John's Message about the Holy Spirit

John had a very special calling as the messenger of the Messiah. He was given understanding by God about the Messiah, and he knew something that most people didn't understand, that the Holy Spirit would be given to all who believe, and their bodies would become the new Temple of God. John said:

"I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost." - Mark 1:8
 

This is important because throughout history and up to this point the Holy Spirit would only come upon special people at certain times for special purposes, but the Holy Spirit would not live inside the believer until Jesus was resurrected from the dead. The Holy Spirit is the "Shekinah" Presence of God that dwelt in the holy of holies in Old Testament times. The Holy Spirit could not live in a body of sin unless that sin was cleansed by the blood of Jesus. John was given this understanding by the Lord, and his message must have been very peculiar to his listeners.

John the Baptist Appears, John Appears Preaching in the Wilderness, Prophecies about John the Baptist, John's Physical Appearance, People Came from all Around, John's Baptism of Repentance, John Condemns the Pharisees and Sadducees, John Condemns The Priests and Levites, John's Message about the Holy Spirit

 

John the Baptist Appears

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

The New Testament - A Brief Overview

The Beginning of John's Ministry Scriptures and Topics Covered: John Appears Preaching in the Wilderness (Mat 3:1-2; Mk 1:1; Lk 3:1-2). Prophecies About John the Baptist (Mat 3:3 Mk 1:2-3; Lk 3:4-6). John's Appearance (Mat 3:4; Mk 1:6). People Came From All Around (Mat 3:5; Mk 1:5). John's Baptism of Repentance (Mat 3:6 Mk 1:4; Lk 3:3-14). John and the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mat 3:7-10). John's Response to the Priest's and Levites (Jn 1:19-28) John's Message About The Holy Spirit (Mat 3:11-12; Mk 1:8).

"Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness." Luke 3:1-2

John Appears Preaching in the Wilderness

John the Baptist was born about 5 BC, and now about 26 A.D. about the age of 30 he appears in the wilderness of Judea. He was preaching to everyone that they should repent and turn from wickedness and prepare themselves for the coming of the Messiah. His message was a cry for repentance, that the time was at hand for people to prepare for the coming of the King.