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Life and Travels of William Conrad
Chapter XXVI - John the Baptist
There was a man sent from God. whose name was John. (6th verse of the 1st chapter of John.) Of the manner of this man's being sent from God, we wish to speak by reference to the record of Luke's 1st chapter, beginning at 11th verse: "And there appeared unto him (Zachariah) an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zachariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell on him. But the angel said unto him, fear not, Zachariah; for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." We have quoted on to the 17th verse, inclusive, giving the whole of the message of the Lord by his angel delivered to Zachariah, that the reader may thus far see plainly as recorded the Lord's manner. and description as well as his promise and fulfillment thereof to Zachariah, and tells him, thou shalt call his name John, thus named before conceived, as the same angel of the Lord, Gabriel, "Said unto her, fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favor with God, and behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus."-30th and 31st verses.
But alike strange that the same angel that announced to Zachariah, "For he (John) shall be great in the sight of the Lord," did say to Mary, "He (Jesus) shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest;" and still more strange than all to human conception is that in the latter clause of the 15th verse it is there written, "And he (John) shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb."
The result, or rather a being born of God and baptized of the Holy Ghost before being born of his mother, born of the flesh, as the writer of this understands the scriptures to teach for under such admission, John the Baptist was as surely filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb as was the disciples on the day of Pentecost filled with the Holy Ghost," and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance." And again alike sure was the fulfillment of Peter's promise to those Jews who "were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "men and brethren what shall we do? (Those Jews thus pricked in the heart as above doubtless were not baptized by John, otherwise they would not have been told by Peter to repent and be baptized.) Then Peter said unto them, "repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," etc.
Hence, while the reader is poring over these reflections and hearty opinion of the writer, and bearing in mind the suggestion above made, that John, the man sent from God was born of God and baptized before born of his mother. Now let us see what the scriptures say about John, for we should acknowledge whatever they teach, however across the commonly taught doctrines, sentiments or applications of men, for be it known that of the writer as well as of all else, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."-8th ch., 20th verse of Isaiah.
First then we remark that the angel Gabriel in the sixth month after he appeared to Zachariah in the temple "was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary," etc.-26th and 27th verses of St. Luke.
After the angel had finished his mission to the Virgin Mary or at least in the close thereof as in the 36th and 37th verses, he said: "And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren; for with God nothing shall be impossible."
And Mary's answer as in 38th verse: "And Mary said, behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word." And the angel departed from her, and Mary arose in those days and went into the hill-country with haste-into a city of Judahhh, and entered into the house of Zachariah and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb.
Now, dear reader, if the thought or inquiry arises in your mind, which of course it should to know how it was that at the salutation of Mary when Elizabeth heard it, the babe leaped in her womb.
Now, that our thoughts or inquiries be fully answered, let us read and quote the 44th verse: "For lo, as soon as the voice of thy (Mary's) salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy." So, we see and read the record concerning the babes leaping in his mother's womb. The voice of the joyful mother, Elizabeth, says in the above verse-the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
The next thing we inquire is from whence that love, carrying with it such power as to so stir the babe yet in embryo, but little over six months after conception.
Again we ask from whence can or does that love emanate, that is so nearly associated with a power to cause the babe to leap for joy ere the babe was aware he was made leap for joy. We must doubtless all settle down and own that the joy the babe leaped for may easily be traced to its glorious origin, its glorious fountain, if we but turn and read.
First, we see in 41st verse of this same first Chapter by Luke: That when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, that the babe not only leaped in her womb, but that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost That owing to the exceeding greatness of that power employed and the gracious object accomplished, John born of the spirit, and to us outside of the common order of the circumcision of the heart, in the spirit, in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.
And so, dear reader, was all the circumstances that did occur, touching this babe, his conception, the advanced age of his parents, etc.
