The following articles are related to the topic of JOHN THE BAPTIST

Who Was John the Baptist?

Who was John the Baptist? And what was his relationship to Jesus? His name was divinely given. It was to be "John" (Lk. 1:13), which derives from a Hebrew term signifying "Jehovah is gracious." He was known familiarly as "the Baptist" (bearing no relation to the modern sect), which simply means "an immerser, one who administers the rite of immersion" ... read more »

Why Was John the Baptist Confused?

"According to a passage in the book of Matthew, John the Baptist questioned whether or not Jesus was the one his nation had been awaiting. Or was there another to come? How could John have asked a question that seems to reveal such weak faith?" Due to his courageous denunciation of Herod's adulterous liaison with Herodias (Mk. 6:17ff), John the ... read more »

Ephesians 2:8 & Revelation 2:4-5 – The Church at Ephesus

The cause of Christ was planted in Ephesus when Paul came to that city during the course of his third missionary journey. There, he encountered twelve men who had known only the baptism of John the Baptist (having received that ordinance after its expiration). Accordingly, Paul instructed them more precisely in the gospel, and immersed them "into the name of ... read more »

What About Baptism on the Day of Pentecost?

Two arguments frequently offered by those who accept "sprinkling" as a mode of "baptism," are grounded in Acts 2. The first suggests that the twelve apostles could not have immersed 3,000 people in a single day. The second alleges that there was insufficient water in Jerusalem for the immersion of so many people. But the argument is based upon inaccurate ... read more »

Can a Man Justify God?

"What is the meaning of the phrase, 'justified God,' in Luke 7:29? Isn't God just already? How could man possibly 'justify' God?" First, let us take a look at the full text in which the phrase is found. "I say unto you, among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but ... read more »

The Papacy and Mark’s Significant Omission

About six months before his death, Jesus was in northern Palestine, in the area of Caesarea Philippi. It was at this time that a conversation of some renown, between Christ and his disciples, took place. Matthew's version of the narrative is as follows: "Who do men say the Son of man is? And they said, Some say John the Baptist; ... read more »

What Is the Baptism of Fire?

"In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist said: 'I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.' A Christian brother recently identified this 'fire' with the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost. Would ... read more »

Did Mark Make a Mistake?

"I am confused about the identity of the 'Philip' mentioned in Mark 6:17. Some say that Mark has confused this man with 'Herod Philip,' who is mentioned in Luke 3:1. It is my understanding that Herodias divorced 'Herod' to marry Herod Antipas. According to one source, Josephus makes no mention of a 'Herod Philip.'" Who then, was the "Philip" mentioned ... read more »

Did Jesus Confess that His Claims Were Untrue?

"Jesus once said: 'If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true' (Jn. 5:31). If that statement is true, how can we believe that Jesus told the truth when he claimed to be the Son of God?" This question exhibits a classic example of extracting a passage from its biblical context and attaching a meaning to it that ... read more »

Answering the Fool

The inspired writer of Proverbs cautioned: "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him." And then he said: "Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit" (Prov. 26:4-5). Is it not remarkable that these two statements, which appear so at odds, are found side-by-side? Do they contradict ... read more »