The Preaching of John Baptist

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 3:1-2

One must wonder why so many wish to change the gospel in this day and age. Of course, we know these people are men pleasers and the matter of their doctrine, if not salvation, is to be questioned. So many proclaimed preachers want more and more people to sit under their deceptive voices on Sunday rather than more and more righteous converts edifying the church. It seems that while these earthy men desire the numbers in their own manner, by diluting and changing the gospel so that it “appeals” to those “seeking” for religion, they have in fact over looked the truth that “none seeketh after God,” and that much more came to preaching of John than any modernist could imagine at his own assembly.

Some proclaiming Christians today may ask, “What kind of programs did he use?” None. “What kind of children’s church did he have?” None. “What kind of music did he use to get people to show up?” None that is recorded, however if anything were sung it would have without a doubt been a Psalm from scripture that would not have been to lure anyone. “Was there any kind of performance or play of any kind?” Supposing you are removed from the scene, a grown, weathered man dunking people under murky water might seem quite the show, yet I assure you that none were amused. This was a solemn event. The Jews had been oppressed by the Romans and their own Priests. Religion abounded but righteousness was naught to be found, and yet comes a preacher, as prophesied, convicting of sin, urging repentance, and proclaiming the Saviour. These three things did John the Baptist and the world ceased to move. At the cry of, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” all of Judea halted to hear the Word of God from a preacher.

“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

A modernist may find it astounding that the world would be turned upside down at the call to repentance. ”Surely,” he thinks, “they will turn away when he acknowledges their sins,” forgetting that it is the light of God revealing wickedness. So phenomenal was this that the Pharisees and Sadducees stopped praying aloud in the street corners. They removed from the upper rooms and silenced the trumpets announcing their parade to the altar. Of course, they had no reason to continue for no one remained to hear them and the Pharisee and Sadducee were dumbfounded without an audience. Thence they approached as well to hear the message of the preacher who stole away the people. Not sparing their hypocrisy, the gospel condemns all who teach falsely.

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
Matthew 3:7-9

John makes clear that unrighteousness will not escape the justice of God. A tree chooses not where it shall be planted. It has not the power to find sustenance for life. Its purpose is to bear fruit meet to its name. So it is for everyone, whether condemned or blessed. A tree without sustenance cannot produce good fruit. Jesus is the vine that giveth life. Think not that salvation is through the law and without Christ, for it is by grace, through faith, proven by fruits of repentance.