Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? (Luke 3:7-10)
John came out of the desert unto Jordan and began to baptize those who repented of their sins. When the Pharisees and Sadducees saw it, they too came, not in repentance but to join the show of baptism. John rebuked their self-righteousness, saying to bring forth righteous fruits which truly demonstrate their turning from sin and reliance upon God. God would prune the nation of Israel and those who were not producing would be cut down. The people who came under conviction asked what they should do.
The self-righteous leaders of Israel came to John’s baptism to join in, not to be saved or to repent, but to put on a show of religion. John, being led by the Spirit of God, knew their heart and pointed out their wickedness and reliance upon themselves and not God. He warned them of God’s pruning and correction and called for true repentance and faith. All those who became convicted by the Holy Spirit asked John what to do and were given specifics which would follow out of a repentant heart.
We don’t follow the ceremony of baptism to be saved, for water is not what saves us, baptism is only a sign of what we already have. Only the blood of Jesus Christ and our receiving Him by faith in Him and the finished and perfect work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary can save. The Holy Spirit draws people unto God, points them to Jesus Christ as the only Salvation from the wrath to come, and guides them into the Truth of the Gospel that they may be saved. Christians are to go and tell, reaching the lost with the Good News of Christ, teaching all nations all that Christ has commanded, and preaching His Word unto all who will hear until all who will repent and be saved have done so and God is done with us. God invites whosoever will to come to Him on His terms and sends His people as His messengers that others might hear and believe.
God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
The self-righteous leaders of Israel came to John’s baptism to join in, not to be saved or to repent, but to put on a show of religion. John, being led by the Spirit of God, knew their heart and pointed out their wickedness and reliance upon themselves and not God. He warned them of God’s pruning and correction and called for true repentance and faith. All those who became convicted by the Holy Spirit asked John what to do and were given specifics which would follow out of a repentant heart.
We don’t follow the ceremony of baptism to be saved, for water is not what saves us, baptism is only a sign of what we already have. Only the blood of Jesus Christ and our receiving Him by faith in Him and the finished and perfect work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary can save. The Holy Spirit draws people unto God, points them to Jesus Christ as the only Salvation from the wrath to come, and guides them into the Truth of the Gospel that they may be saved. Christians are to go and tell, reaching the lost with the Good News of Christ, teaching all nations all that Christ has commanded, and preaching His Word unto all who will hear until all who will repent and be saved have done so and God is done with us. God invites whosoever will to come to Him on His terms and sends His people as His messengers that others might hear and believe.
God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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