Chapter Three John The Baptist Announces The King Matthew 3:1-17 Ref. Note Page 996_1 and 997_1 A. The Background Of John: Matthew 3:1 1. His parents: See Luke 1:5-25. 2. His birth: (Note: his conception and birth were supernatural as was Isaac's - Genesis 21:1-8 compared with Romans 4:16-21; Ref. Genesis 21:1-8; Romans 4:16-21). 3. His surroundings: the wilderness. 4. His position: a prophet. a. John is the first prophet in 400 years The first to appear in Israel since Malachi prophesied as the last Old Testament prophet. (400 years between the Old and New Ttestament.) b. Malachi foretold that Elijah would be one to announce the coming of the King: See Malachi 4:5. c. Because Israel would reject their King, John the Baptist was chosen Chosen by God to play the role of Elijah. In this way the offer of the Kingdom of Heaven to Israel would be a real offer. d. The next offer of the Kingdom of Heaven to Israel will be given by Elijah himself: See Revelation 11:3-12. Elijah and Moses are the two witnesses. e. See Matthew 11:7-13 f. John would have been 30 ˝ years old when he began preaching. He was 6 months older than his Cousin, the Lord Jesus who began His ministry at 30 years of age (See Luke 3:23). B. The Two Kingdoms: Matthew 3:2 1. The Kingdom of Heaven: a. This is a physical kingdom of real people reigned over by a real King with a literal location. b. The Kingdom of Heaven is a literal kingdom reigned over by King Jesus. c. The Kingdom of Heaven is a kingdom pertaining to the nation of Israel. It is a Jewish kingdom. d. It is important not to confuse the Kingdom of Heaven with the Church Age or with Gentiles. e. Matthew deals largely with the Jews, their King rejected, the constitution of the Jewish Kingdom, etc. 2. The Kingdom of God: a. This is the spiritual kingdom headed by the King, the Lord Jesus Christ. b. This kingdom is invisible. It is the kingdom into which we are born again as a Jew or a Gentile. c. See John 3:5. d. "Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. "Pilate there fore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." (John 18:36-37 KJB) e. He is referring to the Kingdom of God the spiritual kingdom over which He is also King. f. It is critical to correct understanding of the Bible to have these two kingdoms clear in our minds. Hopeless confusion will result if the two kingdoms are not clearly understood. g. The subject of Matthew is the Kingdom of Heaven. A literal, physical kingdom with people who can fight literal enemies headed up by a military King, The Lord Jesus Christ. (See Revelation 19:11-16 for a picture of the Kingdom of Heaven. ( See Note Page 1348_3, ) h. This Kingdom is rejected in the Book of Matthew. C. John's Message: Matthew 3:2-3. 1. The call to the people of Israel was to repent. Repentance is a godly sorrow for sin with a corresponding turning from that sin to obedience to the Lord's commands. 2. Israel's sin A sin of which they need to repent goes all the way back to the time of Samuel when the people of Israel rejected God from being their King. Instead they wanted a human king. God gave them Saul who led them into disobedience. 3. "And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." (1 Samuel 8:7 KJB). 4. Read carefully 1 Samuel 8:1-22. 5. Isaiah gives them the promise of a renewed Kingdom with the Lord as their King. Matthew quotes Isaiah 40:1-5 in Matthew 3:3. 6. Note: God laid out the book of Isaiah in the same manner as the Bible is laid out. The Bible has 66 Books– Isaiah has 66 chapters. The Old Testament has 39 Books-Isaiah has 39 chapters closing with Israel in disobedience. Malachi, the 39th book of the Old Testament pictures Israel in disobedience. Isaiah 40 begins with the ministry of John the Baptist as does the New Testament The Bible closes (66th book) with a new heaven and a new earth-Rev. 22. Isaiah chapter 66 ends with the blessings of a new kingdom. 7. Read Jeremiah 31:1-40 Read how John the Baptist was sent to preach repentance to Israel before the Lord will bring in His Kingdom. 8. Unfortunately, the leaders of Israel refuse to repent. Therefore, they reject God's next offer of the King and the Kingdom of Heaven. 9. The next time God's offers Israel the Kingdom, it will be accepted. This is the Millennial reign of Christ in His Kingdom of Heaven He brings to pass. Revelation 20:4-21:1-2. 10. Read Zechariah 12:10; 13:1,9; 14:4,7 D. John's Appearance, Food & Location: Matthew 3:4-5. 1. Note: the appearances of Elijah and John are similar. 2. Both would be called rugged "mountain men" in our day. 3. "And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite." (2 Kings 1:8 KJB). 