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DesertRat Forum-Blogger© Pioneer100© Member 
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MATTHEW CHAPTER 3 In Matthew’s story of the Messiah-King, he skipped the next 30 years or so of Jesus’ life. Matthew picked up the story with the introductory ministry of John the Baptist, the “ambassador” of the King. In the Scriptures several men were named John, but only one had the distinguishing name John the Baptist, that is, the Baptizer. While self-imposed proselyte baptism was known to the Jews, John’s baptism was unusual for he was the first person who came baptizing others. The Ministry of John the Baptist] (3:1–12) These verses describe the ministry of John the Baptist, the forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ: it is a ministry that deserves close attention. Few preachers ever produced such effects as John the Baptist: “People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan” (verse 5). No one ever received such praise from the great head of the church: Jesus called him “a lamp that burned and gave light” (John 5:35); the great bishop of souls himself declared that “among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). Let us then study the leading features of his ministry. 1. Sin and Repentance John the Baptist spoke plainly about sin. He taught the absolute necessity of repentance (verse 2) before anyone can be saved; he preached that repentance must be proved by its “fruit” (verse 8); he warned his hearers not to rest on outward privileges, or outward union with the church. We are naturally dead, and blind, and asleep in spiritual things; we are ready to content ourselves with a mere formal religion, and to flatter ourselves that if we go to church we shall be saved: we need to be told that, unless we “repent … and turn to God” (Acts 3:19), we shall all perish. 2. The Lord Jesus Christ John spoke plainly about our Lord Jesus Christ. He taught people that one “more powerful” than himself was coming among them (verse 11). He was nothing more than a servant: the coming one was the King. He himself could only baptize with water: the coming one could “baptize … with the Holy Spirit” (verse 11), would take away sins, and would one day judge the world. We need to be sent direct to Christ: we are all ready to stop short of this; we want to rest in our union with the church, our regular use of the sacraments, and our diligent attendance on an established ministry. We need to be told the absolute necessity of union with Christ himself by faith. He is the appointed fountain of mercy, grace, life, and peace. We must each have personal dealings with him about our souls. What do we know about the Lord Jesus? What have we got from him? These are the questions on which our salvation hinges. 3. The Holy Spirit John the Baptist spoke plainly about the Holy Spirit. He preached that there was such a thing as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He taught that it was the special work of the Lord Jesus to give people this baptism. This again is a teaching which we greatly require. We need to be told that forgiveness of sin is not the only thing necessary for salvation. There is another thing, and that is the baptizing of our hearts by the Holy Spirit. There must not only be the work of Christ for us but the work of the Holy Spirit in us; there must not only be a title to heaven purchased for us by the blood of Christ, but a readiness for heaven wrought in us by the Spirit of Christ. Let us never rest till we know by experience something of the baptism of the Spirit. Baptism in water is a great privilege, but let us see to it that we are also baptized in the Holy Spirit. 4. The Danger of Unbelief John the Baptist spoke plainly about the awful danger of the impenitent and unbelieving. He told his hearers that “wrath” was coming (verse 7); he preached about “unquenchable fire” (verse 12), in which the “chaff” would one day be burned. We need to be warned severely that it is no light matter whether we repent or not; we need to be reminded that there is a hell as well as a heaven, and an everlasting punishment for the wicked as well as everlasting life for the godly. We are fearfully apt to forget this. We talk about the love and mercy of God, and we do not remember sufficiently his justice and holiness. Let us be very careful on this point. It is no real kindness to keep back the terrors of the Lord. It is good for us all to be taught that it is possible to be lost forever, and that all unconverted people are hanging over the brink of the pit. 5. The Safety of Believers Lastly, John the Baptist spoke plainly about the safety of true believers. He taught that there was “a barn” for all who are Christ’s “wheat” (verse 12), and that they would be gathered together there on the day he appears. The best of believers need much encouragement. They are still in the body; they live in a wicked world; they are often tempted by the devil. They ought to be often reminded that Jesus will never leave them or forsake them (Hebrews 13:5). He will guide them safely through this life, and at length give them eternal glory. They will be hidden on the day of wrath; they will be as safe as Noah was in the ark. Let these things sink down deeply into our hearts. We live in a day of much false teaching. Let us never forget the leading features of a faithful ministry. Happy would it have been for the church of Christ if all its ministers had been more like John the Baptist! The Baptism of Christ] (3:13–17) We have here the account of our Lord Jesus Christ’s baptism. This was his first step when he entered on his ministry. When the Jewish priests took up their office they were washed with water (Exodus 29:4), and when our great High Priest begins the great work he came into the world to accomplish he is publicly baptized. 