Repentance VI

Repentance Part VI

Repentance Part VI

The Preaching of John the Baptist

Matthew 3:1-12

King James Version (KJV)

3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

² And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

³ 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.

⁴ And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

⁵ Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

⁶ And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 

⁷ 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?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

⁹ 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.

¹⁰ 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.

¹¹ I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

¹² Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Definition:  Repent: (Gr. Metanoeo) means a change of mind that results in a change of behavior, lifestyle, or conduct. 

Repentance is not just sorrow.  Repentance is complete change of attitude toward sin and complete reverence toward God and his holy character.  Repentance is accompanied by sorrow for one’s sins along with a change in conduct.   Both Jesus and John the Baptist came preaching: Repent.  (Matthew 3:2, 8; Matthew 4:17*)

Verse 9  Apparently, the Jews believed, since they were ethnic Jews, despite their unrighteous life styles, they could inherit the kingdom of God.  They professed they were children of Abraham.  The argument in Luke 3 and Matthew 3, is made clear by John the Baptist, verse 9, “God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham”.  Just because they were born Jews did not automatically make them children of Abraham, the father of Faith.  Abraham was righteous in God’s eyes. 

When God looks at you, does he see righteousness or unrighteousness? 

Verses 8-10 of Matthew Chapter 3:

John the Baptist had already rebuked them, requesting they show evidence of “fruits meet for repentance”. In Luke 3 it clarifies this account, as the people asked, “Master, what shall we do?”   Are you bringing forth fruit meet for repentance in your life?

Luke 3:8-14

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin 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.

⁹ And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

¹⁰ And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

¹¹ He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat (food), let him do likewise.

¹² Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

¹³ And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

¹⁴ And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

The word is a self-examination tool, as you study the scriptures above, what comes to your mind that you need to repent of? 

(Publican: The class designated by this word in the New Testament were employed as collectors of the Roman revenue. The Roman senate farmed the vectigalia (direct taxes) and the portorin (customs) to capitalists who undertook to pay a given sum into the treasury (in publicum), and so received the name of publicani. Contracts of this kind fell naturally into the hands of the equites, as the richest class of Romans.

They appointed managers, under whom were the portitores, the actual custom-house officers, who examined each bale of goods, exported or imported, assessed its value more or less arbitrarily, wrote out the ticket, and enforced payment. The latter were commonly natives of the province in which they were stationed as being brought daily into contact with all classes of the population. The name pubicani was used popularly, and in the New Testament exclusively, of the portitores. The system was essentially a vicious one.

The portitores were encouraged in the most vexatious or fraudulent exactions and a remedy was all but impossible. They overcharged whenever they had an opportunity, (Luke 3:13) they brought false charges of smuggling in the hope of extorting hush-money (Luke 19:8) they detained and opened letters on mere suspicion. It was the basest of all livelihoods. All this was enough to bring the class into ill favor everywhere. In Judea and Galilee there were special circumstances of aggravation. The employment brought out all the besetting vices of the Jewish character. The strong feeling of many Jews as to the absolute unlawfulness of paying tribute at all made matters worse.

The scribes who discussed the question, (Matthew 22:15) for the most part answered it in the negative. In addition to their other faults, accordingly, the publicans of the New Testament were regarded as traitors and apostates, defiled by their frequent intercourse with the heathen, willing tools of the oppressor. The class thus practically excommunicated furnished some of the earliest disciples both of the Baptist and of our Lord. The position of Zacchaeus as a "chief among the publicans," (Luke 19:2) implies a gradation of some kind among the persons thus employed.) Source: Smith’s Bible Dictionary

As you can see, the preaching of Repentance is for every person, class, religious background, and nationality. Your occupation doesn’t matter either, Repentance is for all.  As you can see from the verses above in Luke 3:8-14, “Repentance” is a total change in your lifestyle when you see someone who is need of food and clothing, provide it for them, don’t steal from the poor in the name of your job, don’t do violence to anyone, do not accuse any falsely (do not lie); and be content with your wages.

Luke 19:1-10 Zaccheus was an rich Jewish chief tax collector, who exacted more taxes on the people than was appointed.  Zaccheus confession reveals a repented heart bringing forth fruit meet for repentance. Zaccheus knew the law of Moses, but as with so many people of that day and of today, know the word, but are not doers of the Word. It’s time to Repent. It’s time to be a doer of the Word of God.  Are you a doer of the Word of God?

Publicans were considered to be sinners by the Pharisees, so when Jesus decided to have dinner with the chief publican, Zaccheus, the Pharisees murmured against Jesus.  However, salvation was come to Zaccheus a Son of Abraham, because Jesus has come to seek and save that which is lost.  When Zaccheus repented, he said to Jesus he would give half of his goods to the poor and would restore fourfold to those whom he falsely accused.  (See Leviticus 6:1-5; Exodus 22:1)

Jesus and Zaccheus:

Luke 19:1-10

King James Version (KJV)

19 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

² And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

³ And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

⁴ And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

⁶ And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

⁷ And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

⁸ And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

⁹ And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

¹⁰ For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Zacchaeus was a backslider, one that once served God, but had gone astray after filthy lucre.  Now Jesus himself brings salvation to this lost son of Abraham. 

If you have gone astray from the Lord, you too, can return to him. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. If you have never known him, he can become your Lord and Savior.

 

 1 Timothy 6:9-11

King James Version (KJV)

⁹ But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (Money is not evil; the love of money is the root of all evil)

¹¹ But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Matthew 3:

¹⁰ 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.

¹¹ I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

¹² Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

When you do not bring forth good fruit the axe is laid to the root of the tree (you are the tree) and you are hewn (cut) down and cast into the fire (hell).  John plainly preaches he baptizes with water unto repentance, but Jesus will come and baptize with the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit, Comforter, and the Spirit of Truth) and with fire.  Now there are some religions that misquote this scripture saying, I’m saved, sanctified, baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire.  No you are baptized with one or the other.  Those that are baptized with the Holy Ghost belong to Christ and those that are baptized with fire will spend eternity in hell fire. Look at verse 12; he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. That’s hell fire, which will never be quenched. 

Mark 9:43-45

King James Version (KJV)

⁴³ And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

⁴⁴ Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

⁴⁵ And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:


Conclusion:

Jesus has given us an opportunity to Repent and receive salvation through him. He came to seek and save that which was lost.  Repent of your sins, confess them, be baptized in water and be baptized with the Holy Ghost.  

A couple of key scriptures: “John 14:15-17; 26” and “Acts 2:38-39”

 

Which brings us to our next Study on the


Baptism of the “Holy Ghost”/ “Holy Spirit”.

Which will begin July 1, 2014.

You’ll learn about the Holy Ghost in the Old Testament, His purpose in the New Testament,

Fulfillment of prophesy, and his mission in your life.

 

I pray this study on “Repentance” has been a blessing to you.  Remember, repentance is not a one-time thing, it is ongoing in the life of a Christian, and it is not a license to sin.  As you discover things in your life that are not Christ like, simply repent and grow in Christ.

Minister Waters

Churches, Bible Study groups, etc., that would like Evangelist Waters to speak at your church, bible study, conference, women’s ministry, special program, etc.  Please contact Minister Waters on her website listed below, on the “Speaking Engagements Page”.

Join us on July 1, 2014

For our next Bible Study

 The Baptism of the“Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit”

 

Contact Evangelist Waters:
www.PureGoldEvangelisticMinistries.com

Follow my Bible Study Blog: 
www.PureGoldMinistries.blogspot.com

Follow the Weekly Prayer Blog:
www.PureGoldEvangelisticMinistriesPrayer.blogspot.com