Bible Sunday Message-Proclamation Of John

Matthew 3:1-12 The Proclamation Of John the Baptist

In those days, John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said.

"The voice of one crying out in

the wilderness:

"Prepare the way to the Lord,

make his path staright."

Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out of him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharises and Sadduces coming for baptism, he said to them 'You brood vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourslef, "We have Abraham as our ancestor"; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that odes not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire