Gary Sullivan
Member
- Sep 25, 2017
- 48
- 9
I have decided to post some of my friend's studies instead of mine, his name is Dr Stephen Angel.
I was going to look at the 2 passages in the Old Testament which prophesied of an unnamed forerunner before Jesus within their context but there is no time. Suffice to say that Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1 prophesied that an unnamed man would prepare the way for the LORD,; both passages identify the person being preceded by HIS prophet as GOD HIMSELF. The rabbis of old interpreted these passages as being Messianic.Mark 1:2-4 quoted both these passages as being fulfilled by John.
From Matthew 3:1-6, Mark 1:2-6 and Luke 3:3-6 we can identify that the message, and note the need to study all 3 gospels, he gave to the children of Israel was threefold the first part of his message was REPENT YE in Matthew 3:2. The term REPENT does not mean "to be sorry for sins" nor is it something we do as so often preached today. REPENT in both the Hebrew word SHUV and the Greek word METANOIA means " to change your mind". In this context, this means those John is preaching to must change their minds from that which is untrue to that which is true. In this way repentance is faith, never, never a work, for salvation is by Grace through faith plus nothing.
The Baptizer points out in these gospels that the motivation for repentance is because God has arrived and to reject HIM will invite HIS wrath. We also see that the result of true repentance is a changed life, at least in some areas, as seen in Luke 3:10-14. In these few verses, we see how those once solely preoccupied with self now are concerned for others by sharing possessions and treating others with respect.
I was going to look at the 2 passages in the Old Testament which prophesied of an unnamed forerunner before Jesus within their context but there is no time. Suffice to say that Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1 prophesied that an unnamed man would prepare the way for the LORD,; both passages identify the person being preceded by HIS prophet as GOD HIMSELF. The rabbis of old interpreted these passages as being Messianic.Mark 1:2-4 quoted both these passages as being fulfilled by John.
From Matthew 3:1-6, Mark 1:2-6 and Luke 3:3-6 we can identify that the message, and note the need to study all 3 gospels, he gave to the children of Israel was threefold the first part of his message was REPENT YE in Matthew 3:2. The term REPENT does not mean "to be sorry for sins" nor is it something we do as so often preached today. REPENT in both the Hebrew word SHUV and the Greek word METANOIA means " to change your mind". In this context, this means those John is preaching to must change their minds from that which is untrue to that which is true. In this way repentance is faith, never, never a work, for salvation is by Grace through faith plus nothing.
The Baptizer points out in these gospels that the motivation for repentance is because God has arrived and to reject HIM will invite HIS wrath. We also see that the result of true repentance is a changed life, at least in some areas, as seen in Luke 3:10-14. In these few verses, we see how those once solely preoccupied with self now are concerned for others by sharing possessions and treating others with respect.