The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 1:1-8, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;
3 THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.’
4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
6 John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey.
7 And he was preaching, and saying, ‘After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.
8 “I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’”

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the Gospels. They initiate the
telling of the “Good News,” which is what the word “gospel” means. Exactly when John Mark was converted is not known. His writing of the gospel, however, is believed to have been the first written of the four gospels.

In the verses above, John cites the words of Isaiah 40:3, where the prophet introduces a forerunner of the LORD Jesus Christ. He is known in the New Testament as John the Baptist.

When a notable personality comes on the scene, we often observe someone of lesser rank introducing him to the congregation. Such was John the Baptist, nominated by the Father to introduce the Savior, the LORD Jesus Christ.

Someone once wrote a little limerick that says,

John the Baptist was a preacher;
John the Baptist was a Jew;
Some folks say he was a Christian,
But he was a Baptist, too.

The word “baptist” literally means, “the baptizing one,” or “the one who baptizes.” The word “baptize” is the Greek word ?????????, meaning “to immerse” or “to dip.” In was an early, spiritual sign that identified one’s transition from a previous religion into the spiritual family of Jesus Christ.

That the water, per se, had no “saving efficacy,” is clearly noted in
the experience of Philip with the eunuch in Acts 8:35-38:

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.
36 As they went along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
37 And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

A number of churches with varying doctrinal beliefs hold to full immersion as the proper mode of baptism. Nevertheless, it is not the water that saves, it is one’s personal faith in the LORD Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins, that saves! It is so utterly simple that many stumble over the simplicity. I pray that you will not stumble. A simple prayer, confessing your sins to Jesus, will result in your salvation.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom