John 4:1-3
Suggested further reading: 1 Corinthians 1:13-17
We read that `Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples.'
To baptize is not the principal work for which Christian ministers
are ordained. Frequently we read of our Lord preaching and
praying. Once we read of his administering the Lord's Supper. But we
have not a single instance recorded of his ever baptizing anyone.
And here we are distinctly told that it was a subordinate work, which
he left to others. Jesus `himself baptized not, but his disciples'.
The lesson is one of peculiar importance in the present
day. Baptism, as a sacrament ordained by Christ himself, is an
honourable ordinance and ought never to be lightly esteemed in
the churches. It cannot be neglected or despised without great sin.
When rightly used, with faith and prayer, it is calculated to convey
the highest blessings. But baptism was never meant to be exalted
to the position which many nowadays assign to it in religion. It
does not act as a charm. It does not necessarily convey the grace of
the Holy Ghost. The benefit of it depends greatly on the manner
in which it is used. The doctrine taught and the language
employed about it in some quarters are utterly inconsistent with the fact
announced in the text. If baptism was all that some say it is, we
should never have been told that `Jesus himself baptized not'.
Let it be a settled principle in our minds that the first and
chief business of the church of Christ is to preach the gospel. The
words of St Paul ought to be constantly remembered: `Christ sent me
not to baptize, but to preach the gospel' (1 Cor. 1:17). When the
gospel of Christ is faithfully and fully preached we need not fear that
the sacraments will be undervalued. Baptism and the Lord's
Supper will always be most truly reverenced in those churches where
the truth as it is in Jesus is most fully taught and known.
For meditation: The dying thief had nothing but faith in
Christ, but paradise was gained (Luke 23:42-43).
Christ saves, not water.
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