Baptism by John the Baptist - Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3; John 1.

Baptism by John the Baptist - Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3; John 1.
The purpose of John's Baptism is made clear by the message he proclaimed.  Matthew 3:1-3 :

"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, (1) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (2) For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (3) His message was to announce to Israel that the Lord Jesus was here, and that He was their King and Messiah. The correct translation of Matthew 3:2 would help clarify this...

"Repent (i.e., change your mind) for the Kingdom of THE HEAVENS is at hand." The Kingdom was at hand, or presented, because the King was present and at hand. It should be noted that the phrase "kingdom of heaven" is found approximately 38 times in the Bible, and only in the Gospel of Matthew. Without exception, it is used in reference to the glorious Kingdom Age, during which Christ will reign and rule as King of Kings, with absolute authority. Not only did Christ come to Israel, collectively, as their King; but also, individually, as their Savior, as Matthew 1:21 states...

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: FOR HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS." When the angel appeared to the shepherds at the birth of Christ, he told them Christ was their Savior, personally. In other words, each one, individually, was responsible for accepting Christ as his Savior.

"For unto you (the shepherds) is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." -Luke 2:11

Yes, He came as King to the nation of Israel; also, as a Savior to each individual Jew which composed that nation.  John the Baptist was preparing the way by introducing Christ as Israel's Messiah; while the Apostles would continue preparing the way to the Cross by their message and miracles.

"...Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: (5) But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (6) And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand."- Matthew 10:5-7

John's message was to lead individuals to Christ, and his baptism was to identify saved individuals, publicly, as a testimony of their faith.  Mark makes this comment about John in Mark 1:4...

"John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."

"Repentance" here is the Greek "METANOIA," and means "a change of mind for the remission of sins."  One may ask, "What sins?"  These are the sins resulting from the sin nature every person is born with, which manifest themselves as we grow up.  We do not become a sinner when we sin; to the contrary—we sin because we are born a sinner.  Romans 5:12 clarifies this...

"Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon ALL men, for that ALL have sinned."

Religion's way of remitting sins is to attempt justification of one's self by self righteousness.  The Jewish Pharisees were just such a group.  Christ, in addressing them, stated in Luke 16:15...

"And he said unto them, Ye are they which JUSTIFY YOURSELVES before men..."

One either becomes his "own Savior" by attempting self justification; or that person accepts God's Savior, which is Christ.  Those Jews, who believed John's preaching, changed their mind (repented) about their own righteousness, and accepted Christ as their Saviour.  Then, John baptized them as evidence of their faith and changed mind.  A paraphrase of Mark 1:4 would read this way...

"John did baptize in the wilderness, and preached that they should change their mind and accept Christ, for the remission of sins, then identify their faith, publicly, by water baptism." Should we not allow the Holy Spirit to direct us as he did John the Baptist? John proclaimed Christ as Savior in preparing the way to the Cross. Our responsibility is the same, as we prepare the way of the Lord toward His return at the Rapture, by our witnessing.