168 - Les Feldick Bible Study Lesson 3 - Part 4 - Book 14 - Matthew 1 - John the Baptist

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 3 * PART 4 * BOOK 14 INTRODUCTION TO NEW TESTAMENT CONTINUED: MATTHEW 1 - JOHN THE BAPTIST Let me show you a verse in Hebrews Chapter 9. Hebrews 9:7-9 The Greek word translated "washing" is "Baptismos." Ephesians 5:26 "That he (Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it (He's talking about the Body of Christ, the Church, back in verse 25) with the washing of water by (baptism? The Bible is our cleansing vehicle. It's the Word that cleanses. Now back to Matthew Chapter 3. So John the Baptist is preaching repentance and baptism because the King and the Kingdom are on the scene. The King is ready to fulfill the Covenant promises of being Israel's King. Now verse 11: Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance (they are tied together): but he that cometh after me (speaking of Christ) is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he (Christ) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" The Holy Spirit Baptism is found in I Corinthians Chapter 12. Future. In the present, John is baptizing in water, but he said in the future Christ would baptize you with the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 12:12,13 "For as the body (this human body) is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body (if you hurt your toe, you hurt all over): so also is Christ." "For by one Spirit (Holy Spirit is capitalized) are we all (not just the chosen few, but every believer) baptized into one body,..." Now what body? The Body of Christ, the Church. Do you know that Paul never uses the illustration that we as Church Age Believers are sheep and Christ is the Shepherd? Never! Because it is so much greater to be an intrinsic member of the Body of Christ, connected to the Head, which is Christ. Let's get back to Matthew. We can either become a believer and experience the baptism of the Spirit or we can reject salvation and be placed into the lake of fire for the lost. Matthew 3:12 Matthew 3:16,17 "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, `This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'" Now Chapter 4: Matthew 4:16 We're not talking about physical light, but rather a spiritual light. Let's go to Isaiah Chapter 49 and 60. Remember what Matthew just said, that people were sitting in darkness, but they see a great light. Isaiah 49:6 This light will start with Israel. "ARISE, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth (this is spiritual darkness), and gross darkness the people (even Israel): but (in spite of that spiritual darkness) the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light,..." And Who is the Light? Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent (why?): for the kingdom of heaven is a hand." The same message that John the Baptist preached. See verse 23: Matthew 4:23a "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues (for Jews), and preaching the gospel of the kingdom,..." Now let's look at another verse: Matthew 9:35 "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages (of Israel), teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (now in association with the Gospel of the Kingdom, what do you have? Finish the verse), and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." Let's look at Matthew 16: Matthew 16:13-16 Now our Gospel, the Gospel of the Grace Age, is that Christ died for me, was buried and rose from the dead. The King Redeemer, the Prophet and Priest. Let's look at John's Gospel, Chapter 11 verse 23. Jesus delays purposely because He wants to raise him from the dead. By the time Jesus gets back, Lazarus is dead. And Jesus says in verse 23: John 11:23-27 Jesus said unto her, `I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. Believest thou this?' (Now look at Martha's answer) She saith unto him, `Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Now let's go to Acts Chapter 8. Let's read verse 35: "The Philip opened his mouth and began at the same scripture (which was Isaiah 53); and preached unto him Jesus. What has been part and parcel of the Gospel of the Kingdom? Repentance and water baptism. Look at verse 37: Acts 8:37 God is also going to give the children of Israel a chance at the Gospel that He will reveal to Saul (Paul) later. Remember Saul is converted under the Gospel of the Kingdom. verse 20: Acts 9:20 "And straightway he (Saul) preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God." #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible