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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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Depending upon the Holy Spirit for all you do?
Read through the following study by Tenchi for more on this topic
https://christianforums.net/threads/without-the-holy-spirit-we-can-do-nothing.109419/
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How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?
Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject
https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042
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Bible Study The least and the greatest !?
- Thread starter twinc
- Start date
Gary
Member
Regardless of what he was, the Lord thought very highly of him.
And that's really all that needs to be said.
.
not highly enough it seems imho and that's really all that needs to be said - twinc
Blake
Member
What's your problem with John? Why would Jesus receive water baptism from John? Why would it have said in the very preceding sentence that no man on earth has compared to John the Baptist?
Here's a good commentary: Matthew 11:11. Among them that are born of women — That is, among the whole race of mankind in all former ages, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist — As John, with regard to his religious and moral character, was the best of men, so he had some peculiar honours superior to any prophet of former generations. “Our Lord,” says Macknight, “honoured the Baptist with the magnificent title of the greatest of all the prophets, under the law, for four reasons. 1st, He was the subject of ancient prophecies, and had long been expected by the people of God under the character of Elias, a name given him by Malachi, because he was to possess the spirit and power of Elias. 2d, His conception and birth had been accompanied with miracles. 3d, When the season of his inspiration came, he was favoured with a clearer revelation concerning the Messiah than had been enjoyed by any of the prophets under the law. 4th, By his preaching he prepared the Jews for receiving the gospel, and consequently began that more excellent dispensation.” Notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven — That is, in the gospel dispensation, when fully opened, understood, and enjoyed in all its privileges and blessings, is greater than he — For Christ’s ministers, and even his real people in general, under the gospel, were to receive superior supplies of the Spirit, and know many important truths respecting our Lord and his kingdom which had not been revealed to John himself. So Doddridge understands the clause. But Baxter confines it to Christ’s ministers, paraphrasing the verse thus: “There hath not been a greater than John before him; as being nearest the kingdom of the Messiah: but yet the least of my ministers in this my kingdom is greater than he, and shall have more eminent gifts of the Spirit, as well as a more excellent office and work; so far shall my kingdom, begun after my ascension, excel all ages that were before it.” Others, again, think the expression, is greater than he, is only applicable to Christ’s first servants, namely, the apostles and evangelists, and New Testament prophets, and interpret the words thus: “Though the Baptist excelled all the preceding prophets, the least inspired person in the kingdom of heaven, the least apostle or preacher of the gospel, was a greater prophet than he, being much better acquainted with the character, disposition, and doctrine of Christ. They were also employed, not in making preparation for, but in erecting the Messiah’s kingdom; hence they were greater than the Baptist in respect of the dignity of their office. Moreover, having gifts bestowed on them to fit them for that office, far superior to his, they were greater in respect of their illumination. They had the Spirit so dwelling in them, that, on all occasions they could declare the will of God infallibly, being, as it were, living oracles. To conclude, as they had likewise been the subjects of ancient oracles, Acts 2:16, they had long been expected by the people of God.” ~ Benson Commentary
God considered John to be higher than all the prophets and patriarchs of the Old Testament. But John was only a forerunner, a herald, an announcer of Christ to come. Yet now that we are within the New Testament (which begun when Christ proclaimed "it is finished"), and the least in the kingdom, even the simple work of a Godly man who tells his neighbor the good news of the Gospel, is preaching what John could only prophesy of. Let that sink in. John was an announcer of Jesus, who was telling of what was to come. God's children in the New Testament proclaim what has already come. Even so, I would never compare myself to John. The written word is telling us that children of the New Testament, even the least of us are greater than John, because we proclaim a risen and resurrected Christ. The Twelve Apostles were a motley crew, none of them compared to the example of John (the word tells us so), but when the Spirit descended upon them in the Upper Room and they were empowered, they did greater things than John did. They had greater insight. They were more successful in converting sinners. John said that the Christ is coming! The Apostles said He has died for you that you may live!
