January 2, 2026
SCRIPTURE “Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:5–6 ESV). OBSERVATIONMatthew recorded that as John the Baptist preached a message of repentance, a remarkable movement took place among the people of
January 3, 2017
John the Baptist described his baptism as one of “water unto repentance.” Those who received John’s baptism were publicly confessing their sin and committing themselves to a changed life. Yet, John’s ministry was preparatory. His main purpose was not to baptize, but to prepare the way for the Christ that was coming after him. Those that received Christ would be baptized “with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Both water and fire are seen as symbols for the Spirit in the Bible. With the coming of Christ, a new covenant had arrived when believers would be washed in the cleansing water of the Holy Spirit, and purified within by the Spirit’s “refining fire” (Malachi 3:2).
November 27, 2011 | Matthew 3:11-17 |
Pastor Gary Combs concludes the Faith Foundations series with this message About Baptism. The main text for this message is Matthew 3:11-17 where John the Baptist baptizes Jesus. This message answers three important questions about baptism.