Chapter 18.
Jesus Returned
To John the Baptist.
Jesus left the wilderness and returned to the Bethabara ford of the Jordan River where John the Baptist was preaching. It was December. The agricultural workers were out of the vineyards, fields and orchards, so John’s rallies were well attended. Unexpectedly, Jesus strolled into view. The Apostle John reported the Baptist’s reaction.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.” (John 1:29-34 NLT)
The following day, when John the Baptist again called Jesus “The Lamb of God”, two of John’s disciples introduced themselves to Jesus. They were Andrew and, almost certainly, John. Thus, Jesus began building the Church. These two men were its first members. Both became Apostles. That same day, Andrew tracked down his brother, Simon, and introduced him to Jesus. He became the third member of the new-born Church. Jesus called him Peter. He, also, became an Apostle.
So, Jesus founded the Church. That is the subject of the second volume of this six volume set. It is entitled “Jesus Launched the Church”.
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