Here's a good commentary: Matthew 11:11. Among them that are born of women — That is, among the whole race of mankind in all former ages, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist — As John, with regard to his religious and moral character, was the best of men, so he had some peculiar honours superior to any prophet of former generations. “Our Lord,” says Macknight, “honoured the Baptist with the magnificent title of the greatest of all the prophets, under the law, for four reasons. 1st, He was the subject of ancient prophecies, and had long been expected by the people of God under the character of Elias, a name given him by Malachi, because he was to possess the spirit and power of Elias. 2d, His conception and birth had been accompanied with miracles. 3d, When the season of his inspiration came, he was favoured with a clearer revelation concerning the Messiah than had been enjoyed by any of the prophets under the law. 4th, By his preaching he prepared the Jews for receiving the gospel, and consequently began that more excellent dispensation.” Notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven — That is, in the gospel dispensation, when fully opened, understood, and enjoyed in all its privileges and blessings, is greater than he — For Christ’s ministers, and even his real people in general, under the gospel, were to receive superior supplies of the Spirit, and know many important truths respecting our Lord and his kingdom which had not been revealed to John himself. So Doddridge understands the clause. But Baxter confines it to Christ’s ministers, paraphrasing the verse thus: “There hath not been a greater than John before him; as being nearest the kingdom of the Messiah: but yet the least of my ministers in this my kingdom is greater than he, and shall have more eminent gifts of the Spirit, as well as a more excellent office and work; so far shall my kingdom, begun after my ascension, excel all ages that were before it.” Others, again, think the expression, is greater than he, is only applicable to Christ’s first servants, namely, the apostles and evangelists, and New Testament prophets, and interpret the words thus: “Though the Baptist excelled all the preceding prophets, the least inspired person in the kingdom of heaven, the least apostle or preacher of the gospel, was a greater prophet than he, being much better acquainted with the character, disposition, and doctrine of Christ. They were also employed, not in making preparation for, but in erecting the Messiah’s kingdom; hence they were greater than the Baptist in respect of the dignity of their office. Moreover, having gifts bestowed on them to fit them for that office, far superior to his, they were greater in respect of their illumination. They had the Spirit so dwelling in them, that, on all occasions they could declare the will of God infallibly, being, as it were, living oracles. To conclude, as they had likewise been the subjects of ancient oracles, Acts 2:16, they had long been expected by the people of God.” ~ Benson Commentary
God considered John to be higher than all the prophets and patriarchs of the Old Testament. But John was only a forerunner, a herald, an announcer of Christ to come. Yet now that we are within the New Testament (which begun when Christ proclaimed "it is finished"), and the least in the kingdom, even the simple work of a Godly man who tells his neighbor the good news of the Gospel, is preaching what John could only prophesy of. Let that sink in. John was an announcer of Jesus, who was telling of what was to come. God's children in the New Testament proclaim what has already come. Even so, I would never compare myself to John. The written word is telling us that children of the New Testament, even the least of us are greater than John, because we proclaim a risen and resurrected Christ. The Twelve Apostles were a motley crew, none of them compared to the example of John (the word tells us so), but when the Spirit descended upon them in the Upper Room and they were empowered, they did greater things than John did. They had greater insight. They were more successful in converting sinners. John said that the Christ is coming! The Apostles said He has died for you that you may live!
To my knowledge the title of "Christian" wasn't used until after Christ's resurrection at Antioch.
Acts 11: NKJV
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Prior to that they were referred to as followers of "the Way."
Acts 9: NKJV
9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
It would seem then that Christian is a term to define a follower of Jesus.
Although the term Christian wasn't used until after John's death it still seems that he was a follower of Jesus.
Matthew 3: NKJV
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
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?”
Acts 11: NKJV
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Prior to that they were referred to as followers of "the Way."
Acts 9: NKJV
9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
It would seem then that Christian is a term to define a follower of Jesus.
Although the term Christian wasn't used until after John's death it still seems that he was a follower of Jesus.
Matthew 3: NKJV
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
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?”
Jethro Bodine
Member
Jethro Bodine
Member
He died.
he died being less than the least - surely knowing better he should have and could have done better - twinc
Jethro Bodine
Member
He isn't less than us because he did not do as good as us. That's a joke. He had the Holy Spirit, and always had it. So it's surely not about his personal failure. This hardly describes a failure so great that everyone else is better than him:
"For he will be great in the sight of the Lord..." (Luke 1:15 NASB)
Do you understand why him having the Holy Spirit from birth makes him less than the rest of us who get there the hard way?
dianegcook
Member
Least=less: I.e younger, meaning Himself, the kingdom, John was only proclaiming it, (but not "in" it). The kingdom was rejected both as announced by John 3:2, by Christ, Matt.4:17, and by Peter, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19-26, and since its final rejection in Acts 28:25,26, is postponed, and now in abeyance. See Heb.2:8 ("not yet").
The possessor is greater than the proclaimer.
The possessor is greater than the proclaimer.
Sinthesis
Member
No, he could not have because there were no Christians before Jesus Christ's resurrection.
Sinthesis
Member
Perhaps, but they were not yet Christians, and they were all scattered from the way while Jesus was in the tomb.
Zec 13:7 - Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that ismy fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
Mat 26:31 - Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
Jhn 16:32 - Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall bescattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
Mat 26:31 - Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
Jhn 16:32 - Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall bescattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
LovethroughDove
Member
Maybe I am misunderstanding the question, but I'll post this
Matthew 3:11 "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ~ talking about Jesus baptizing you with the Holy Spirit
Mark 1:7-8 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he(Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
When he speaks of someone greater than he, he is referring to Jesus himself.
Matthew 3:11 "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ~ talking about Jesus baptizing you with the Holy Spirit
Mark 1:7-8 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he(Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
When he speaks of someone greater than he, he is referring to Jesus himself.
so it seems here that John knew exactly who Jesus was - twinc