Repentance
Why did John the Baptist preach repentance? Let’s discuss Matthew 3:1-12.
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, …” (Matthew 3:1-2a ESV)
The meaning here is “a change of heart,” both a one-time event and a lifestyle. Why did John preach repentance?
“… because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” (Matthew 3:2b HCSB)
The kingdom of heaven is announced where Israel crossed the Jordan to become a kingdom on earth. John prepared the way for the Lord near an international trade route.
He was the one of whom Isaiah the prophet spoke when he said: The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.” (Matthew 3:3 CEB)
How did he live?
John wore clothes made of camel's hair. He had a leather strap around his waist and ate grasshoppers and wild honey. (Matthew 3:4 CEV)
Who came to John?
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. (Matthew 3:5-6 KJV)
Did John preach to religious leaders?
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance” (Matthew 3:7-8 NASB)
What accompanies true repentance?
… repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. (Acts 26:20b NKJV)
What is an example of such good works?
And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells them, “Go in peace. Be warmed and filled;” yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. (James 2:15-17 WEB)
What happens if we don’t bear fruit?
And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:9-10 NIV)
Does good fruit involve emotions alone or are deeds involved?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV)
Does fruitfulness involve good works?
… walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10 NASB)
Is there more to baptism?
I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:11 NIV)
Were people baptized with fire on Pentecost?
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. (Acts 2:3 NKJV)
Will others be baptized in a lake of fire?
And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15 NLT)
What does the lake of fire do?
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:12 WEB)
Jesus spoke more about hell than any other in the entire Bible. Should we preach pleasant flattery?
They tell the seers, "Stop seeing visions!" They tell the prophets, "Don't tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies.” (Isaiah 30:10 NLT)
Should we also preach repentance and the kingdom of God? You decide!
Baptism
Let’s explore the mystery of baptism in Matthew 3:13-17. Did Jesus set us an example?
At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River so that John would baptize him. John tried to stop him and said, “I need to be baptized by you, yet you come to me?” (Matthew 3:13-14 CEB)
Why did Jesus humbly submit to baptism?
Jesus answered, “For now this is how it should be, because we must do all God wants us to do.” Then John agreed. (Matthew 3:15 CEV)
Was it deep or just ankle deep?
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him (Matthew 3:16 ESV)
What was God’s reaction to Jesus’ baptism?
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17 KJV)
Baptize can mean to wash (Mark 7:4; Luke 11:38; Acts 22:16), the Holy Spirit being poured out (Joel 2:28–29; Acts 10:44-45), washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5), sprinkling as a spiritual cleansing (Ezekiel 36:25; Hebrews 10:22), or walking dry shod through the sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-4).
Baptism pictures a new beginning (1 Corinthians 10:2, 1 Peter 3:20-21), Jesus’ suffering (Luke 12:50), being buried with Him (Colossians 2:12) [not buried down in the ground, but sideways in a crypt] and washing away our sins (Mark 7:4; Titus 3:5). The Bible is vague as to the mode of baptism, perhaps deliberately.
What is mandated? Water is mandated (John 3:5; Acts 10:47). Invoking the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is mandated (Matthew 28:19) but the mode and age of baptism are not, anywhere, and are therefore non-essentials of our common faith.
Baptism is the initiatory rite into our journey from the kingdoms of this world into the kingdom of God.Should we obey the New Testament message of repentance and faith? Repentance begins in a change of heart and mind, but reveals itself in a living faith of obedience to Christ, a life turned from sin to God. Have you repented and believed the good news of God’s reign? You decide!
