MARK 1: 4
"John the Baptist preached that the PEOPLE SHOULD BE BAPTIZED to show that they had turned to God, to receive forgiveness for their sins."
Our One Truth Today, from John the Baptist, tells us that all people who have turned to God to receive forgiveness for their sins should be Baptized. It does not say that you have to be Baptized in order to receive the forgiveness of God for your sins. Why then should we listen and hear what John's message really is? This shows that Baptism is not for anyone and everyone. It is only for those that have turned to God and received forgiveness of their sins. It is the outward expression of your inward belief. We also know that the symbolic act of Baptism is not done in only one certain way. It is a spiritual act of contrition to God and expresses your true feelings and the condition of your heart. The attitude is everything, while the act can be done in a number of ways. How do you feel about this? John said," PEOPLE SHOULD BE BAPTIZED!"
John was sent with a specific message to prepare the way for the Lord. John was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah about the Messiah and His coming. John expected people to respond to his invitation knowing that it symbolized the dying to sin in the water and rising up a new person in the spirit. The Baptism was for those that asked God to forgive them of their sins, and help them to die to the old flesh nature of man and become a new spiritual person. You would only do this if you believed the Word of God. It was a way to demonstrate the Salvation of the Lord!
John also preached that the kingdom of God was close at hand, as it always is! With the coming of the Lord Jesus the kingdom of God had not only come, but was present and at hand!
John only Baptized those who confessed their sin to God. Not all people could or should be baptized by John or any other. The prerequisite is that the person has turned to God for the forgiveness of their sins and received the Lord into their heart. Baptism is the outward expression of your inner belief's. If you belief God, you will want to be Baptized and be born of the water and the spirit as also expressed by the Lord to Nicodemus. The fact that the Lord was Baptized, as the right thing to do, is all the evidence anyone needs to understand its importance!
If you are a follower of Jesus, then follow Him and be Baptized! It is important to know that Baptism is not how you are saved, it merely shows God that you have turned from your sins and received His forgiveness. PEOPLE SHOULD BE BAPTIZED, if they love the Lord God.