4. Both men are to present the King to Israel; Both men minister to types of the anti-Christ (Ahab & Herod); both men are killed (Matthew 14:10; Revelation 11:7). 5. The Hebrews reject the offer of the Kingdom under John. But will accept it under the ministry of Elijah. 6. John ministers in Jerusalem, Judaea and in Jordan. E. John's Baptism: Matthew 3:6 1. Please note, John's baptism was for a totally different reason than believers in the church age are baptized. 2. In the Church age believers are baptized to show that they have repented of their sins And they have received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Baptism does not save us, but is a step of obedience to show that we have been identified with Christ in His death, burial and His resurrection. This baptism includes Jews as well as Gentiles providing they are "saved. " We could call our baptism, he "Kingdom of God" baptism, showing we are a member of Christ's invisible kingdom of God. 3. John baptized Jews only. They were to repent of their sins and the sins of their forefathers for rejecting God as their King and rejection of His Kingdom of Heaven. 4. If they repented of this rejection, they were to give evidence of this repentance by being baptized in water. This included the promises to accept the King when He appeared and accept His Kingdom of Heaven. 5. Peter introduced another baptism in Acts 2:38. The nation of Israel has rejected their King once again. When Peter reached to them this truth, the Jewish people asked what they should do about rejecting their King and His Kingdom. Peter then tells them, "Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38 KJB) 6. Note: The Jews are to repent of rejecting Jesus as their King and His Kingdom of Heaven; They are to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for He is the One they rejected as King. Then their sins will be remitted (the sins of rejecting their King) and they will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. F. Note then: The three forms of baptism: 1. John's baptism: Requirements: repent of rejecting God and His Theocracy (Kingdom); promise to accept the King when He comes and offers the Jews their Kingdom of Heaven. 2. Peter's Baptism: Requirements: Once again the Jews have rejected their King and His Kingdom of Heaven. Now what are they to do? They are to repent of rejecting their Messiah and King. They are to give outward evidence that they have repented of their rejection by being baptized in water. Carefully read Acts 2:22-38. 3. Believer's Baptism: For Jews and Gentiles alike who will repent of their sins, believe that Jesus Christ died for them, was buried and rose again 72 hours later. After calling on the Lord to save them, they are born into the Kingdom of God. After being saved, then they are baptized in water to give public acknowledgment of their salvation. Romans 10:9-13; Acts 9:26-40. G. John's Reaction To The Religious Leaders: Matthew 3:7 1. The Pharisees and Sadducees were religious leaders. 2. Who were the Pharisees and what did they do. 3. Sadducee: a member of an ancient Jewish party, Representing the ruling hierarchy, that accepted only the written law and rejected the oral, or traditional, law They were opposed to the Pharisees. They did not believe in the resurrection or in angels: "For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both." (Acts 23:8 KJB). 4. John called them a "generation of vipers." Micah foretold of the generation of wicked people whom God would judge as serpents: "They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee." (Micah 7:17 KJB). 5. When John warns them of the "wrath to come." He is referring to such places as Revelation 6:16-17 KJB, "And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" H. The Fact Of Repentance: Matthew 3:8 1. Note: none of the Pharisees or Sadducees repented or were baptized. They were self-righteous. The Pharisees were primarily responsible for the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ . 2. If they are right with God as they pretended, they would have repented. They would have been baptized and brought forth fruit of that action. 3. Note the word, "meet." This is a very expressive word in the King James Bible. It means to be equal to or to compliment each other. If the Pharisees are righteous, then they should be bringing forth fruit that is equal to their profession. Instead they were plotting how to kill their King and Messiah. 4. It is interesting that God used this word to describe Eve. She was to be Adam's "helpmeet," Genesis 2:18 I. John Exposes Their Failure: Matthew 3:9 1. They believed that because they came from Abraham, they were right with God for that reason alone. 