Opening the Road to the Kingdom of God預覽

JOHN THE BAPTIST – JESUS’ HARBINGER OR THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE OLD AND THE NEW COVENANT

MAIN IDEAS

• John is the one who prepares JESUS’ path by introducing a “new era”.

• The one dubbed ‘the Baptist’ makes it clear that the act of baptism must occur following sincere repentance when the person is an adult, as this is a personal decision that each person makes for their own life.

• John the Baptist explains that GOD sees man’s heart. We cannot fool ourselves with an outer religious appearance.

• The clue to real repentance is the fact that those who repent are interested and eager to find out how they are supposed to live their lives after being baptized.

• John’s steadiness and humility.

• John also introduces the reality of Heaven and Hell, in a clear albeit indirect, way.

• John makes it clear that he begins with baptism in water, but that JESUS, who comes from Heaven, will continue his path, introducing His baptism with the HOLY SPIRIT and fire!

John the Baptist was the messenger of God, sent before JESUS. His mission was short and limited. He preached repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The need to be forgiven and to live a life that pleases GOD stirred profound seeking and waiting for GOD in people. He also anticipated the fact that the KINGDOM OF GOD was near and that it would come soon. His message reached many people and even some of the religious leaders of the time accepted his baptism. The tendency to turn this into a mass phenomenon led to insincere acts of baptism and to dishonest people who would have no true dedication when joining this popular religious movement initiated by John the Baptist. John is not fooled by these hypocrites and confronts them, thus helping them be more honest with themselves and with GOD. John the Baptist is GOD’s messenger, who prepared our world for a new stage that would come in the divine plan for the salvation of man – the coming of the King and of the KINGDOM OF GOD. In the end, he paid with his life for his passion, his courage, and his nonconforming approach, in total submissiveness to GOD, in a tragic and untimely end.
On His arrival, JESUS would declare John the greatest prophet, who had ended the ERA of the OLD COVENANT, brought by Moses, and who opened the ERA of the NEW COVENANT, introduced and lived by JESUS CHRIST, throughout the 33 years spent on our planet.