The Promised Savior Is Coming

Who Is this Man?

Week 4 — The Promised Savior Is Coming

  1. God promised His coming.

  2. God prepares sinners for His coming.

4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mk 1:4)
3 In fact, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they scrub their hands with a fist, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash [βαπτίζω (bap-tē-zō)]. And there are many other traditions they adhere to, such as the washing [βαπτισμός (bap-tēz-mōs)] of cups, pitchers, kettles, and dining couches. (Mk 7:3-4)
Then an argument broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew about purification. (Jn 3:25)
Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, about whom you testified—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him! (Jn 3:26b)
When the man with a discharge has been cleansed from his discharge, he shall count off seven days for his process of purification, wash his clothes, and bathe his body in water from a flowing source; then, he will be clean. (Le 15:13)
Prepare the way of the Lord. (Mk 1:3b)
18 Jesus approached and spoke to them saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you. And surely I am with you always until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:18–20)
Look, here is water. What is there to prevent me from being baptized? (Ac 8:36b)
So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through the word of Christ. (Ro 10:17)
No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Co 12:3b)
How can they believe in the one about whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher? (Ro 10:14)

Through the _____________, the Holy Spirit ________________ and _______________________ the ___________ that receives the forgiveness Jesus won for us.

20b In this ark a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 21 And corresponding to that [ἀντίτυπος (an-tee-too-poss)], baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Pe 3:20b–21)

Through ___________ in Jesus, we _______________ the forgiveness that _______________ our guilt before God.

8 Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8–9)

Through _______________, the Holy Spirit _________________ and _______________________ the ____________ that receives the forgiveness Jesus won for us.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Mk 1:1)

Points to Ponder

  1. According to Mark 1:4, what two activities were central to John's ministry?
  2. What does Mark say John's Baptism was connected with?
  3. Why is it important that John's Baptism was more than just another Jewish purification washing?
  4. How can Scripture say that “Baptism now saves you” while also teaching that Jesus alone is our Savior?
  5. Why do people often prefer to think of Baptism primarily as their testimony or decision rather than as God's action for them?
  6. What danger arises when Christians look primarily at the strength of their faith rather than at the promises God gives through his means of grace?
  7. When your conscience troubles you, where are you most tempted to look for assurance: your feelings, your improvement, the strength of your faith, or God's promises?
  8. How could remembering your Baptism help you when you struggle with guilt, fear, or doubt?

Homework: Mark 1