Question 94: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad.”
John 8:56. What day and when did he see it? A. A.
Answer: Abraham realized the beginning of the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promises in the birth of Isaac, and in Gen. 22, where he offers up Isaac, he receives him from the dead in a figure (Heb. 11:17-19).
The promise of future blessing is here confirmed in a type of Christ in resurrection. Verses 16-18 bid him look forward to the setting up of Christ’s kingdom, the blessed result of the work of Christ. (Psa. 22:22-31: Gal. 3:16). Faith rejoices in the abiding Word of God.
Question 95: What is the covenant in Isaiah 28:17, 18? L. L.
Answer: The Jews in the tribulation period will make a covenant with Antichrist to be allowed to go on with their temple worship undisturbed, but the Antichrist makes an image of the beast and commands them all to worship it. The godly need to flee for their lives then: they would rather die than worship a man or his image.
(See Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14; Rev. 13:12-17.)
Question 96: What is the use of baptism in water? What is the difference between a baptized person and one unbaptized? I. A.
Answer: John’s baptism was for Israel only. In it those baptized owned Israel’s ruined condition, and by it they committed themselves to God’s mercy as having forfeited all claims to Israel’s blessings. With Christ and John it was fulfilling all righteousness.
Christian baptism was instituted by the Lord Jesus after He rose from the dead. It was committed to His servants with the gospel. No one can baptize himself. The servants are therefore the responsible ones. By it the servants receive others into the profession of Christ’s name. Every one born into this world is either a Jew or a Gentile, but when baptized unto Christ’s name in this symbol of death, has put on Christ as a profession (Gal. 3:27). It is the means whereby the servants receive others coming into the House of God, the professing church on earth (1 Tim. 3:15). It has nothing to do with heavenly claims. It must not be confounded with being born again, that is, a divine operation of the Word and Spirit (John 1:12-13; 3:5-6; 1 Peter 1:23).
The Holy Spirit is given when a man believes the gospel of his salvation (Acts 10:44; Eph. 1:13). This is quite distinct also from baptism. Baptism is therefore what is outward, changing a person’s position on the earth.