The Lamb of God, the Witness, the Baptizer John 1:29-34 p. 978

Recent Events John the Baptist was the voice of one calling in the wilderness, baptizing people in the River Jordan As John baptized Jesus, heaven opened and Holy Spirit descended and remained on Jesus as a dove “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased”

Lamb of God Spoken only by John the Baptist and recorded only by John the apostle Abraham, Isaac and the lamb (Genesis 22) Passover lamb in Egypt (Exodus 12) Lamb offerings (Leviticus 1) Lamb as suffering servant (Isaiah 53)

Lamb of God in New Testament God presented Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood (Romans 3:25) Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7) The precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:19) Sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Hebrews 10:10)

Worship of the Lamb in heaven “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise” (Revelation 5:12)

Creation also waits for the new heaven and earth Creation waits to be liberated from its bondage to decay (Romans 8:21) The Lamb will be in the midst of the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:22) and creation will be restored (Revelation 22)

We believe For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16) This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe (Romans 3:22) God has been gracious to us, and it is by grace we have been saved, through faith (Ephesians 2:8)

The Witness John the Baptist explains himself – he did not know this about Jesus before This is a continuing revelation to John John was learning even as he was faithful to what he did know John realized that the reason he came baptizing with water was that Jesus might be revealed to Israel

Our Calling What is our calling from God? How are we working out our salvation, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13) Like John, our understanding of calling may develop over time, and may change “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream” (C.S. Lewis)

The Baptizer with the Holy Spirit The Spirit of the Lord rested upon Jesus (Isaiah 11:1-2, 42:1, 61:1) In turn, he will baptize with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33) This marks us as belonging to Jesus and begins our renewal that is a daily process

“Chosen One” as in Isaiah 42:1, or Son of God as in John 20:31) God’s Chosen One “Chosen One” as in Isaiah 42:1, or Son of God as in John 20:31) John the Baptist was able to say, with conviction: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit Jesus is God’s Chosen One and the Son of God We have reached the same conviction

We believe the salvation of the Lamb of God for us, we are baptized by the Holy Spirit and we live our calling daily This journey of faith transforms us to join with all creatures of heaven to worship the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world