In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think 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: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered Him. And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of GOD descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mat 3:1-3, 7-11, 15-17)
John the Baptist began his preaching with Repent. GOD has always called sinners to turn from their sIn, and turn to Him in faith. John came in the power and spirit of Elijah, to prepare the way of the first coming of our Lord. His message was Truth, and cut to the heart of those who did not come to GOD in faith. He warned those who relied on their own righteousness and their religion to repent for neither would save them.
When Jesus came, John at first did not feel worthy to baptize our Lord, nor did he think it was necessary, for Jesus did not need repentance nor baptism. Jesus commanded it, for it demonstrates obedience to GOD. The water doesn't wash you from your sIn, nor does it save you, but it is a demonstration of our death, burial, and resurrection with Him. When He was baptized, in obedience to His Father, He demonstrated what was to come, and gave an example to all who will hear His Word.
We follow Him, and obey His Word, for He is Lord. We are baptized to demonstrate the Salvation in Him we already have because of our faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We demonstrate to those who witness it, that we are dead to the world, dead to sIn, and dead to ourselves, and alive in Christ, raised to walk in newness of life. A new creature in Christ, we are filled with the Spirit, equipped, encouraged, and exhorted to accomplish the work He has for us to do, and will do in and through us.
His workmanship, we are to minister to the hurting. We are His ambassadors, ministers of reconciliation to this lost and dying world. We are to grow in His Word, and in grace and the knowledge of Him through discipleship. We are to love one another that all will see that we are His disciples indeed. We are to take His message and live the Gospel we preach. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all we meet, that they may hear and believe, and believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness 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
When Jesus came, John at first did not feel worthy to baptize our Lord, nor did he think it was necessary, for Jesus did not need repentance nor baptism. Jesus commanded it, for it demonstrates obedience to GOD. The water doesn't wash you from your sIn, nor does it save you, but it is a demonstration of our death, burial, and resurrection with Him. When He was baptized, in obedience to His Father, He demonstrated what was to come, and gave an example to all who will hear His Word.
We follow Him, and obey His Word, for He is Lord. We are baptized to demonstrate the Salvation in Him we already have because of our faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. We demonstrate to those who witness it, that we are dead to the world, dead to sIn, and dead to ourselves, and alive in Christ, raised to walk in newness of life. A new creature in Christ, we are filled with the Spirit, equipped, encouraged, and exhorted to accomplish the work He has for us to do, and will do in and through us.
His workmanship, we are to minister to the hurting. We are His ambassadors, ministers of reconciliation to this lost and dying world. We are to grow in His Word, and in grace and the knowledge of Him through discipleship. We are to love one another that all will see that we are His disciples indeed. We are to take His message and live the Gospel we preach. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all we meet, that they may hear and believe, and believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness 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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