J. M. Frost - 1916
As seen in the Ordinances, Baptism and the Supper.
The Doctrine - The Burning Bush (Ex. 3: 13, 14).
The Ordinances - The Baptism of Jesus (Matt. 3:13-17).
CONNECT these incidents with the vision of Jacob's Ladder and the first observance of the Lord's Supper. These lectures throughout must be kept under the shadow of these mighty events in which God was dealing with men, and saying things which he meant should stand for all time.
Like other things which God appoints and sets in order, Baptism and the Supper make him known. We come to the baptism of Jesus with the single aim to learn what it teaches of God, to study God's revelation of himself on that august occasion - remembering, however, that every baptism reproduces largely the scene at the Jordan in spirit and form, in general purpose and resurrection forecast.
The occasion chosen of God for making his Son known - and he becomes known himself. The open heaven - the spoken word. Something like this in every baptism. Wonderful emphasis. Be- lief in the ordinances means belief in God, his being, working power, gracious purpose. God reveals himself in dealing with men, and makes it of record in the Scriptures. To learn of him is basal in all religious thinking, the one vital, fundamental purpose.
Four great events-the vision of Jacob's ladder - the burning bush - the Holy of holies - the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, all serve one sublime purpose in making God known. They have their grading but culminate at the Jordan, and are passed on to us in august and overpowering majesty.
The baptism of Jesus goes beyond the others. In the burning bush we have the words, "I AM THAT I AM." That was the announcement of his self-existence and unity of being. In the baptism of Jesus and in every baptism since we have the three Persons of the Godhead - Father - Son - Holy Spirit. In setting his ordinance for all future time our Lord announced the baptismal formula, baptizing them into the name . . . and, lo, I am with you. Every baptism repeats and gives fresh emphasis to the revelation made at the Jordan.
In that great event God showed himself at work among men, set a new ordinance opening the way for the kingdom - a new regime with God leading the way. John was charged with a new ordinance - he was a man sent of God-sent to baptize. The scene at the Jordan was a convergence under the divine plan and purpose.
John's baptism, was it of heaven or of men? Shows God's purpose to save. This comes to the very heart of these New Testament ceremonies as to their deeper meaning, and is their crowning glory.
This tremendous matter was committed to men. The rite was a heavenly rite charged with mighty moment. Even John himself hesitated before the majesty of his mission - shrank from baptizing Christ even in the fulfillment of what he was sent to do. John held conspicuous place in that august scene - Jesus sought John - came from Nazareth to seek John, the man commissioned of heaven - forerunner of the King and the kingdom.
The administration of the ordinances reveals what God is doing among men and may well awaken a sense of awe. When one baptizes aright there you have in a noble sense a true successor to this first Baptist who himself was sent of God.
This is not said for denominational advantage, nor in the interest of any controversy. The successorship and kinship between our baptism and the baptism of Jesus lies in the thing itself which we are doing here and now-whether it corresponds in spirit, form and purpose.
It is a matter of kinship and character in the ordinances as we keep them.
God was present at the Jordan as he is present in every administration of these ordinances. As at the creation, he saw it was good, so at the Jordan he looked on and was well pleased. The one surest and most emphatic word of these ordinances is their announcement of God's presence. Here we come face to face with God as in Jacob's vision - as in the burning bush - as in the Holy of holies. Their one mighty word - God is now here. The glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord, and the glory of the Lord was upon the scene at the Jordan.
There is no content of person, either in the water or bread or wine, or in the ordinances. It is doctrinal content vs. content of person. Announcement and manifestation of his presence. The doctrinal content is powerful and stirs the soul, as we see through the ordinances and discern their meaning. God makes himself known through symbols.
Jesus with his commanding word at the Jordan - thus it becometh us - opened the way for all who will follow, and our baptism speaks for us what his baptism spoke for him - with the open heaven above us, and God's word of approval. In baptism and the Supper we walk in God's ordinances and serve him, and the glory of the Jordan is upon the scene.
CONCLUSION. - The heavens declare the glory of God - so also the ordinances. Like the stars these ceremonies are without speech - silent eloquence like the music of the spheres. God's memorial unto all generations. Baptism unto baptism uttereth speech - one observance of the Lord's Supper after another showeth knowledge. Their voice is the voice of wisdom and mercy, of love and grace. His glory here outshining all the glory of his handiwork. Here we walk in his ordinances, keep his commandments, and the glory of the Lord is upon our pathway, shining brighter and brighter in the coming glory.