1. The Honor of Baptism First, we should notice in these verses the honor placed on the sacrament of baptism. An ordinance which the Lord Jesus himself took part in is not to be thought of lightly. An ordinance to which the great head of the church submitted should always be held in honor in the eyes of professing Christians. There are few subjects in religion over which greater mistakes have occurred than baptism. There are few which require so much fencing and guarding. Let us arm our minds with two general cautions. Let us beware, on the one hand, that we do not attach a superstitious importance to the water of baptism. We must not expect that water to act as a charm. We must not suppose that all baptized people, as a matter of course, receive the grace of God at the moment that they are baptized. To say that all who come to baptism receive the same benefit, and that it does not matter a jot whether they come with faith and prayer or in utter indifference—to say such things appears to contradict the plainest lessons of Scripture. Let us beware, on the other hand, that we do not dishonor the sacrament of baptism. It is dishonored when it is hastily passed over as a mere form, or thrust out of sight and never publicly noticed in the congregation. A sacrament ordained by Christ himself should not be treated in this way. The admission of every new member into the visible church, whether young or grown up, is an event which ought to excite a keen interest in a Christian congregation. It is an event that ought to call forth the fervent prayers of all praying people. The more deeply we are convinced that baptism and grace are not inseparably tied together, the more we ought to feel bound to join in prayer for a blessing whenever anyone is baptized. 2. The Solemnity of Jesus’ Baptism Second, we should notice in these verses the particularly solemn circumstances which occurred at the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. Such a baptism will never happen again as long as the world stands. We are told about the presence of all three persons of the blessed Trinity. God the Son, revealed in the body, is baptized; God the Spirit descends like a dove, and rests upon him; God the Father speaks from heaven with a voice. In a word, we have the presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit revealed. We may regard this as a public announcement that the work of Christ was the result of the eternal wills of all three persons of the blessed Trinity. It was the whole Trinity which, at the beginning of the creation, said, “Let us make man” (Genesis 1:26); it was the whole Trinity again which, at the beginning of the Gospel, seemed to say, “Let us save man.” We are told of “a voice from heaven” at our Lord’s baptism; “heaven was opened,” and words were heard (verses 16–17). This was a most significant miracle. We read of no voice from heaven before this, except at the giving of the law on Sinai. Both occasions were of particular importance. It therefore seemed good to our Father in heaven to mark both with particular honor. At the introduction both of the Law and Gospel he himself spoke. “God spoke all these words” (Exodus 20:1). How striking and deeply instructive are the Father’s words: “This is my Son, whom I love” (verse 17). He declares, in these words, that Jesus is the divine Saviour, sealed and appointed from all eternity to carry out the work of redemption. He proclaims that he accepts him as the mediator between God and man. He publishes to the world that he is satisfied with him as the propitiation, the substitute, the ransom-payer for the lost family of Adam, and the head of a redeemed people. In him he sees his holy “law great and glorious” (Isaiah 42:21). Through him he can “be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). Let us carefully ponder these words. They are full of rich food for thought; they are full of peace, joy, comfort, and consolation for all who have fled for refuge to the Lord Jesus Christ and committed their souls to him for salvation. Such people may rejoice in the thought that, though in themselves sinful, yet in God’s sight they are counted righteous. The Father regards them as members of his beloved Son. He sees in them no blemish, and for his Son’s sake is “well pleased” (verse 17; see also Ephesians 1:6). [1] [1]Ryle, J. C. (1993). Matthew. Originally published: New York : R. Carter, 1860. The Crossway classic commentaries (13). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books. Last edited on 09-01-2007 04:46 pm by DesertRat |
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1jester Pioneer100© Member  Pilgrim Sojourner
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Beautiful synopsis. I particularly find this thought pertinent in today's world: The best of believers need much encouragement. They are still in the body; they live in a wicked world; they are often tempted by the devil. They ought to be often reminded that Jesus will never leave them or forsake them (Hebrews 13:5). He will guide them safely through this life, and at length give them eternal glory. They will be hidden on the day of wrath; they will be as safe as Noah was in the ark. Let these things sink down deeply into our hearts. We live in a day of much false teaching. Let us never forget the leading features of a faithful ministry. Happy would it have been for the church of Christ if all its ministers had been more like John the Baptist!
 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. -Matthew 22:37-39 |
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24HourForums.com > The Top 10 Supported Forums > The Christian's Straight and Narrow Path > Bible Study > Bible Study: Matthew Ch 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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