The Mission of Christ
The Spirit of Prophecy Volume Two
Page 58
John had heard of the sinless character and spotless purity of Christ. His life was in harmony with what the Lord had revealed to him respecting one that was among them whose life was without the taint of sin. John had also seen that he should be the example for every repenting sinner. When Christ presented himself for baptism, John recognized him at once as the superior one revealed to him. He discerned, in the person and deportment of Christ, a character above every other man he had ever seen. The very atmosphere of his presence was holy and awe-inspiring. Although he knew him not as the Messiah, yet never had such a holy influence been realized by John from any one as when in the presence of Christ. He felt the superiority of Christ at once, and shrank from performing the rite of baptism to one whom he knew to be sinless. Many had come to him to receive the baptism of repentance, confessing their sins and crimes; but John could not understand why the only sinless one upon the earth should ask for an ordinance implying guilt, virtually confessing, by the symbol of baptism, pollution to be washed away. He remonstrated with Christ, acknowledging his superiority, and refused to administer the ordinance, saying, "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" With firm and gentle authority Jesus waives the refusal of John and his plea of unworthiness, saying, "Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness."
Christ came not confessing his own sins; but guilt was imputed to him as the sinner's substitute. He came not to repent on his own account; but in behalf of the sinner. As man had transgressed the law of God, Christ was to fulfill every requirement of that law, and thus show perfect obedience. "Lo, I come to do thy will, O God!" Christ honored the ordinance of baptism by submitting to this rite. In this act he identified himself with his people as their representative and head. As their substitute, he takes upon him their sins, numbering himself with the transgressors, taking the steps the sinner is required to take, and doing the work the sinner must do. His life of suffering and patient endurance after his baptism were an example to converted sinners of what they should endure and patiently suffer in consequence of their transgressions and sins John finally yielded to the request of Christ, notwithstanding his feelings of unworthiness to baptize him, and performed the service. He led the Saviour of the world down into the river Jordan in the presence of a large concourse of people, and buried him in the water.
After Christ rose up from the water and from the hand
of John, he walked out to the bank of Jordan, and bowed in the attitude
of prayer. The eyes of John were fastened upon Christ with the deepest
interest and amazement. His heart was stirred with emotion as he looked
upon him thus bowed as a suppliant. Christ's hands were raised upward,
and his gaze seemed to penetrate Heaven. As the believer's example, his
sinless humanity supplicated support and strength from his Heavenly Father,
as he was about to commence his public labors as the Messiah. Jesus poured
out his soul in earnest prayer. A new and important era was opening before
him. His former peaceful, quiet life is to here end. He had been happy
in a life of industry and toil, while fulfilling the duties devolving on
a son. He was an example to those in childhood, youth, and manhood. His
deportment showed that he felt the importance and solemnity of the hour.
He knew that trials, toils, conflicts, sufferings, and death, were in the
path his feet had entered. He felt the weight of the responsibilities he
must bear. He was about to engage in new and arduous duties. A sense of
the sinfulness of men, and the hardness of their hearts, which separated
them from God, convinced him that but few would discern his merciful mission,
and accept the salvation he came from Heaven to bring them.
The Life of Christ
The Youth's Instructor
Date 02-01-74---AT- , No. 11---PR- 08
Dear youth, if you are unbelieving, and feel that nothing
is required of you in repentance, faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour,
and baptism unto his death and resurrection, you have no part with Christ.
You are not adopted into God's family; but remain acknowledged children
of the wicked one. All who live have sins to wash away. They may
have good intentions, and good purposes; they may have noble traits of
character and live moral lives; notwithstanding, they need a Saviour. Jesus
speaks to them as he did to Nicodemus: "Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man
be born when he is old?" Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God." True repentance of sin, faith in the merits of Jesus
Christ, and baptism into his death, to be raised out of the water to live
a new life, are the first steps in the new birth which Christ told Nicodemus
he must experience in order to be saved.
