All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
S.O.A.P. #7
Greetings all,
I will continue to try something on TheNET. I would like to see if we can engage in a Bible study using the forums. I hope to simulate a small group setting, but realize that there will be lag time. Here are the parameters that we will work with ... and this is open to everyone.
1) We are attempting to work our way through the gospel of John.
2) We will not tolerate negative comments made about a person or persons.
3) We are using the S.O.A.P. approach which = Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer.
... 3a) Scripture text from the Gospel of John using KJV (no copyright attached)
... 3b)Observations about the particular text. What is being said, what is going on, who is involved and what might be the points being made?
... 3c) Application of the text/teaching to our lives today.
... 3d) Prayer pertaining to that which we have sought to discern.
4) It is appropriate to ask questions along the way.
5) I operating as the facilitator and teacher of this online group/class, but want the open participation of others.
6) At the end of each week (Friday's) I will close the current one and start a new one.
Joh 3:22-36 KJV After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. (23) And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. (24) For John was not yet cast into prison. (25) Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. (26) And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. (27) John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. (28) Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. (29) He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. (30) He must increase, but I must decrease. (31) He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. (32) And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. (33) He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. (34) For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. (35) The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. (36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Richard L. Broch, Sr. on
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Greetings,
One of my favorite verses in the Book of John is 3:30, " He must increase, but I must decrease."
John the Baptist decreased to the point of being imprisoned......and executed.
IMO a new convert to Christ must turn over his/her life to Him.....and let Him be in charge. We are His servants.
What did Jesus offer the twelve who decided to join up with Him? He did not promise any riches, or power and possessions in this life. He told them He would make them fishers of men. They did not realize a bed of roses on the primrose path.
It's interesting....the "promises" I've heard about all the "things" people will receive once they come to Christ as their Lord .
Worldly treasures drown out eternal salvation.
To sum up verse 30 for today: We must let Jesus take over our lives, while losing all of our worldly baggage. Amen.
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Permalink Reply by thewatchman on
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And Amen
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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on
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Richard,
Yes, surrender is one of the main keys in the Christian life.
Lord Bless,
LT
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Permalink Reply by Tammy on
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Mind if I ask what the history was in baptism? It seemed to be a common occurrence with the Israelites & I'm really way to lazy to hook it up myself especially if you already know the answer.
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Permalink Reply by ScribeD on
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The specific term "Baptism" or "baptize" is only used in the New Testament. However, the terms "wash", "cleanse" and "dip" are used many times in the OT. One famous story is how Naaman the Leprous Syrian commander was healed of leprosy by obeying Elisha to dip (or baptize) himself in the Jordan 7 times (2 Kings chapter 5). Dipping and ceremonial cleansing (washing) begins with Moses as a ritual and ceremony.
The meanings are essentially that baptism is a sign of cleansing, dedication, consecration and communion with the divine nature of God. If you take time to search those 5 terms (wash, cleanse, dip, baptize and baptism) in an online or desktop Bible tool you will find a wealth of insights.
I recommend www.Biblegateway.com. I've set up a comparative version study of King James and NIV in this search: http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?version=NIV&search=cleanse...
Understand that the terms are neutral, so they can have either negative or positive connotations. Such as the fact that the Lord said to Moses to tell the people to wash their clothes before coming to the tent of meeting (Ex 19:10) - indicating a cleansing to prepare them to meet God. Or that the brothers of Joseph dipped his coat in goat's blood, indicating a consecration into evil to deceive Jacob and betray Joseph into slavery.
But, the point is you will gain a view of the meanings behind the idea of dipping, cleansing, washing and how those concepts in the Bible pre-figure the meaning behind New Testament baptism as an act of cleansing, dedication, consecration and communion with God.
One fascinating revelation to the meaning of Baptism comes in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4. See this link.http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+10%3A1-4&...
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Thank you Scribe. I also have a LOGOS software program as well. To be honest, I was just down-right lazy & didn't feel like researching so thank you so much for your reply.
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Tammy,
A reasonable, un-crazy question you have asked.........but not easy to answer.
According to several references I consulted, here are some pieces to the puzzle:
Basically, the Jewish community considered immersing in water as a rite of cleansing........Naaman's washing away his skin issue (2 kings 5) ......the Qumran Sect which produced the Dead Sea Scrolls, believed immersion in water as a purifying rite........closer to Jesus's time the Jews started baptizing gentile converts to Judaism, to coincide with circumcision.
John the Baptist immersed repentant sinners who had a change of heart in their lives. (John 1:6, 11).
Then, Jesus came along and instituted Christian Baptism.
If anyone has anything else....please join in.
Grace and Peace.
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Why you think every one of my questions have to be crazy? Because I'm a loon? LOL
The reason I ask is I have wondered for a while how John the Baptist knew to baptize. How did he know that he needed to do that for repentance for the remission of sins? So, I figured somewhere along the line of the Israelites, there must had been some history behind it. Thank you so much for helping this crazy mind of mine understand.
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Permalink Reply by Seek on
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Why you think every one of my questions have to be crazy? Because I'm a loon? LOL
Talk about a loaded question!
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i am fascinated by verse 27: "a man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven..."
In this life we are given opportunities, options, choices, relationships. That is God's gift to us. What we do with them are our gifts back to God.
John didn't know the whole plan. He knew this "...I am not the Christ, but ... I am sent before him."
It seems John had much revelation given to him. He is the first to introduce is to the idea that Christ will be the bridegroom and that the church is his bride (29). The concept is used in metaphor in the OT, but never specifically referenced toward the Messiah. We see Jesus and the Apostles make the reference, but John the Baptist is the first.
To me, this shows that God sometimes gives us pieces of the story. He reveals a portion. He never gives us the whole part in advance. Those who think they know how end times will play out are never right. God asks us to trust Him. We receive enough information to see some things clearly, but He asks us to be patient and faithfully do our part. Not to try to know or control the outcomes. That is not our part.
John was faithful, did his part ...fully and completely, not knowing the whole story; not knowing how things would take place. He did not relent. He did not complain. He did not shrink back. For this, Jesus ranks him among the greatest.
We have to have the same mindset. God has revealed much more to us than He did to John the Baptist. We must be ever so much more faithful to live out our part. The Christian life is not merely about going to church and hearing inspiring messages. It is a privilege to be part of the Kingdom of God, the great redemption story is going on around us every day. We have a part to play. Pray that we all play it faithfully.
Each of us must look at what we have been given from Heaven and do something wonderful with it, to the Glory of God; in obedience to the scriptures. That is our challenge.
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Yes and Amen, Scribe.
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