That Elizabeth spake out with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou (Mary) among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. From the above, is there not a preponderance leading the mind and understanding to a conclusion that a revelation of the gracious work wrought in her babe the same spirit of which she was filled, leads her on with a like loud voice, as well as a soul-cheered earnestness to say, "And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As much as if she had said, O wondrous stoop of abounding grace and mercy beyond measure or degree to reach down to his handmaid and to have wrought in me a work of such character and power as to possess and fill my soul with gladness and joy, and so great humility of soul that I have said, "And whence is this to me, O to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me ? For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sound in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy."
Here we are reminded of Jesus' words in 63d verse of 6th chapter of John, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." Sow is it too hard for the Lord to use Mary in this case and also her voice in her salutation to Elizabeth, and so consummating the great object of God's gracious design in the above case, as he did in sending Gabriel first to Elizabeth and afterward to the Virgin Mary, and especially as we read and bear in mind as recorded in 36th verse, "And behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren, and in 37th verse closes his message with these words, "For with God nothing shall be impossible." Which carries to our understanding this, that to human conception-Mary, how can these things be? And strange as appears the things spoken may seem to you, there shall be a performance, hence the 'last words of Gabriel to Mary, "For with God nothing shall be impossible;" which should hush every doubt and cause every fear to depart. We go back to notice the fore part of 36th verse: "And behold," as much as to say to Mary, mark well, give heed, pay particular attention, "for thy cousin Elizabeth also conceived a son in her old age and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren." That the reader as well as the writer may not fail to see that the notice given by the angel to Mary of Elizabeth's conception, and of its being the sixth month with her, carries home to our judgment the design of Jehovah God as to the great object as well as the exact time and haste of Mary's visit to the hill country of Judahh, as, it was with Jesus of leaving Judea and departing again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria, and also he must go to the country of Gadara or Gadarenes, for there was in that country a poor, bewildered man possessed of devils, whose dwelling was among the tombs, cutting himself with stones, and that day and night, whom no man could tame, etc., as well as a woman of Samaria, who was a great sinner, to whom Jesus spoke and made her sensible that; he knew all things that ever she did, by which she is made to say to her people in her city-come see a man that told me all things that ever I did; is not this the Christ?
We will now return back and take some further notice of Mary's visit to the hill country.
As we have given some hint of God's purpose in deputing the Angel Gabriel to notify Mary about her cousin Elizabeth's condition, and, moreover, to have been so particular to tell or say to Mary: "This is the sixth month with her who was called barren;" for to us it seems that Mary being shown the case of Elizabeth, her cousin, and under the spirit present on that occasion leads to a desire in Mary to journey in those days and go into the hill country with haste into a city of Judahhh.
Of course Mary's haste in journeying in those days brings her to Zachariah's house in due time, as much so as Jesus when he came to Jacob's well; therefore, being wearied with his journey sat thus on the well, and it was about the sixth hour, then (just at the sixth hour) there cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water; Jesus saith unto her give me to drink? 4th Chapter, 6th and 7th verses of John.
Jesus always, as in this ease, speaks to begin the work, and we still remember that Jesus said: "The words which I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life."
Yes, Mary reached the house of Zachariah in as full time as did the blessed Jesus arrive at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. And when he (Jesus) went forth to land there met him out et the city a certain man which had devils a long time, and wore no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs; 18th Chapter and 27th verse of Luke.
Thus we see as above, that our God is not, can not be frustrated, but always has and will forever consummate his work in due time. Hence, our God is a rock; his work is perfect; he fashioneth their hearts alike.
And let us notice Elizabeth's closing words on this memorable occasion as recorded in 45th verse, she says of Mary: "And blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."
In this 45th verse the words of Elizabeth are so fully expressive of the permanent and her settled faith in God's performance of those things which were told Mary from the Lord. All of which, from Mary's salutation to the close of this verse was heard fully and so deeply sunk down in Mary's heart; her soul so filled, fired, and moved, that as soon as Elizabeth closed her lips on her last words as just read, Mary's full soul could hold no longer; and said: My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour; for he hath regarded the low estate of his hand maiden; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; for he that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is his name; and his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts; he hath put down the mighty from their seats and exalted them of low degree; he hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away; he hath helpen his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy, as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.