The Spirit of Prophecy Volume Three
Page 332
The descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Gentiles was not
an equivalent for baptism. The requisite steps in conversion, in all
cases, are faith, repentance, and baptism. Thus the true Christian
church are united in one Lord, one faith, one baptism. Diverse temperaments
are modified by sanctifying grace, and the same distinguishing principles
regulate the lives of all. Peter yielded to the entreaties of the believing
Gentiles, and remained with them for a time, preaching Jesus to all the
Gentiles thereabout.
The Acts of the Apostles
Page 269
It was at this time that "a certain Jew named Apollos,
born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, came
to Ephesus." He had heard the preaching of John the Baptist, had received
the baptism of repentance, and was a living witness that the work of the
prophet had not been in vain. The Scripture record of Apollos is that he
"was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit,
he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the
baptism of John."
Child Guidance
Page 499
Parents whose children desire to be baptized have a work
to do, both in self-examination and in giving faithful instruction to their
children.
Baptism is a most sacred and important ordinance, and there
should be a thorough understanding as to its meaning. It means repentance
for sin, and the entrance upon a new life in Christ Jesus. There should
be no undue haste to receive the ordinance. Let both parents and children
count the cost. In consenting to baptism of their children, parents sacredly
pledge themselves to be faithful stewards over these children, to guide
them in their character building. They pledge themselves to guard with
special interest these lambs of the flock, that they may not dishonor the
faith they profess. . . .
Conversion And The New Life
The Faith I Live By
Page 143
Christ as the head of humanity was to take the same
steps that we are required to take. Although sinless, He was our example
in fulfilling all the requirements for the redemption of the sinful race.
He bore the sins of the whole world. His baptism was to embrace the
whole sinful world who by repentance and faith would be pardoned. "After
that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy
he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that
being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the
hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I
will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God
might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable
unto men."
Titus
3:4-8. Man was brought again into favor with God by the washing of
regeneration. The washing was the burial with Christ in the water in
the likeness of His death, representing that all who repent of the transgression
of the law of God receive purification, cleansing, through the work of
the Holy Spirit. Baptism represents true conversion by the renewing of
the Holy Spirit.
Conversion And The New Life
The Faith I Live By
Page 145
Repentance, faith, and baptism are the requisite steps
in conversion. . . . As Christians submit to the solemn rite of baptism,
He registers the vow that they make to be true to Him. This vow is their
oath of allegiance.
Since this is the means by which we are to receive
power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit?
Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concerning it? The Lord
is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents
are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the
Spirit every worker should offer his petition to God. Companies of
Christian workers should gather to ask for special help, for heavenly wisdom,
that they may know how to plan and execute wisely. Especially should they
pray that God will baptize His chosen ambassadors in mission fields with
a rich measure of His Spirit. The presence of the Spirit with God's
workers will give the proclamation of truth a power that not all the honor
or glory of the world could give.
Even your Sanctification
The Signs of the Times
Date 10-11-99
Paragraph 12
We need to pray as we have never prayed before for
the baptism of the Holy Spirit; for if ever there was a time when we needed
this baptism, it is now. There is nothing the Lord has more frequently
told us He would bestow upon us, and nothing He would be more glorified
in bestowing, than the Holy Spirit. When we partake of this Spirit, we
shall be born again. A firm, unwavering faith in God will be manifested.
The Sun of Righteousness will be in our midst, with healing in His wings.
Souls once lost will be found, brought back, and kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation.
The Time and The Work
PH120
Paragraph- 01
Page 16
NONE SHOULD WAIT IN IDLE EXPECTANCY FOR THE BAPTISM OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS GIVEN FOR SERVICE. AS CHURCH-MEMBERS
GO FORTH AT GOD'S BIDDING, THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES TO GIVE EFFICIENCY AND
POWER. "Every truly converted soul will be intensely desirous to bring
others from the darkness of error into the marvelous light of the righteousness
of Christ. The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the
whole earth with his glory, will not come until we have an enlightened
people who know by experience what it means to be laborers together with
God. When we have entire whole-hearted consecration to the service of
Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without
measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are
not laborers together with God." "Review and Herald."
Romans
S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 6
Page 1074
Chapter 6
1-4
(Matt.
