In Matthew chapter 3, Matthew introduces John the Baptist, a prophet who came from the wilderness preaching “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Isaiah prophesied of him in the Old Testament calling him the voice of one crying in the wilderness. John wore clothes made of camel hair, a leather belt, and he ate locust and honey. People from all over the area came to see John and were being baptized by him as they confessed their sins. The Pharisees and Sadducees came to see John but were greeted by John calling them a bunch of snakes. John instructed them of their need to repent of their sins and to live a life that plainly shows they have repented. John told them not to presume they belonged to God just because their lineage was from Abraham. John further told them it doesn’t matter who their lineage is from, but that everyone whose life does not produce good fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire. John tells them that he does baptize with water for repentance, but that one much greater than him, Jesus, would be coming behind him and would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His judgment with fire will purify the pure and destroy the wicked chaff. Then Jesus came to the Jordan River to have John baptize him. But John, who felt unworthy to tie Jesus shoes, told Jesus that he needed to be baptized by him. But Jesus asked him to baptize him because it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness, so John baptized him. Once Jesus came up out of the water the spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove and a voice came from heaven stating that Jesus was Gods son and God was very pleased with him
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 10:00:00 +0000
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