John the Baptizer

What can we learn from the life of John the Baptizer?

Background

• Name – John• Reference – the baptizer• Not his last name• Not “Baptist” • Not head of a denomination• Not his religious views

Characteristics

• Self-denial • And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Matthew 3:4

• Did he eat bugs?• Bread from locust beans• Bread and honey diet

Characteristics

• Self-denial• Courage

• But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Matthew 3:7

• Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Matthew 14:4

Characteristics

• Self-denial• Courage• Obedience

• But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. Matthew 3:15

Characteristics

• Self-denial• Courage• Obedience• Preacher

• John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4

Characteristics

• Self-denial• Courage• Obedience• Preacher• Humility

• And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. Mark 1:7

Characteristics

• Self-denial• Courage• Obedience• Preacher• Humility• Holiness

• for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Mark 6:20

Characteristics• Self-denial• Courage• Obedience• Preacher• Humility• Holiness• Honored by

Christ

• "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:11

Characteristics• Self-denial• Courage• Obedience• Preacher• Humility• Holiness• Honored by

Christ• No miracles

• Then many came to Him and said, "John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true." John 10:41

Names • John - And he asked for a writing tablet, and

wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. Luke 1:63

• Elijah - He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:17

Doctrines to Learn from John

• John’s baptism was temporary• The ONLY difference in John’s

baptism and ours – the direction of their faith– They looked forward to a coming Christ– We believe that Christ has come

Doctrines to Learn from John

• John’s baptism was temporary• Acts 19:1-5

– Burial in water– Based on their faith– Repentance required

• Only issue was the direction of their faith

Doctrines to Learn from John

• Marriage laws supersede church• 3 For Herod had laid hold of John and

bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. 4 Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Matthew 14:3-4

Doctrines to Learn from John

• John contrasted with Christ• John – wilderness, camel’s hair

and leather, away from society, no miracles

• Jesus – In city, social events (dinners, weddings), many miracles, common clothes

Doctrines to Learn from John

• Baptism for the remission of sins• John came baptizing in the wilderness

and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4

• And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, Luke 3:3

Doctrines to Learn from John

• Baptism for the remission of sins• The ONLY difference in John’s

baptism and ours – the direction of their faith– They looked forward to a coming Christ– We believe that Christ has come