Pasadena Conference 1988--My Notes of Brother Lee's Speaking

[Robert]

Aaron's "So, why did John then ask, through his disciples, "Are you the Christ or should we look for another?" If John knew that Jesus was the sinless Lamb of God, given for the expiation of the sins of the world, then how could he logically imply with his question that something was off when Jesus hadn't sprung him from the gaol? How was Jesus' sinless status going to redeem us all without Jesus' death? And if so, why should John the Baptiser, who introduced this notion, deny it later? It looks like the Baptist of John 1 is different than the one in the Matthew 11/Luke 7 story. One knows of the sinlessness and coming expiation, the other doesn't (or has forgotten)."

I had discussion about it some day.

I think, that however John Baptist was special prepared tool, brother, prophet, he was not sinless. He was not perfect as Christ.
He had ministry of repentance. We can see from scripture, that some disciples joined to Christ when Jesus was passing John. John said " this is a Lamb of God".
But very interesting, that John himselve did not go after Jesus!
Why?
John 3:22-25 we see conflict among disciples of John with Jews about some practices.
3:22
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
3:23
And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
3:24
For John was not yet cast into prison. A meaningful digression from author John apostle
3:25
There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John`s disciples with a Jew about purifying.

John 3;22 to 4:3 we have full picture.
This is not meaningless, that John Baptist despite His revelation about Son of God, did not quit his service/ministry. Read carefully verse by verse and read between.
In John 4:1 we can see dispute between Jews about numbers of baptised ones. Compairence between Jesus's ministry to John's.
4:1
When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John
4:2
(although Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples),
4:3
he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.
I see here, quiet Lamb of God, who is not arguing, dabating, oposses. Not confronting. He had His own mission and was obey to God Father.
In Gospel of John we do not hear any more about John Baptist Also interesting, that John Apostle known for love was more focused on Jesus mission then describig person and doubt of John The Baptist.
More about John is in Luke
7:20
And when the men were come unto him, they said, John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?
So we see this is John The Baptist himself.
Next helping picture is about Peter and disciples.
In Luke 9:18-20
9:18
And it came to pass, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that I am?
9:19
And they answering said, John the Baptist; but others [say], Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
9:20
And he said unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
I see here, that there was opinion among multitudes and Jesus was mistaken for John Baptist.
Although, Peter announced "The Christ of God" he denied Him later.
So Peter and JtB was simply humans as me and others. Not perfect.
I deny sometimes in my live all God showed me, I put in doubt all promises by disbelief.

So resuming:
JtB did not deny Jesus, but put in doubt.
JtB did not recognize only when to stop ministry and follow Jesus.
God arrenged him to be put in jail to seperate him frm miistry and have time to strenght his faith.

For now, Aaron, these are my two cents...
P.S. What i will say now is not a doctrine but curiosity.
All we know 2 Tim 3:16-17... So I noticed, that John the Baptist was decapitated. I read this as a message: "You are not head" or We need to be connected to head but not appart. But, as I said, free thought.