John The Immerser

I thought I would write about John the Immerser (Baptizer) this morning because of the importance of the subject.  ‘What should we do,’ was the response from those who came to John to be immersed by him for repentance at the River Jorden.  The crowds asked what should we do, and John said if you have two coats let him give to the one who has none and the same with food, if you have give to those who have none.  To the tax collectors John said don’t take more than you should and to the soldiers he said don’t take anything by force, do not falsely accuse anyone and be content with your wages.  

In other words, John was saying show fruits of repentance, don’t just say I repent but do something to show your sincerity because many in the crowd were trying to justify themselves by saying that Abraham was their father thinking that would satisfy John.  But John responded to them by saying, you brood of vipers who warned you to flee from the coming wrath for I tell you from these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  John said even now the axe is laid at the root of the trees, so every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  

According to this, repentance is more than just words, but it is action and doing something to show that you have repented.  Repentance is making a conscious decision to turn from your sins and turn to the Lord and allow Him to be the Lord and Savior of your life, making every effort to turn from your old life and walk in your new life, honoring the Lord.  

When a person truly repents and confesses their sins and asks the Lord to forgive their sins and becomes born-again, this is what takes place, read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

This is so important that Jesus talked about it when He started to minister to the people in His day when He walked the earth.  And when Peter preached to the people in Acts 2:36-41, he also preached about repentance, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’ And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

I know this may not be a popular message but it is important and I realize that after Jesus was crucified and buried and rose again we are not immersed (baptized) for our sins, but we are cleansed through the precious blood of Jesus, by grace we have been saved through faith, but it is still important to be baptized, symbolizing the death to ourselves and the resurrection from the dead.

This reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 10:38, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me,” and Matthew 16:24-26, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’”

I don’t think that people elaborate on the word repentance enough.  It is hard for me to believe that someone could be saved and not be sorry for the sins that they have committed.  It says this in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”   

Enough said, I think you got the message.  I thank the Lord for His unconditional love, grace and mercy and the ministry of reconciliation that Jesus made possible at the cross!!  Without His sacrifice we would all still be lost and still be in our sins, separated from the Lord!!  I personally praise you Lord and I thank you for what You willingly suffered so that we could be forgiven and cleansed and washed in the precious blood of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ!!  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you all have a blessed day!!  Don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord for He is worthy!!