The Transition
The sermon explores the transition in baptism practices from John the Baptist to Jesus and the implications for the apostles' understanding of the gospel.
G.W. North emphasizes the transition in the understanding of baptism as articulated by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20. He explains that the apostles initially baptized in Jesus' name due to their limited revelation and understanding of the full gospel. North highlights that while Jesus did not baptize directly, His disciples acted in His stead, preaching and baptizing under His authority. The sermon points out that Jesus expanded upon John's ministry, focusing on water baptism for the remission of sins while remaining silent on the baptism of the Spirit at that time. This transition marks a significant development in the apostles' mission and the unfolding of the gospel.
Text
At this point we can scarcely do better than seek to arrive at a correct understanding of the emphatic words spoken so clearly by the Lord Jesus and recorded in Matthew 28:19,20. Until that moment the apostles had only baptised people in the name of the Lord Jesus because that is all they had been able to do. That is to say, when the apostles had gone out preaching and had converted men and women to discipleship of Jesus, they had naturally enough baptised them in Jesus' name. We are told in John 4: 1,2 that although Jesus made and baptised more disciples than John, 'Jesus Himself baptised not, but His disciples'.
No reasonable conclusion may be drawn from these words other than that the disciples baptised in Jesus' name, that is in His presence, and in His stead with His approval, and undoubtedly at His command. When later those same men were sent out to preach, they did so in a heraldic capacity in much the same manner as John before them had done. At that time they, as he, had only limited knowledge, for they did not know the full gospel, and could therefore only preach a limited evangel according to their limited revelation. They were the chosen apostles of the Lord, but at that time Jesus Himself was 'straitened', so He said; consequently neither He nor they could preach the gospel as it is now preached.
As far as baptism is concerned, the Lord stepped in and took over from John Baptist, deliberately continuing the ministry which the prophet received from heaven. Starting where John left off, the Lord took up and enlarged upon his message, administering water baptism for the remission of sins, but remaining significantly quiet about Baptism in the Spirit.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Understanding the Great Commission
- The Role of the Apostles in Baptism
- The Transition from John to Jesus
-
II
- Limited Knowledge of the Apostles
- The Nature of Their Preaching
- The Command of Jesus
-
III
- Jesus' Authority in Baptism
- The Continuation of John's Ministry
- The Significance of Water Baptism
-
IV
- The Unspoken Aspect of Spirit Baptism
- The Expansion of the Gospel Message
- The Importance of Full Revelation
Key Quotes
“Until that moment the apostles had only baptised people in the name of the Lord Jesus because that is all they had been able to do.” — G.W. North
“They were the chosen apostles of the Lord, but at that time Jesus Himself was 'straitened'.” — G.W. North
“The Lord stepped in and took over from John Baptist, deliberately continuing the ministry which the prophet received from heaven.” — G.W. North
Application Points
- Recognize the authority of Jesus in all aspects of ministry and baptism.
- Acknowledge the importance of seeking a full understanding of the gospel.
- Embrace the call to share the message of Jesus with clarity and conviction.