3. Matthew 3:1-3

4. 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-30

5. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 16 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

6. Lesson 5

7. John The Baptist!

8. Who was John the Baptist?
His name.
Why do we call him John the Baptist?
Because that is the name given him in many passages such as Matt. 3:1.
A more accurate title would be John the Baptizer.
His name was NOT intended to be associated with a particular denomination or even a title.
Matthew 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

9. Who was John the Baptist?
His Miraculous Birth.
Recorded primarily in Luke 1:11-20,
His mother was older and barren.
Zacharias, his father and a priest was made mute from conception until John was born and presented on his 8th day to the temple.

10. Who was John the Baptist?
His Manner.
John is described as rough in appearance.
He dwelt and preached in the wilderness – Matt. 3:1.
Luke 1:80 says, “So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.”
John 1:28 tells us he was in Bethabara, beyond the Jordan.
Appearance - Matt. 3:4 says he was clothed in Camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist.
He ate locusts and wild honey (wild food).
This was similar to Elijah – 2 Kings 1:8.

11. Who was John the Baptist?
His Manner.
Luke 1:15 notes that he was not to drink strong drink or wine and that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
He was a prophet of God – evidenced by what he taught. Luke 7:28 he was called such by Jesus.
He was of a moral character – Mark 6:20 notes that he was a just and holy man
John 5:35 – Jesus described him as “the burning and shining light, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.”

12. Who was John the Baptist?
His Purpose.
John 1:6-8 tells us he was sent from God “to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.”
He was one prophesied about in scripture.
Isaiah 40:3 says, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”
This prophecy is attributed to John in all 4 gospels – (Matt. 3:3, Mark 1:2, Luke 3:4, John 1:23).

13. Who was John the Baptist?
His Purpose.
Malachi 3:1, “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me.” This is attributed to John in Matthew 11:10-11 where Jesus described John. Also Mark 1:2, Luke 7:26-28.
Malachi 4:5-6, as the Old Testament is concluded we read, “Behold, I send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” This verse was quoted by the angel to Zacharias in Luke 1:17.

14. Who was John the Baptist?
His Purpose.
Before he was born, his purpose was prophesied to Zacharias while in the temple - Luke 1:13-17 was a prophecy of his purpose.
After his birth, Zacharias prophesied of his work – Luke 1: In this prophecy John is described as, “a horn of salvation” (69), “The prophet of the Highest” (76) and “you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God…”(76-77)
Jesus would identify his purpose (Matt. 17:11) and note that he was the Elijah they were looking for (the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus)

15. Who was John the Baptist?
Jesus Honored Him.
Luke 7:18-35 we find where Jesus speaks to his audience about John.
He notes that he was a prophet and worthy of respect.
However, He took the occasion to expand on the importance of the Kingdom of heaven and all who enter therein.

16. Who was John the Baptist?
His Death.
John would eventually be executed by Herod during the 3 year ministry of Jesus.
We are probably familiar with the account as recorded in Matthew 14:1-12 and Mark 6:16-29.
John was beheaded at the request of Herodias and her daughter because he condemned their unscriptural marriage.
Jesus commended John and his work during His ministry – Matt. 11:7-19.

17. He had a message that attracted attention:
His Preaching!
He had a message that attracted attention:
Matt. 3:5-6 notes that all Judea and the region went out to hear him.
He was effective enough that the Jewish leaders were concerned and dealt with him, though with caution, because the people had high regard for him.
Jesus would later expose them when they challenged His (Jesus’) authority – Mark 11:27-33.

18. The content of his message
His Preaching!
The content of his message
He introduced Jesus.
John 1:29-31 actually summarizes his purpose in his message – he introduced Jesus.
Remarkably he did it without miracles (cf. John 10:41).

19. The kingdom of heaven is at hand!
His Preaching!
The kingdom of heaven is at hand!
Matt. 3:2, an important part of his message that we need to understand.
John was preaching that Jesus was coming to establish the kingdom. We will find in the teachings of Jesus that His intent was the same.
This statement of John, along with other passages such as Matthew 16:28, Mark 9:1 – present with power - contradicts the false doctrine of premillennialism

20. His Preaching! Repentance
Repentance is one of those subjects we need to be constantly reminded of.
Repent literally means to change of one’s mind.
Paul said that godly sorrow produces repentance – 2 Cor. 7:10-11.
Note that it also produces a change in one’s life.
Matthew 3:1-3 – John preached, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John’s instructions in Luke 3:7-9. He called hypocritical leaders, “Brood of vipers!”

21. His Preaching! Baptism for the remission of sins.
Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3 - his baptism was a baptism of preparation.
It was associated with repentance, but it was also “for the remission of sins”, the same identical expression found in Acts 2:38 (more on this in our next lesson).
For those present at that time, somehow his baptism produced forgiveness of their sins.

22. His Preaching! He taught moral living!
Luke 7: He gave specific examples of the need for a holy and pure life.
To all he said that we need to share with others, to tax collectors – he said not to cheat and to soldiers he said to be content and to not bully others.
An example of this was his willingness to confront Herod who had married Herodias unscripturally (cf. Matt. 14:1-5).
His teachings on this moral subject are consistent with Jesus also (Matt. 19:8-9).

23. His Preaching! He Instructed his disciples to follow Jesus.
John 3:23-30 a passage that speaks of some whom John baptized. John (the apostle) notes that some of John the Baptist’s disciples were disputing about Jesus and many turning to Him.
John in vs gave one of my favorite sayings of John. He said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

24. What a lesson for all of us who are disciples of Christ!
Has this saying proven true in our lives as Christians?
Where are we now compared to when we began our walk?
HOW MUCH have we increased?
Luke 7:18-23 – On one occasion, John sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He were the Coming One or if they were to look for another.

25. What a lesson for all of us who are disciples of Christ!
Jesus performed many miracles and instructed them to return to John and tell what they had seen.
I believe that John’s motive in sending these two disciples was to convince THEM to prepare to follow Jesus instead of him. I base that on John 3.
He taught prayer & fasting –
Luke 11:1, 5:33 – both of these passages indicate that a part of John’s message was prayer and fasting.

26. And thus we can see the life of John the Baptist.
What a lesson for all of us who are disciples of Christ!
Let us learn from them.
And thus we can see the life of John the Baptist.
We can be members of the church Jesus built.
What about you?
Have you obeyed the gospel?

27. Do you want to obey Jesus tonight?
Hear
Believe
Repent
Confess
Be Baptized
Be Faithful till Death!