"being baptized with the baptism of John" - Abraham, the Buddha, Confucius, Socrates, and Christ Jesus

Tokyo

Abraham, the Buddha, Confucius, Socrates, and Christ Jesus

Gotama Siddhattha (the Buddha) was born  in ancient India around 550 BC; Confucius was born in ancient China around 550 BC; and Socrates was born  in ancient Greek around 450 BC.

However around the 6th century BC, Hebrews were released from the Babylonian captivity and returned to Jerusalem; subsequently the creed of Judaism was fixed and the Second Temple was built in Jerusalem.

This era between the 6th century BC and the 5th century BC is critical for the mankind.  The spiritual conditions of the mankind that have extended to the 21st century were set in this era of about 2500 years ago.  Eventually God sent His son to Hebrews, although 500 years later after 2500 years ago.  God did not sent His son to ancient India, ancient China, or ancient Greek but to Hebrews.

However, it had been promised to Abraham by God 1500 years before that era of 2500 years ago:
“Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (verses 2-3).

So, piousness of Abraham to God was appreciated more than work by the Buddha, Confucius, and Socrates.  Accordingly, God sent His son to the descendants of Abraham.  And along with deployment of Christianity, Judaism has been also continued and protected.

The Buddha represented self-enlightenment to conquer difficulty of human existence; Confucius represents ethical attitudes to show respect for ancestors; and Socrates represents honest attitudes of men before divinity.   Nonetheless, they could not change God's promise to Abraham.

Probably, Abraham did not think anything but God.  His life was simpler than the Buddha, Confucius, and Socrates.  Abraham must have nothing to worry about and think about except God.

It is not known whether Abraham saw the Great Pyramids in Giza, but His concentration to God did not change or was not averted.  This attitude became part of traditions of the Hebrew people, which must have rejoiced God. 

In other words, the mankind is expected by God to concentrate on God rather than trying to achieve enlightenment, complete ethical attitudes, or establish socially or ideologically righteous way of living. 

There are various types of foods.  But God might expect us to concentrate on our bodies rather than on any foods.  We may be allowed to take any foods while concentrating on our bodies that are more important than any foods.  And Christ Jesus also said not to mind what clothes we should put on, because our bodies are more important than clothes.

However, it seems that God never denies the Buddha, Confucius, and Socrates.  Indeed, there are many situations where their teachings are effective.  However, men have to confront the battle against Satan sooner or later.  And it seems that Abraham's concentration on God is the most effective for winning victory in this battle.

After great learning of the Buddha, Confucius, and Socrates, if men fail to win the battle against Satan, this learning is useless.  However, we may believe that God helps us in this battle only if we concentrate on God like Abraham.    

**** **** ****

Luk 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Luk 7:29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
Luk 7:30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.