28:19; 2
Peter 1:2, 5-7). Baptism a Mutual Pledge. --In baptism we are given
to the Lord as a vessel to be used. Baptism is a most solemn renunciation
of the world. Self is by profession dead to a life of sin. The waters
cover the candidate, and in the presence of the whole heavenly universe
the mutual pledge is made. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit, man is laid in his watery grave, buried with Christ in baptism,
and raised from the water to live the new life of loyalty to God. The three
great powers in heaven are witnesses; they are invisible but present.
Evangelistic Work
Testimonies for the Church Volume Six
Page 98
After Baptism
The vows which we take upon ourselves in baptism embrace
much. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we are buried
in the likeness of Christ's death and raised in the likeness of His resurrection,
and we are to live a new life. Our life is to be bound up with the life
of Christ. Henceforth the believer is to bear in mind that he is dedicated
to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit. He is to make all worldly
considerations secondary to this new relation. Publicly he has declared
that he will no longer live in pride and self-indulgence. He is no longer
to live a careless, indifferent life. He has made a covenant with God.
He has died to the world. He is to live to the Lord, to use for Him all
his entrusted capabilities, never losing the realization that he bears
God's signature, that he is a subject of Christ's kingdom, a partaker of
the divine nature. He is to surrender to God all that he is and all
that he has, employing all his gifts to His name's glory.
Present Opportunities
Testimonies for the Church Volume Eight
Page 22
Why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit,
since this is the means by which we are to receive power? Why do we not
talk of it, pray for it, preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing
to give the Holy Spirit to us than parents are to give good gifts to their
children.
For the baptism of the Spirit every worker should be pleading
with God. Companies should be gathered together to ask for special help,
for heavenly wisdom, that they may know how to plan and execute wisely.
Especially should men pray that God will baptize His missionaries with
the Holy Spirit.
The Truth With Power
Bible Echo and Signs of the Times
Date 03-01-92
Paragraph 06
The Spirit of God, as it comes into the heart by faith,
is the beginning of the life eternal. With the baptism of the Holy
Spirit upon the teacher of truth, he can talk of Christ and him crucified
in language that savors of heaven. The mind and spirit of Christ will be
in him, and he can present the will of God to man because his own heart
has been brought into submission, and has been glorified by the Spirit
of God. The Sun of Righteousness is risen upon him, that he might reflect
its brightness to the world, and he will give evidence in a holy life that
the truth he has received has been a sanctifying principle, and not a mere
theory.
Preparation for Baptism
Manuscript Releases Volume Six
Page 163
After the believing soul has received the ordinance of
baptism, he is to bear in mind that he is dedicated to God, to Christ,
and to the Holy Spirit. These three all cooperate in the great work of
the covenant made by baptism in the sight of the heavenly universe. The
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit receive the believing soul into covenant
relation with God.
Reconversion and Rebaptism
Manuscript Releases Volume Seven
Page 267
It is this baptism of the Holy Spirit that the churches
need today. There are backslidden church members and backslidden ministers
who need re-converting, who need the softening, subduing influence of the
baptism of the Spirit, that they may rise in newness of life and make thorough
work for eternity. I have seen the irreligion and the self-sufficiency
cherished, and I have heard the words spoken, "Except ye repent and be
converted, ye shall never see the kingdom of heaven." There are many
who will need rebaptizing, but let them never go down into the water until
they are dead to sin, cured of selfishness and self-exaltation; until they
can come up out of the water to live a new life unto God. Faith and repentance
are conditions essential to the forgiveness of sin.--Letter 60, 1906,
pp. 4-6. (To S. N. Haskell, February 8, 1906.)
The Righteousness That God Requires
That I May Know Him
Page 114
The baptism of the Holy Spirit will dispel human imaginings,
will break down self-erected barriers, and will cause to cease the feeling
that "I am holier than thou." There will be a humble spirit with all, more
faith and love; self will not be exalted. . . . Christ's spirit, Christ's
example, will be exemplified in His people. We shall follow more closely
the ways and works of Jesus. . . . The love of Jesus will pervade our hearts.