We have quoted all the record given of Mary the Virgin and hand-maiden of the Lord after she reached the house of Zachariah, thinking that under the blessing of the Lord, the words spoken of by Mary, and with the rest of the Scriptures given by inspiration of God.
The reader, having Mary's words once more before him or her, might be led to admire as well as to behold the wondrous stoop and condescension of our covenant God in the glorious transaction as above named, and thereby be led to praise God for his goodness as well as loving kindness to poor sinful man.
Now, as we feel that the reader need but read or at most re-read the preceding pages on this subject with the quotations made till it will appear clear to them, as expressed more than once by the writer, that the man sent from God whose name was John, was born of the spirit, born of God before he was born of the flesh, born of his mother.
Now, of this man sent from God, whose name was John, we wish further to speak, for it is recorded thus of him in 7th verse of 1st chapter, by the Evangelist John: "The same came for a witness to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light but was sent to bear witness of that light." Also the 8th verse: "And we say that to the glory of God be it said by us, that the man sent from God, whose name was John, doubtless was qualified of God to do all for which he sent him."
And the angel said unto Zachariah in 18th verse, 1st Chapter, by Luke: "For he (John) shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb."
We know that to be filled with the Holy Ghost is the blessing that follows that of Baptism; so Peter said to those Jews that said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, men, and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. And so the apostle Paul understood that after being baptized they received the Holy Ghost, for Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus, and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him: We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. After hearing their answer as though astounded, he said unto them: Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him which should come after him-that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. After which we read: "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied; and all the men were about twelve; 19th chapter of Acts.
And so now dear brethren, we teach and preach that the peaceable fruits or rather as we read-"But the answer of a good conscience toward God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ."
We should bear in mind that just before Zachariah is made dumb in 17th verse, the angel said of John-"And he shall go before him (the Lord) in the spirit and power of Elias to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." And by both Matthew and Mark recorded: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord; make his paths straight." And more, "The word of God came unto John, the son of Zachariah in the wilderness, and he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
Truly, dear reader, this man sent from God, whose name was John, was possessed of wonderful qualifications sure; he was of God furnished for all the work before him and with all to go forth in the spirit and power of Elias.
The next thing we would notice is John's confession or answer to the people in 16th verse of 3rd Chapter by Luke: "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh; the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire."
And in the 11th verse of 3rd Chapter by Matthew: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
Which baptism did occur doubtless on the day of Pentecost, and as recorded in the 2nd Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, on that blessed day we feel assured that the words of John the Baptist was fulfilled-that mightier one than John; the God veiled in flesh, Jesus, the son of Mary, of which the writer of the Acts of the Apostles has recorded in 2nd Chapter, beginning at the first verse thus: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting; and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them, anal they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance, etc.
Hence in 14th verse: "But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said unto them: Ye men of Judea and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words; for these men are not drunken as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day."
But this is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel. Let the reader notice as he pours or reads over from the 16th verse just quoted, so as to include the 32nd and 33rd verses; the two last we quote:
32nd verse-"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are witnesses."
33rd verse-"Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear."
I now propose calling the attention of the reader back to forepart of this 2nd chapter of Acts: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord in one place; and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting; and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance."
Now, dear reader, I ask you does these four verses just quoted and brought before you the second time-I ask if in them is contained a fulfillment of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and with fire, as John told those Jews whom he baptized, for you know the record by both Matthew and Luke in both their third chapters. Thus 11th verse of Matthew: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but be that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." Also Luke; as before named, records the same in nearly the very same words-both of them say that he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose, he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
Dear reader, I can not expect you to feel or decide otherwise than that the four first verses of 2nd Chapter of Acts is not only a fulfillment of the prophesy of John the Baptist's promise to those Jews he baptized-"that he that cometh after me who is mightier than I shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire."
Now, dear reader, while the narrative is before us, the writer can not fail to acknowledge the baptism of the Holy Ghost and with fire, as recorded above.
Next let us go back to 41st verse of Luke, 1st chapter: "And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost." Was not John who had leaped in his mother's womb for joy as fully baptized with the Holy Ghost as the people was on the day of Pentecost. Let us look at 2nd verse of 2nd Chapter of Acts again: "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting."
