John The Baptist.
“John the Baptist came preaching in the Wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, because the Kingdom of heaven has come near!” For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah.”
The Family, Birth And Lifestyle Of John The Baptist.
John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah, a Jewish priest of the division of Abijah. And Elizabeth of the daughters of Aaron and cousin to Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus. They lived in the days of Herod, king of Judea.
His parents were old, and Elizabeth was barren. But by divine intervention in answer to prayers: John the Baptist was born.
John was filled with the Holy Spirit in his mother’s womb; he neither drank wine nor beer. His food was Locusts with wild honey. And his cloth was of Carmel’s hair with a belt of leather.
And he preached in the Wilderness where people from all works of life, rich and poor, came to hear him.
The Mission And Ministry Of John The Baptist.
” A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight.”
John the Baptist was the apostle to the first coming of Christ. His mission was to lead Israel to Christ by preparing them for Christ first coming.
He was to identify Christ and reveal Him to Israel. Then to bring forth the good seed from the people. And lastly, to prepare the “good seed” to meet and be with the Lord. (Please note that “good seed” refers to mature believers).
His ministry consisted of preaching, training his disciples and baptising the people with water.
The Apostolic Message Of John.
John’s message was, “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” However, they also consisted of several teachings.
He taught on repentance. John believed that repentance is God’s provision for restoring the relationship between God and man broken by sin. So he taught the people to turn away from sin to turn to God.
John the Baptist also taught that there is a Kingdom of God and a kingdom of darkness.
And he believed and taught on the coming judgement.
John also believed in fruit-bearing or producing good works. He taught that sanctification is not based on old life or Israel’s ancestry as Abraham’s children. But on the new life received from Christ, as is figured in water baptism.
John believed in eternal life, the knowledge of God and Christ. So he revealed Christ to the people of Israel.
And he also believed in the teaching of Faith in Christ, so he built up the people’s faith as he revealed to them the things Christ came to do.
John taught on the great harvest.
And he taught on the baptism with the Holy Spirit and Fire.
Finally, John the Baptist believed and taught about the new creation, referring to them as the true children of Abraham.
The Death Of John The Baptist.
Like his birth, John’s death was also dramatic. He was first arrested and thrown into a dungeon for preaching against Herod and Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother. Then at Herod’s birthday celebration, the daughter of Herodias sent by Herodias demanded John’s head on a platter. And for the sake of his oaths and to avoid embarrassment, Herod commanded his servants to give the girl the head of John on a platter. Thus in this way, John the Baptist died.
Conclusion.
John’s mission was successful! Because some of Christ’s disciples were the seed that he (John the Baptist) brought forth.