Jesus is Superior!

with you this morning entitled, “Jesus is Superior!”  Most dictionaries list these words as synonyms: better, greater, higher, excellent. 

 

Our text this morning will demonstrate that Jesus is superior in all things and over all things.  However, before we get there, I want to answer five (5) questions that this text raises.

 

 

1. Was John the Baptist the Messiah?

15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not…

 

After hearing the powerful preaching of John the Baptist and seeing all those who were coming to be baptized, the people began to wonder if John the Baptist was the Messiah.  John himself answered that question in 3:16 by saying that he was definitely different and inferior to the One who was coming.  John was not even worthy to untie the thong of His sandal. 

 

However, we knew the answer to this question from chapter one.  See 1:16 and 1:76. 

 

16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

 

76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways.

 

 

2. What is baptism with the Holy Spirit or by the Holy Spirit or in the Holy Spirit?

16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”

 

In all four gospels, the Biblical writers say that Jesus will baptize with or in the Holy Spirit.  This is true for Matthew, Mark, John, and we’re seeing Luke’s words here.

 

In the book of Acts 1:5, Jesus said that these first century followers of Christ would be baptized with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. 

 

5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

 

The only other reference in the NT to a baptism with or in or by the Spirit is 1 Corinthians 12:13. Paul said we are all baptized by the Spirit into one body.

 

13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

 

Therefore, my contention from these texts and their context is that baptism with the Holy Spirit or by the Holy Spirit or in the Holy Spirit takes place at conversion and not after salvation.  In other words, to be saved means you are baptized with, by, and in the Holy Spirit.

 

Also, when you are baptized by the Holy Spirit, that means you are regenerated or born-again.  That also means you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit for eternity.  Finally, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, your salvation is no longer up for debate.

 

 

3. Does baptism save?

 

This question can only be answered if the type of baptism in question is identified.  If you are talking about physical, water baptism, the answer is obviously no. 

 

For those that believe water baptism saves, the thief on the cross is the proverbial fly in the ointment.  Jesus said he would be with Him in Paradise, and yet, he wasn’t baptized.  See Luke 23:40-43.

 

40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”  43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

 

Another text to consider is 1 Peter 3:21-22.  The baptism that saves here is not a physical, water baptism, but a spiritual and internal baptism. 

 

21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

 

Therefore, water baptism never saves, but spiritual baptism with or by or in the Holy Spirit always saves.

 

 

4. Why was Jesus baptized?

21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.

 

He wasn’t baptized to be saved.  He wasn’t baptized to wash away original sin.  I would suggest at least three reasons for Jesus being baptized and by John the Baptist. 

 

First, Jesus’ baptism validated the ministry of John the Baptist.  In many ways, John was seen as an outcast type of character clothed in animal skins and eating grasshoppers and honey.  Baptizing Jesus legitimized John’s ministry. 

 

Second, Jesus was baptized to signify the beginning of His public ministry.  In His baptism, we see the Holy Spirit descending upon Him as the power and temperament for His ministry.  Next, the Father approved of His only Son and all that He would do.

 

Third, Jesus was baptized because it was simply the right thing to do.  See Matthew 3:13-15. 

 

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”  15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

 

Consequently, if it was the right thing for Jesus to do, it is the right thing for you to do if you are a follower of Jesus.  Furthermore, if it is right to be baptized, it is then wrong not be baptized. 

 

Also, John’s baptism looked forward.  Jesus’ baptism set the example for us.  Christian baptism looks back to the coming of the Holy Spirit and the death of Christ and identifies with Him in death, burial, and resurrection.

 

 

5. Is the Trinity a biblical doctrine?

22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

 

Even though the actual word never appears on the pages of Scripture, the idea is certainly here as seen in the baptism of Jesus.  The Son was baptized, the Spirit descended, and the Father approved.

 

 

One Main Point

At the end of the day, we always want to identify the one main point of any preaching text.  For today, it is that Jesus is superior in all things and over all things.

 

First, He is superior to John.  John himself made that clear in verses 15 and 16 in his humility and their two different baptisms.  John would baptize with water.  Jesus would baptize with Holy Spirit.

 

Second, He is also superior to judge.  Look at the end of verse 16 and 17.  To be baptized with fire is a reference to judgment.  For those that receive Jesus, He will baptize you with the Spirit and with fire and it will cleanse you of all sin.

 

If you reject Jesus, like chaff that is separated from the wheat, you will be gathered and thrown into the unquenchable fire at the end of the age.  Certainly, that is a reference to hell.

 

Third, He is a superior Savior.  If Jesus hasn’t baptized you with Spirit, you haven’t been saved. 

 

In fact, there is no other way to be saved.  Baptism won’t do it.  Morality won’t do it.  Genealogy won’t do it.  Ingenuity won’t do it. 

 

The only way to be saved is to be baptized by Jesus with the Spirit.  He is superior to save.

 

This morning, He wants to superior in your life.  What about it?  Will you let Him save you?  Will you let Him lead you?  Will you let Him mold you and shape you?  You can’t make a better decision.

 

He is superior!