THE WITNESSES
FIRST SIGN
73
AND
regard to the One Whose Person and Work fill the Gospel with their
glory, and Who is set forth as `the Way, the Truth, and the Life'. John
the Baptist's testimony settled the following crucial facts:
Jesus Christ was the long promised and expected Lord, Whose
word of restoration and comfort opens the second
portion of Isaiah's prophecy (Isa. 40; John 1:23).
Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God, the great Antitype of all the
sacrificial lambs offered under the dispensation of
type and shadow (1:29,36).
Jesus Christ was the Messiah, `Which baptizeth with the Holy
Ghost' (1:31-33).
Jesus Christ was the Son of God (1:34).
Upon closer examination we find that John the Baptist's witness is
twofold. The first part is his answer to the Sanhedrin, the most
powerful ruling body among the Jews; the second part is given
unasked, and represents his own spontaneous conviction upon seeing
the evidence promised to him in connection with the baptizing of the
Saviour. The structure is as follows: