2/8/26 Weekly Bible Lesson: Expressing Truth

Matthew 3:13-17, 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 NKJV 

Background of Text — Jesus, along with His brothers and sisters, were raised by Mary and Joseph in a carpenter’s home, and perhaps He had done some time as a carpenter (Mark 6:3). As a human, He was tempted and tried just like we are, but He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). Now Jesus is about thirty years old (Luke 3:23), and the time has come to begin the biggest change that would ever be in the history of the world—a change from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:13). A key aspect of this New Covenant will be the inner transformation in the life of those who confess allegiance to Jesus. This transformation will manifest itself in outer expressions of inner truths. 

Understanding

Matthew 3:13-17. Jesus came from Galilee to begin the great change that was prophesied by Old Testament prophets. This is why He came to earth, as God’s Messiah who would be the Savior of all men. 

John, knowing he was but the forerunner, hesitates to baptize Jesus. Jesus insists that John baptize him “to fulfill all righteousness.” This phase is often misunderstood. John’s baptism had two aspects: it was an act in connection with the forgiveness of sins, and it was an act of obedience to a positive command of God. As a Jew, it was incumbent upon Jesus to submit to John’s baptism. Had He not, He would have disobeyed a direct command of God and would have fallen short of perfect righteousness. 

In defending Christian baptism, some people like to reference Jesus’ baptism as an example to us. Although their intention is good, this is not necessary. John’s baptism and Christian baptism are two different things. The command in Acts 2:38 to be baptized is an imperative; it is a command. A better approach for us today is to encourage individuals to obey a positive command of God and submit to Christian baptism. 

Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus’ physical time on earth is ending, but He is not going to leave His followers to do it all alone. The Kingdom era, the church, is about to begin. The change from the Old to the New is at hand. Now, Jesus gives His eleven disciples marching orders that will stand for as long as the church is in existence on earth. Nearly every religious group claiming Christianity label Matthew 28:19-20 as the “Great Commission.” 

Jesus gave the commission to go and make disciples. As we fulfill this great commission, again, we see an outward expression of an inner truth. When the magnitude of God’s saving grace resonates with an individual, they can’t help but go, tell, and make disciples. 

The New Testament teaches that baptism is by immersion in water (Acts 8:38-39) and is the occasion where sins are washed away (Acts 2:38, 22:16). There may be those who do not understand the method and importance of baptism. The evangelist Ed Bousman made it very clear when he explained Mark 10:38, “‘Can you be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?’ This question was asked by Jesus to James and John. As a figure of His suffering, Jesus used the word baptized. He was saying, ‘Are you able to be overwhelmed, plunged, saturated, completely covered, dipped, immersed in this experience that I am to suffer?’ If sprinkling is baptism, it would not provide much of an example of what Jesus was talking about” (copied from “Thirteen Questions About Jesus” by Ed Bousman.)  

Any other form of baptism wouldn’t fit the context of Matthew 28:19-20. There wouldn’t be much comparison to suffering in sprinkling, pouring, asking, lifting a hand, sinners’ prayer, or any other substitute for complete immersion. 

1 Corinthians 11:23-29. Jesus also gave us a memorial to stand until He comes again. Paul had given the church at Corinth instructions concerning the Lord’s supper, and they were making a mess of it even before Scripture was written. This 1 Corinthians passage is probably the most used verse in communion meditations. Paul is trying to get them back to what He had taught them, namely, what he “received from the Lord.” He had given them instructions, and already they were making their own rules. It wasn’t Paul’s way; it was the Lord’s way and still is. They were obedient in coming together the first day of the week (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:18), but they were not doing what Paul had instructed them concerning the Lord’s supper. 

The Lord’s Supper is another outer expression of inner truth. As followers of Christ, this is the time to reflect upon our lives and honestly assess if our actions are in line with our profession. Paul tells the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” Once we have done so, then we can take it worthily. To partake in an unworthy manner is to dishonor the symbols and what they signify. 

1 Corinthians 11:28-29. The Lord’s Supper is also a time to assess the physical needs and spiritual condition of the church. As we partake, we should ask ourselves what needs of our fellow Christians we meet?