2. If they were really of Abraham, they would have brought forth the fruit of their relationship. 3. Jesus told the Pharisees the same truth in John 8:39, "They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham." (John 8:39 KJB). 4. Note the Deity of Christ: He could raise up stones to worship Him if He so desired. He prefers men and women to worship Him willingly. J. John Reveals The Judgment That Faces Them: Matthew 3:10 1. John continues the idea of bearing fruit. He uses the analogy of a fruit tree. 2. If a fruit tree refuses to bear fruit it is cut down and burned. 3. The Pharisees were like dead fruit trees waiting for the axe to cut them down and burn them. 4. Jesus used the same thought: See Matthew 7:16-20. K. John Continues The Punishment Facing Them: Matthew 3:11-12. 1. John baptized those who truly repented Matthew 3:11. 2. John speaks of the Lord who is mightier then himself. John felt he was not worthy to carry the shoes of Jesus, Matthew 3:11. 3 . Rather than baptize with water, the King will baptize them with the Holy Ghost and fire, Matthew 3:11. This gives us the two ministries of Christ: Baptism with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:5) and the baptism of fire. 4. The Lord Jesus Christ will baptize unsaved sinners with fire when He comes as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 5. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." 6. Matthew 3:12 continues this awesome baptism with fire. The wheat is a picture of those who are right with God. The chaff is a picture of unsaved sinners. The wheat will be taken Home to the "barn." The unsaved sinners at His Second Coming will be burned as chaff and then put in the Lake of Fire forever. 7. Read Matthew 25:41; Revelation 16:8-11; 19:20; 20:9,14-15; 2 Peter 3:10-13. 8. No sane person seeks the baptism with fire . It is important that we know the language of the Bible, not what someone thinks the Bible should say L. The Baptism Of Jesus: Matthew 3:13-17. 1. Note: His baptism is given in all four Gospels. 2. Jesus comes to where John is baptizing Jews who will repent of rejecting their King and promise to receive Him when He comes. 3. The location is at Bethabara (John 1:28). Bethabara means: "The House of Crossing." This is place where Israel crossed the Jordan River as they entered into the land. See Joshua Chapter 3. 4. Note: Each Gospel writer gives additional information about what they have been chosen to record. These are not contradictions, but additional truth given from a different perspective. 5. John shrunk from baptizing his Lord: Matthew 3:14. 6. Jesus insisted that John baptize Him. Matthew 3:15. Note the Bible word "suffer." This is the right word. It means the giving of permission to do something with the corresponding willingness to bear the consequences. Permitting or allowing some things many times causes suffering. 7. Note: Jesus used the same word in Mark 10:14 KJB "But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." It takes some "suffering" to get children ready for church. 8. Note a picture of the Trinity: Matthew 3:16-17 See Ref. Note Page 997. The Father is in Heaven speaking; the Holy Spirit is descending in the form of a dove; while Jesus is in the water. 9. Other references to the Trinity: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." (1 John 5:7 KJB). See Genesis 1:27; 11:5-7, to name a few. 10. You might wonder why Jesus wanted to be baptized. He certainly had no sin; He was the King; His Father was pleased with Jesus (Matthew 3:17). 11. The answer is that Jesus always obeyed He obeyed every commandment and everything He asked others to do. Again we are confronted with the fact that baptism is not mandatory It is a step of obedience. 12. Jesus kept every Old Testament feast for example. He kept every law that was given in the Old Testament He was obedient to every command of His Father. Although Jewish leaders accused Him of breaking the law, they were wrong. What happened was, they had added laws to their religious ritual that God had never given. No one was obligated before God to keep these man made religious rules. 13. Notice in the Trinity: Each personality has a function. God the Father is revealed to us as a Father. Jesus Christ, equally God, is revealed to us as the only begotten Son; while the Third Person of the Trinity is know as the Holy Ghost (Spirit). 14. Man, who was originally made in the image of God is also a trinity. We are souls, living in a body with a spirit. Note in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJB, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 15. Note also Genesis 2:7, Body from dust; breath, spirit and man became a living soul.