How to Meet a Controverted Point of Doctrine
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald
Date 02-18-90
The light of the glory of God must fall upon us. We need the holy unction from on high. However intelligent, however learned a man may be, he is not qualified to teach unless he has a firm hold on the God of Israel. He who is connected with Heaven will do the works of Christ. By faith in God he will have power to move upon humanity. He will seek for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. If divine power does not combine with human effort, I would not give a straw for all that the greatest man could do. The Holy Spirit is wanting in our work. Nothing frightens me more than to see the spirit of variance manifested by our brethren. We are on dangerous ground when we cannot meet together like Christians, and courteously examine controverted points. I feel like fleeing from the place lest I receive the mold of those who cannot candidly investigate the doctrines of the Bible. Those who cannot impartially examine the evidences of a position that differs from theirs, are not fit to teach in any department of God's cause.
What we need is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without
this, we are no more fitted to go forth to the world than were the disciples
after the crucifixion of their Lord. Jesus knew their destitution,
and told them to tarry in Jerusalem until they should be endowed with power
from on high. Every teacher must be a learner, that his eyes may be anointed
to see the evidences of the advancing truth of God. The beams of the Sun
of Righteousness must shine into his own heart if he would impart light
to others.
Redemption: or the Teachings of Christ, the Anointed
One-
Page 14
This purifying of the temple illustrates the work that
must be accomplished in every one who would secure eternal life. Patiently
Jesus unfolded the plan of salvation to Nicodemus, showing him how the
Holy Spirit brings light and transforming power to every soul that is born
of the Spirit. Like the wind, which is invisible-- yet the effects of which
are plainly seen and felt--is the baptism of the Spirit of God upon the
heart, revealing itself in every action of him who experiences its saving
power.
Not With Outward Show
The Desire of Ages
Page 506
Because of their selfishness and earthliness, even
the disciples of Jesus could not comprehend the spiritual glory which He
sought to reveal unto them. It was not until after Christ's ascension to
His Father, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers, that
the disciples fully appreciated the Saviour's character and mission.
After they had received the baptism of the Spirit, they began to realize
that they had been in the very presence of the Lord of glory. As the sayings
of Christ were brought to their remembrance, their minds were opened to
comprehend the prophecies, and to understand the miracles which He had
wrought. The wonders of His life passed before them, and they were as men
awakened from a dream. They realized that "the Word was made flesh, and
dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten
of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John
1:14. Christ had actually come from God to a sinful world to save the
fallen sons and daughters of Adam. The disciples now seemed, to themselves,
of much less importance than before they realized this. They never wearied
of rehearsing His words and works. His lessons, which they had but dimly
understood, now came to them as a fresh revelation. The Scriptures became
to them a new book.
A Spirit-Filled Life
My Life Today
Page 49
O that the baptism of the Holy Spirit might come upon
you, that you might be imbued with the Spirit of God! Then day by day you
will become more and more conformed to the image of Christ, and in every
action of your life the question would be, "Will it glorify my Master?"
By patient continuance in well-doing you would seek for glory and honor,
and would receive the gift of immortality.
Word Flows Into Messengers' Hearts
S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 4---CN- ZEC8---CT- ----PR-
01
Page 1180
Zech.
4:11-14 quoted. These empty themselves into the golden bowls, which
represent the hearts of the living messengers of God, who bear the Word
of the Lord to the people in warnings and entreaties. The Word itself must
be as represented, the golden oil, emptied from the two olive trees that
stand by the Lord of the whole earth. This is the baptism by the Holy Spirit
with fire. This will open the soul of unbelievers to conviction. The
wants of the soul can be met only by the working of the Holy Spirit of
God. Man can of himself do nothing to satisfy the longings and meet the
aspirations of the heart (MS 109, 1897).
Nicodemus Comes to Christ
The Spirit of Prophecy Volume Two
Page 127
Jesus, with solemn emphasis, repeated, "Verily, verily
I say unto thee, Except a man be born of
the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God."
The words of Jesus could
no longer be misunderstood. His listener well knew
that he referred to water baptism and the grace of God. The power
of the Holy Spirit transforms the entire man. This change constitutes the
new birth.
