The Gospel of John describes a scene where John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and he made the following statement:
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is
the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed
me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the
reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to
Israel.” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down
from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know
him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man
on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one.” (John
1:29-34)
At first sight, it seems the writer was describing the actual baptism itself, as per Matthew’s account. However, the next few days finds Jesus choosing his disciples – not going into the wilderness as the Synoptics relate it. So, is this scene a ‘revisit’ so to speak? Is it Jesus coming out of the wilderness, walking past John, at about Passover season, some months following his actual baptism?
If so, then the Gospel of John is not recording the baptism event directly, but is recording John B’s testimony of that event. In other words, John B. sees Jesus returning, and calls out, “This is the man I baptised several months ago! This is the man the dove descended upon!”
So, is the Gospel of John recording the actual baptism event, or is he recording an occasion when Jesus revisited the same place on his way back from the wilderness? The latter explanation may reconcile some of the perceived differences between John and the Synoptic Gospels.
Tyler Lee Price
100 isn’t a big enough sample size to be representative of all.
Varnel Watson
how big is your average congregation?
Tyler Lee Price
Average congregation size is 100. But I’m saying that the results of the poll were misleading because the sample size is too small to be representative of all Christians.
Varnel Watson
Tyler Lee Price actually 80 but a 100 rounds it up Carefully and randomly selected individuals who in a survey form the perfect congregation to anticipate a single pastor answer but from different perspective If you go beyond the size you get too much data and end up asking too much of 1 single pastor – large scope is not needed here But feel free to try it with a 1,000 and see if the results will change any And No the results of the poll are NOT misleading in any away
Tyler Lee Price
They are very skewed. You can’t survey 100 and get an accurate representation of a population.
Varnel Watson
skip #1 Michael Ellis Carter Jr. #2-3 if you ask me
Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Troy Day yes and number #4
RichardAnna Boyce
Have assurance of salvation; so they can teach believers they have assurance too; and give good news to unbelievers (eternal security the moment you believe); and don’t have to spend their time counselling members “have i lost my salvation this week?”
Scott McGill
Hes got to be able to BBQ
Varnel Watson
when you approach ministry as a joke is the way ppl will approach you as a minister Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Scott McGill
Troy Day So connecting with people over food is out of the question? If you dont get to know people, how can you truly lead them
Varnel Watson
Scott McGill I was responding to Michael Ellis Carter Jr. but I dont mind answering you as well Have you read in the Bible where the church fasted? Have you tried it lately? Joe Absher http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/when-was-the-last-time-you-fasted-for-3-days-or-more/
Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Troy Day yeah we have to take pastoring and the gospel seriously
Varnel Watson
ppl take BBQ seriously 🙂
Varnel Watson
http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/notes-on-a-30-day-fast/
Joe Absher
Generally speaking the church takes on the character of the pastor. His message and vision.
If the pastor gets in the floor and prays before God his people will grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ
If the pastor is cold and mean the people judgmental and be stingy.
Varnel Watson
as long as pastors are not jezebels Joe Absher Isara Mo I like
4. Does not impose his personal opinion (13%)
5. Motivates people to get involved (9%)
though I dont see how Michael Ellis Carter Jr. does #4
Isara Mo
Troy Day
How can a pastor stop himself from influencing his congregation with his ” personal opionion?””
It is impossible.Most preachings and teachings are laced with the preachers and teachers perdonal opinions..
Subtle control, manipulation and intimidation is always there…
Davidking Manelli
Yes absolutely