Reflections on John 1:25

They asked him, “Why do you baptize then, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
John 1:25, Modern English Version (MEV)

"So, who gave you the authority to baptize people if you aren't the Messiah?"

"You don't have the proper credentials from denominational headquarters, so by what right do you continue in this ministry?"

What's that old saying, "The more things change, the more they stay the same?"

All joking aside, the point is that we have no business pointing accusatory fingers at the highly structured and entrenched religious leadership of that day. We have built the same sort of leadership structures today and, even sadder to say, they are just as quick to defend their positions and power against any threat, real or imagined.