Though John’s ministry pointed to the Messiah, his message was one of repentance to God. I been plagued with the thought of two ministries growing at the time of Jesus. In fact the ministry of John the Baptist was said to exist today. If John the Baptist was fully convinced who Jesus was by the Holy Spirit dissension like a dove to Jesus’ should why was there a need for John’s ministry of repentance to still exist? Did Christ not come to destroy the law of the Old Testament or only to reestablish the principals of the law in the heart of man. Jesus’ ministry was of bring the lost in, but also one of baptism into God the Father and into the cross. Why would God raise up John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus to only allow that man’s ministry to decrease. John the Baptist before his death even sent his disciples to ask if there was another coming. In truth the comforter (Holy Spirit) was to come, but this was not the response of Jesus. Jesus only shares that with his disciples before His death.

The question of why two ministries, why did not John the Baptist follow as a disciple of Jesus. His righteous was through faith in God of old. Jesus did not come to call the righteous but the sinner to repentance. John was righteous through faith in God. Does that mean there is two Gospels of course not. For the one John preached pointed to the God and the Messiah. Yet the first baptism of all believers is the existence of God the Father. The second baptism of faith in knowledge of the Messiah. And the last baptism if the Holy Spirit.

I do not like to separate three baptisms, but in scripture it is separated. Perhaps only so those like Cornelius would be seen as a man of faith without the knowledge of the Messiah. The knowledge so important that God gave Cornelius a vision to send men to find Peter to explain it to him about the coming of the Messiah. The Messiah message about a spiritual kingdom to draw all people to himself. A message about repentance and no more need of sacrifice for sin. That upon confession sin was forgiven. No more sacrifice of a dove, lamb, goat or a bull. God desired a change of heart more then earthly sacrifices. The sacrifice of the Lamb of God was the final sacrifice because He was without sin, He was the Word, and the Light to all men. Yet John ministry still exist today an is this ministry still necessary? To introduce someone to God seems necessary in one since, but why not just to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Without the Old Testament there is no understanding of sin. The need for repentances comes with the understanding that one has broken God’s law. That fact all are unrighteous and are in need of repentance. The knowledge no one but God has truly sacrificed his word for our salvation for our sin brought about our death and separation from God. These points never come out in Christ ministry in the four Gospels. Instead with Christ ministry the need for human’s to make a sacrifice becomes necessary for sin. The sacrifice of God’s word so that the lion could lie down with the lamb in society or a child could play over a snake hole and not be harmed. Jesus hate with sinners. He told Levi he was going to his house. The Pharisees were angry about this. One did not eat with sinners for it made them unholy unto the Lord. Jesus being a religious teacher himself was breaking the laws of the priesthood before the eyes of the world. Laws the prohibit man to reach out to the lost and dying world and to draw men to God. John baptism of repentance was in the wilderness, Jesus ministry was to both the Gentile and Jew. Bridging to worlds to worship of God the Father. Yet we bow to Jesus as well. Not all believe Jesus to be the word of God, some one can grasp him to be a good teacher and prophet, and yet recognize God the Father. These people follow the Old Testament law and are lacking the need for a Messiah. The knowledge of God laying his word down for us that we could receive eternal life not based on works of the law but by faith in the Messiah, the redeemer of all that believe not just Israel.

John the Baptist call to preach to remain preaching at the time of Christ would end in death. For Christ ministry had to increase, just like after Christ ministry when the Holy Spirit came the work of the cross did not stop, but the need of God to write his laws and instructions on our hearts had to begin so we would know what pleased God and would protect us as well. Protect us from transgressing God and protect us in a world of sin. The preaching of Christ caused persecution, only because of lack of religious freedom in those areas they preached in. John ministry still exist because there always be people that know not God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. To claim the superiority of Christ ministry will get one killed, for some only see Jesus as a man, and not the fulfillment of prophecy.

God never wanted man to be separate from man in the since of worship. With the tower of Babel causing separation of man because of the confusion of languages. But the confusion of languages came when man desire to reach God by their own means. God had to reach down to man. God reaches down to man by the Savior to the whole world. Revealing the prophesy one step at a time, so that the knowledge of who the Savior was and is, is clear to the end of time. The word of God never stop being salvation, but the Word became flesh and dwelt among the people in Christ day, was the fourth man in the fire, and walked and talked with Abraham. For God is Spirit and the true worshippers must worship God in Spirit and in truth. Yet God reveals himself through His Son/Word and teaches us through His Son/Word. Yet to redeem us God has to break His promise of death because of sin. The question is will God break any of his other promises? One has to stop and remember God response to Abraham on destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and if there would 50, then 30 and then ten righteous men, would God protect Sodom and Gomorrah. If God claims his word is true from the beginning to the end, then the promise of eternal life is seen both in the story of Lazarus, the graves being empty with Christ death, and with His own resurrection. The story of the dead to rise will be. And the story of Ezekiel dialogue will these bones live with God will come to pass once more.

Yet the message of God and need for repentance must come for the understanding of grace and mercy be applied through Christ Jesus. The ministry of the law will decrease and the law of love increase and the message of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit will increase. The power of the Holy Spirit was for all believers. Yet the Spirit would not come without the Word of God, The Spirit of God is more then a feeling but the word given and understood or spoken so that the disciples need to interpret, explaining as Christ did in the four Gospels of the parables spoken. Christ had to be lifted up, had to eat with sinners to draw people to His Father. His own sin committed was the transgression of the priesthood laws, not the laws of God to draw all to Himself. To make any priesthood the final law beside Jesus is to make the law of that priest God and not the compassion of God. Many believers work with in the laws of religious church order, and other groups. Yet these groups are only meant to be like minded in faith, law, and obedience to God for the believer not be a God to worship. Levi was a sinner, just like every man, but he was a believer in God in need of a Savior. A savior that came to dine with Him, to show Him love. A Savior to teach the world to love others. World cares not that you are different, but they do not like people impose their dogma on them. One has to prove God’s way is better, no God does that work through your life to the sinner. If you can not enjoy the good things in life as a believer, one is only missing boat of the witness to others that enjoy the good things in life without the knowledge of God or the need of a Savior. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide as you witness and not be confined by religious dogma, but make sure you do not cross the line of God’s instruction by the Holy Spirit. Most will even Moses did with the striking of a rock twice. When you fail repent.

Dear Heavenly Father may you change our life as our faith grows richer and deeper, so that we may lead others to you. In Jesus precious name, Amen.