THE BAPTISM OF JOHN

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Dec 9, 1852

THE BAPTISM OF JOHN.

Whence was it, from Heaven or of men? Matt. xxi, 23-32. From Heaven, because, 1. He bore the Divine credentials. He came to them in 'the way of righteousness;' sought not his own glory. John vii, 18.

2. The fruits of his labors were, as far as they could extend, most beneficent; bad men became good.—Matt. vii, 20.

3. There was in Jehovah's revealed purpose a harbinger of Messiah, 'a voice crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord.' Isa. xl; Mal. iii.

4. The time had come for Messiah to be manifested, consequently there could be no occasion to doubt that his precursor had appeared. The certainty that there could not be a counterfeit 'voice in the wilderness,' or deceitful messenger going before Messiah, at the right time, bearing the Divine credentials, was as absolute as that there was a God, whose providence governs the world. The scribes and priests were noncommittal; they found it convenient not to know—to lie, rather than be cornered in argument. They were reputed wise and devout, yet their case was more hopeless than that of 'publicans and harlots.' They having rejected John and his ministry, could not now believe till they had repented of that sin. Having thus disobeyed God, they could not obey without repenting. But as repentance is the result of conviction, as conviction of guilt is produced by admission of the truth, and as they would lie rather than admit the truth essential to conviction, there was no hope for them.—They could not receive Messiah till they had believed in John's baptism, because, in God's revealed plan, that 'voice' was to introduce Messiah. They were shut up to repentance ere they could advance one step toward the kingdom. This applies to all who assume a wrong position. It is common sense; it is Scripture. From our point of observation, we see that John's Baptism was from Heaven; but to us the admission involves no cross. It is now no test. Then it was a test; though the truth was clear to the eye of faith, it was rejected by nearly all the reputed pious of that age. Thus they were lost, while the repenting publicans were saved. The light beaming from prophecy fulfilled, does not compel assent; never did, however clear it may now seem to us. John's Baptism was regarded about as has been the Second Advent movement; but public expectation not being realized, it was doubted, given up, and finally John himself doubted. Matt. xi, 3. Being disappointed, he doubted.

Let me change the form of inquiry. The Advent Movement, is it from Heaven or of men?

With all the assurance of my soul, I answer, from Heaven.

1. Because the Second Advent is the crowning doctrine of Revelation. Those who announced it, bore the Divine credentials. John vii, 17, 18.

2. They produced by it all the phenomena of piety, all the effects of truth. It separated us from the world.

3. There was to be a movement like this, to introduce the Second Advent, as John's ministry prepared the way at the first. Matt. xxiv, 46-50; Rev. xiv, 6, 7; Hab. ii, 1-4; Matt. xxv, 1-13.

4. The time having come to expect the Lord, it is the exact time for this movement. It did not occur before '43, therefore it must have come to pass since. It is as impossible that such a movement should be counterfeited, at the right time, as that John's Baptism should have been. John came at the crisis of the first, as this has at the crisis of the Second Advent.—It is incredible that the Bible doctrine of Providence be true, and yet such a movement be counterfeited.

Come now, don't be afraid, tell us whether the writing out of the vision, the annunciation of the Judgment, the going out of the most spiritual minded, the tarrying, the midnight cry, the dispersion of the virgin band, and the clamor about the door, is of Heaven, or not? It is not an isolated event, but a series of events, in the exact order of succession represented in Scripture. Don't say that you cannot tell; but be honest.

If it be from Heaven, then the Judgment is right on us. If so, then none of those who have refused faith and obedience can believe till they repent. The prospect of this is less than that of the Jewish priests, by so much as their guilt is greater, it being against greater light.—Advent Testimony.