1. JOHN THE BAPTIST
What was his mission?

2. The Harbinger of Jesus Christ
A. John was to decrease. His mission field was the land of Israel—a specific people for a specific length of time.

3. John 3:25-27
Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purification. And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified--behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!"
John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

4. John 3:28-30
"You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.' He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease."

5. The Harbinger of Jesus Christ
A. John was to decrease. His mission field was the land of Israel—a specific people for a specific length of time.
B. The good news of salvation was not given until after the time of John.
1. It was spoken first by the Lord.

6. Hebrews 2:2-4
For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

7. The Harbinger of Jesus Christ
A. John was to decrease. His mission field was the land of Israel—a specific people for a specific length of time.
B. The good news of salvation was not given until after the time of John.
1. It was spoken first by the Lord.
2. It was not spoken until after John’s baptism.

8. Acts 10:34-35
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

9. Acts 10:36-38
"The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all-- that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

10. The Harbinger of Jesus Christ
A. John was to decrease. His mission field was the land of Israel—a specific people for a specific length of time.
B. The good news of salvation was not given until after the time of John.
1. It was spoken first by the Lord.
2. It was not spoken until after John’s baptism.
The gospel is God’s power to save.

11. Romans 1:14-16
I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

12. The Harbinger of Jesus Christ
A. John was to decrease. His mission field was the land of Israel—a specific people for a specific length of time.
B. The good news of salvation was not given until after the time of John.
1. It was spoken first by the Lord.
2. It was not spoken until after John’s baptism.
The gospel is God’s power to save.
It was not complete until after John’s death.

13. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.

14. 1 Corinthians 15:3-5
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

15. The Harbinger of Jesus Christ
C. The gospel is for all nations.

16. Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

17. The Harbinger of Jesus Christ
C. The gospel is for all nations.
1. One living today cannot find salvation in a ministry that ended at the cross of Jesus.
2. If we are practicing something in religion that was not taught to “all nations” by the apostles, our worship is vain.

18. Matthew 15:9
" 'And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "

19. Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

20. The Harbinger of Jesus Christ
C. The gospel was/is for all nations (Matt. 28:18,19).
1. One living today cannot find salvation in a ministry that ended at the cross of Jesus.
2. If we are practicing something in religion that was not taught to “all nations” by the apostles, our worship is vain.
3. The Lord’s Supper began at Pentecost.

21. Matthew 26:26-29
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

22. Acts 2:42; 20:7
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

23. The Harbinger of Jesus Christ
C. The gospel is for all nations.
1. One living today cannot find salvation in a ministry that ended at the cross of Jesus.
2. If we are practicing something in religion that was not taught to “all nations” by the apostles, our worship is vain.
3. The Lord’s Supper began at Pentecost.
4. God said He would give His people a “new name.” It was given after Pentecost.

24. Isaiah 62:1-2
For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the Lord will name.

25. Acts 11:25-26 [NKJV]
Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

26. Acts 11:25-26 [Interlinear/Nestle Text]
And he went forth to Tarsus to seek Saul, and finding brought to Antioch. And it happened to them also year a whole to be assembled in the church and to teach a crowd considerable, and to call firstly in Antioch the disciples Christians.

27. Acts 11:25-26 [Interlinear/Westcott-Hort Text]
He went out but into Tarsus to seek up Saul, and having found he led into Antioch. It occurred but to them and year whole to be led together in the ecclesia and to teach crowd sufficient, to style divinely and firstly in Antioch the disciples Christians.

28. Where Men Go Astray Today
His “name was John” not “Baptist.”
The word, “baptist,” simply means “one who immerses.”
Can you imagine “The First One Who Immerses Church of Corinth” or “the First One Who Immerses Church of Caesarea”?
He was John the baptist to distinguish him from John the apostle just as Simon the tanner was distinct from Simon the sorcerer.

29. Where Men Go Astray Today
Every Christian should be involved in the mission of making more Christians.
But one should also keep in mind that John’s mission was not to make Christians or Baptists but to bring the Jews back into a right relationship with God in preparation for the spiritual kingdom of God that was at hand.