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| The bread of Life |
The Preaching of John the Baptist
1 Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3 For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, "THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT !' " 4 Now John himself had a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist ; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan ; 6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers,who warned you to flee from the wrath to come ? 8 "Therefore bear fruit in keeping withrepentance ; 9 and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father '; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 10"The axe is already laid at the root of the trees ; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruitis cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals ; He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 "His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor ; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff withunquenchable fire."
Summary
The first "Baptist" show in bible is at Matthew 3:1. Is Baptist a new ritual practice in New Testament?
Refer to a few relevant contexts in New Testament , it shows that baptism did take place in Old testament. And from the finding, we can say Baptism = Circumcision. And we know that circumcision is actually a type of practise to represent the Covenant between God and Abraham. This means that once we were baptised via holy spirit and water, we do inherit the Covenant! The best contract in the world! What a great news when I found out this. Every single word in Bible represent the promise and goodness of God. Lord, thanks for showing me this promise.
Why the Gospels mention that John the baptist wearing camel's hair garment? Refer to 2 Kings 1:8 , this attire represent Elijah ( Malachi 4: 1-6), which shows the prophecy were fulfilled. But why John the Baptist denied himself as Elijah while actually Jesus said he is? Besides Jesus there too other verse in bible speaks that John the Baptist is the one who sent by God to prepare the hearts of men before Messiah. This is another long and deep discussion. Hmmm..
Any how, from the context again it confirm us the identity of Jesus. He is the long waited Messiah. My Saviour :)
Any how, from the context again it confirm us the identity of Jesus. He is the long waited Messiah. My Saviour :)