Well, when Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste into a city of Judahh, and entered into the house of Zachariah and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary instantly or as recorded in 44th verse: "For lo, as soon (or quick) as the voice of thy (Mary's) salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy." Here we quote the last clause of 41st verse: "And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost-John's house then was his mother-Elizabeth's womb, and when she was filled with the Holy Ghost all the house (too) where John was sitting or resting was filled with the Holy Ghost." And then in view of the angel's announcement to Zachariah as recorded in last clause of 15th verse: "And he (John) shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb; which we all know and read, as Peter taught those Jews that had said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, men, and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." As also in 2nd Chapter of Acts and 4th verse, while Peter was sitting with them all with one accord in one place: "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost (as was Elizabeth) and began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance ;" as did also Elizabeth: "And she spake out with a loud voice and said, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."
Thus, I trust, the reader as well as the writer is satisfied that the man sent from God, whose name was John was both born of God and baptized before born of his mother, Elizabeth; for surely if the coming or descending of the comforter, the spirit, promised the Holy Ghost, and that suddenly from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and filled all the house where they, the apostles and all present were sitting, is the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Then, it follows that John was baptized when his mother Elizabeth, was filled with the Holy Ghost, having before leaped in his mother's womb for joy; for lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.
Hence, the question put to the chief priests and elders of the people by the blessed Jesus as he was teaching in the temple, thus: "The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, if we shall say from heaven he will say unto us, why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say of men we fear the people, for all hold John as a prophet."
Now, of this man John, it is recorded in the 80th verse of Luke, 1st Chapter: "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel."
Thus alluring that we are correct in the above it seems to us quite plain and easy to be seen that the baptism of John, his disciples, and the baptism of Jesus' disciples, and the baptism of Peter after they had all been baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire; for Peter had stood up with the eleven and preached Jesus, whom they had crucified. and when he had said as in 36th verse: "Therefore, let ail the House of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ ;" being the second time in His discourse that Peter had charged home upon them the crime of crucifying Jesus, and that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Now when they heard this they were pricked in the heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? Of course these men thus pricked in the heart were not of those just baptized by the Holy Ghost. "Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word, were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."
We have quoted the 36th verse to the 41st inclusive; our object in so doing is that we have before the reader the first sermon or discourse preached by the apostles after indued with power from on high (as directed in the 49th verse of the last chapter of Luke), and its result as set forth in the above verses just quoted and in the last verse, we see under the commission given the apostles to preach the gospel under the new covenant of grace or God's dispensation of grace. We look with deep and we trust with soul felt interest at those first baptized under and according to the commission given to his disciples by the blessed Jesus before his ascension to heaven. Then they that gladly received his (Peter's) word, were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Yes, added to them just baptized and by us regarded the visible building the church of God under the new covenant or reign of grace, hence it is written of these just baptized and the three thousand souls added to them, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Doubtless the true character of a visible church of Christ, and in the last clause of 47th or last verse of 2nd chapter of Acts, thus: "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
And beside all this it appears to us on that day of Pentecost that the baptism of John the Baptist and also the baptism by Jesus' disciples, and the baptism just administered under the commission given the disciples to preach the gospel in all the world was gloriously consolidated and of twain made one baptism. For doubtless the three thousand souls added to those just baptized were baptized by John and the disciples of Jesus, all of the three thousand were baptized on the day of Pentecost with the Holy Ghost and with fire, and according to the reading of the record they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. As Peter told the Jews that they should repent and be baptized, and they should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, hence they had all drinked in of one spirit and by it led, as the record shows, to glorify God. Moreover we see in the above a fulfillment of Jesus' words spoken to his disciples just before he ascended up into Heaven, as recorded in 4th and 5th verses of the 1st chapter of Acts, thus: "And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart; from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me." 5th verse, "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." And the command to the disciples in those verses also observed by the disciples.
Most of the repetitions in this subject is designed by the writer to have the reader look at same again and again and so perceive how fully John the Baptist was of God prepared for the work before him.
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