Slide 1 John’s credentials (Luke 1:15 NKJV) "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, … (Luke 7:28 NKJV) "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; … John the baptizer (1:1-8) E-01 An encounter with one of the greatest of all prophets.

Slide 2 John’s mission (Mark 1:2-3 NKJV) As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’” (Isa 40:3-4 NASB) … Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; John the baptizer (Cont’d) E-01

Slide 3 John’s baptism Was preached to wayward Jews. (Acts 13:24 NKJV) “after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. All were to be baptized. (Luke 7:29 NKJV) And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. (Luke 7:30 NKJV) But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. John the baptizer (Cont’d) E-01

Slide 4 John’s baptism (Cont’d) Was a baptism associated with repentance. (Mat 3:11 NKJV) “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance … (Mark 1:4 NKJV) John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Acts 19:4 NKJV) Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” Was a return to God’s law (Law of Moses) and preparation for the Messiah. John the baptizer (Cont’d) E-01

Slide 5 John’s baptism (Cont’d) Was not “new covenant” baptism. (Matt. 3:6, Mk. 1:5).Was preceded by a confession of sins, not Christ (Matt. 3:6, Mk. 1:5). Was not in “the name” of Christ (Jesus was not identified until His baptism, John 1:31-33; John’s converts were re-baptized “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” Acts 19:5).Was not in “the name” of Christ (Jesus was not identified until His baptism, John 1:31-33; John’s converts were re-baptized “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” Acts 19:5). Was not a burial into the death of Christ (Rom. 6:3-4), which had not yet occurred.Was not a burial into the death of Christ (Rom. 6:3-4), which had not yet occurred. John the baptizer (Cont’d) E-01

Slide 6 John’s baptism (Cont’d) Was no longer authoritative when “remission of sins” was preached beginning in Acts 2 (Luke 24:47, Acts 19:5). Was no longer authoritative when “remission of sins” was preached beginning in Acts 2 (Luke 24:47, Acts 19:5). Was the baptism with which Jesus was baptized (recall: all Jews were to be baptized). Was the baptism with which Jesus was baptized (recall: all Jews were to be baptized). John the baptizer (Cont’d) E-01

Slide 7 John’s testimony Of who Jesus was. (John 1:29 NKJV) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:34 NKJV) “And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” (Mark 1:7 NKJV) … “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. John the baptizer (Cont’d) E-01

Slide 8 John’s testimony (Cont’d) Of the baptism Jesus would administer. (Mark 1:8 NKJV) “I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” [also, John 1:33; see Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:5] (Luke 3:16-17 NKJV) “… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. … He will … gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” [also, Matt. 3:11] Note: There is no baptism “of the Holy Spirit” i.e., administered by the Holy Spirit. John the baptizer (Cont’d) E-01

Slide 9 From this encounter we see: One of the greatest prophets of all time affirming that Jesus was: The Son of God, and The Savior. The importance of repentance in turning/returning to God’s will and God’s way. John the baptizer (Cont’d) E-01