<TITLE>08. Par 77-85</TITLE>L-77 Our heavenly Father, we are grateful. Why You wanted me to have those things, I guess, Lord, You was just encouraging me, knowing that there was a shock coming. I don't know; Thou does know. And I know I'm no more a boy. I'm not the little boy that used to hang onto mama's apron. And I'm a middle-aged man now. But oh, how I love You, Lord, how I believe You. Give us grace now. Help us to teach Thy Word, that others might see and learn and know of Thee. We ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

L-78 For a text this morning... I think that's all I had to... Well, services tonight, communion, feet-washing, so forth, that's all. I've invited you to stay and be with us. But for our text this morning, let us turn over in the Bible to St. Matthew the 3rd chapter to read a portion of the Scriptures. I want to begin at the 10th verse of the 3rd chapter of St. Matthew.

L-79 And I know there's many standing, and we hate for that; but if some of you will change off with them, once in a while. I... Excuse me, for me taking my time, but I... You understand. Now, the Scripture reading...
... now also the axe is laid unto the root of the tree: therefore every tree which bringeth forth not good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I'm not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Whose fan is in his hand... he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Then cometh Jesus of Galilee to Jordan... to be baptized of him.
But John forbid him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou unto me?
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. And he suffered him.
I would like to take the text from that word there in the 15th verse.
Suffer it to be so now: for thus it is becoming to us to fulfil all righteousness.

L-81 Often times I have wondered why that--that Jesus of Nazareth... And many times it's been asked me. Why would a Man like Jesus have to be baptized? Why would this Person be baptized as an act of repentance and of confession, when He was the holy, spotless, unadulterated Son of the living God? Why would this Person have to be baptized like a man coming... Baptism is after confession. He had no confessions to make, because He was God. And He, why would He have to be baptized like He had unto repentance, because He needed no repentance, for He was the infallible God? "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not." Why would He have to be baptized?

L-82 And did you notice the phrase before that said:
... thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.
In other words, "It must be fulfilled. All the Word that God has spoken, It must be fulfilled." God cannot say anything without having it fulfilled. When He has spoken It, it is a finished work. It's already finished when God speaks It. God never speaks until He's ready for it to be; and, when He speaks, it's just as well as already happened.
Now, if that wouldn't give us a basis to put our faith on this morning. When God speaks a Word, it's already finished. And what about His promises that He's given to us? Everything that He has said, it's already a finished work. So therefore, when we receive His Word into our heart, it's--it's already done, it's completed.

L-85 And why would He then (it doesn't answer the question) be baptized? Many has said, "Why, He was baptized because He was our example." That is true to a certain state, certain place. That is true, but it isn't all the truth.
The truth of it was, that He was the Antitype, He was the High Priest. And before the high priest could be anointed, he had to be washed.


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