31. 基督的受冼THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST
作者: 史鮑爾 (R.C. Sproul) 譯者: 姚錦榮
施洗約翰的水禮和耶穌所設立作為新約標記的洗禮，二者間有很密切的關系，這兩種洗禮雖有其連續性，但並不相同。
準確地來說，約翰的洗禮屬於舊約的洗禮，雖然約翰的洗禮記載在新約聖經裏，但耶穌所立的新約是在約翰傳道之後才開始的。這洗禮是神對以色列百姓的一種要求，是一個預備性的洗禮。施洗約翰宣告，神的國近了，他是彌賽亞的開路先鋒；基督將要出現，證明神的國將要臨到，然而以色列百姓卻還未把自己預備好，他們仍是不潔之民。
約翰的洗禮是一個激進的改革，在約翰之前，只有歸化猶太教的外邦人，才需要接受潔凈禮的儀式。而當施洗約翰出現時，神命令猶太人也要悔改，接受洗禮。因此猶太人的宗教領袖視約翰的洗禮為異端、為羞辱，因為約翰把猶太人視作與外邦人一樣，都為不潔。
耶穌卻自願地接受約翰的洗禮，且不顧約翰的反對，堅持如此行。因為耶穌既擔當了彌賽亞的角色，祂便必須遵守以色列神之律法的每一樣要求。耶穌藉著洗禮與自己的百姓認同，為盡諸般的義。
當耶穌下到約但河接受約翰洗禮時，就是耶穌在世傳道的開始。祂不但與自己百姓的罪認同，也為著事奉而被聖靈膏抹。從某個角度來說，這是耶穌的按立典禮，祂正式承擔起基督的職事。
基督一詞乃「受膏者」，耶穌在受洗時被聖靈膏抹，開始擔當彌賽亞的聖職，正如以賽亞書所說的：「主耶和華的靈在我身上，因為耶和華用膏膏我，叫我傳好信息給謙卑的人。」（賽61：1）
總結
1. 約翰的洗禮是彌賽亞來臨前的預備工作。
2. 約翰的洗禮使猶大官長感到羞辱，因為這表明他們都是不潔的。
3. 耶穌不是為自己的罪受洗，而是為了要與祂前來拯救的百姓認同。
4. 耶穌在洗禮中被按立，受膏抹。
思考經文：
賽40：3；太3：13-17；可1：1-5；林後5：21
31.
THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST
The
rite of water baptism performed by John the Baptist is closely linked to the
sacrament of baptism instituted by Jesus as the sign of the new covenant.
Though there is a continuity between the two baptisms, they must not be seen as
identical.
John’s
baptism, properly considered, belongs to the Old Testament. Although we read of
it in the New Testament, the New Covenant did not begin until after John’s
ministry. It was a requirement God gave to His people, Israel. It was a baptism
of preparation. John preached that the kingdom of God was at hand. He was the
herald of the Messiah. The nearness of the coming kingdom of God was seen in
the imminent appearance of Christ. The Messiah King was about to be made known,
but the people of Israel were not ready for Him. They were unprepared. They
were unclean.
John’s
baptism was a radical innovation. Prior to John, Gentiles converting to Judaism
were required to undergo a purification rite of cleansing. With the appearance
of John the Baptist, God commanded the Jews also to repent and be washed. The
Jewish clergy regarded John’s requirement as heretical and insulting. It meant
that John was treating
Jews
as if they were as unclean as Gentiles. Jesus willingly submitted to John’s
baptism, even insisting upon it (against John’s protests) because in His role
as Messiah it was necessary for Jesus to submit to every requirement of God’s
law for Israel. In His identification with His people, Jesus was baptized to
fulfill all righteousness.
When
Jesus entered the Jordan River to be baptized by John, this event marked the
beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Here He not only identified Himself with
the sin of His people, He was also anointed by the Holy Spirit for ministry. In
a sense this was Jesus’ ordination. Here He began His vocation as the Christ.
The
term Christ means “anointed one.” Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit at His
baptism and began to fulfill the role of Messiah as described by Isaiah: “The
Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach
good tidings to the poor” (Isaiah 61:1).
Summary
1.
John’s baptism was preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
2.
John’s baptism was insulting to the Jewish officials because it meant they were
“unclean.”
3.
Jesus was baptized not for His own sins but to identify with the sinners He
came to save.
4.
Jesus was ordained or anointed at His baptism.
Biblical
passages for reflection:
Isaiah
40:3
Matthew 3:13-17
Mark 1:1-5
2 Corinthians 5:21
