Verse 25 – purifying – not just ceremonialism, but spiritual purifying
– salvation and holiness in God. Because of the question they asked.
Verse 26 – Jesus is baptizing – See John 3:22, and 4:1,2 – It seems
the followers of John were more concerned about people going to Jesus and not
John. – Their ranks were not growing. I am not of the group who believes
that there came a time when John’s baptism lost its power. Some believe the
folks who were baptized in Acts 19 were already saved, and that John baptized
them, but that his authority had run out, so their baptism was invalid.
Verse 27 – The foundation of John’s believe as to why he was born.
Verse 28 – John upbraids his followers, reminding them of his teachings,
that they should look for Christ, not him. This is the work of each of us –
each preacher – each pastor – look for Christ, not human, physical
leaders.
Verse 29 – First example – Christ will have the bridegroom, I am
the friend of the groom. I can be happy bring the friend of the bridegroom. So
we should be happy in the place God has put us.
Verse 30 – Second example – Giving glory and honor to God is
what I want – that is God’s plan for me and my work. His work is more
important than mine.
Verse 31 – Third example – There is a difference in heavenly
things and earthly things – Christ is from above, all the rest of us are
earthly.
Verse 32 – Christ tells us what he has seen in heaven with his father.
Earthly people cannot tell those things because we haven’t been there, haven’t
seen them, and haven’t heard from the Father. All we can tell is what we
have been told. There is a lot of difference in the two. One is taught from
experience – the other is taught from teachings. See also John 5:19.
Verse 33 – Those people that receive the message of Christ knows that he
is the one we should worship. This verse is referring back to verse 26 and the
people before John who do not like the fact that John’s ministry is
decreasing while the ministry of Christ is increasing. These folks should get
their act together – hear Christ and believe on him.
Verse 34 – God sent Jesus Christ, and he speaks all the truth. Books are
good, but there is no book like the Bible – God’s word to us. The Spirit
was given by measure to Jesus Christ, as he is given to us, because Jesus is
God. All parts of the trinity have all parts of all of the trinity. Jesus has
all the spirit of God, we have part of the spirit of God – the more we
study, the more we learn about God, the more we can have. Two view here –
The Calvinists view and the Arminian view. Calvinists – you get all the Holy
Spirit, there is no more. Arminian – you get Holy Spirit at salvation, but
you can lose him if you don’t grow in the Lord. I don’t believe either
one, but a combination of both.
Verse 35 – God has given all things to the Son. So you need to go with
the son and not with any man called by God – don’t follow John the
Baptist, or any other preacher – follow God.
Verse 36 – John makes it very clear that salvation comes from the Son,
not from men. Salvation is not by education – it is by inspiration.