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Christian Baptism, The Origin
God never sends his children alone into this fallen world. Adam had Eve and likewise we come with friends to support us, relatives to help us grow, and teachers to remind us that this world is not our true home. John the Baptist was one of many helpers sent to support Christ’s mission on earth. John was also a teacher in his own right. He was a religious leader who testified to the arrival of Christ (John 1:29–34).
TWO MIRACULOUS BIRTHS
John the Baptist’s conception and birth at Elizabeth’s advanced age was miraculous. His father Zechariah was made mute for the entire pregnancy because he doubted the message of the angel Gabriel who announced the pending conception and who gave instructions to name the child “John”. Gabriel also instructed that John was not to drink alcohol or strong drink in order to fulfill his mission in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:5–25).
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel visited her relative Mary and informed Mary of an impending immaculate conception by means of the Holy Spirit and of her role as the mother of the Son of God. Gabriel also mentioned Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy to Mary. It’s unclear if Elizabeth was Mary’s cousin or if John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin, but the two women were related and close enough to be confidantes (Luke 1:26–38).
