Section 3

Section 3: Will you go back to the Bible to learn about Christ?

I.     Who is John the Baptist?

·       John was a prophet.

Luke 7:28 28For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

·       Just as Herod was “the king” who ruled and Matthew was “the publican” who collected
taxes, John was “the Baptist” who immersed.

Matthew 2:1 1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Matthew 10:3 3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

Matthew 3:1 1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

·       John was not called “the Baptist” because it was the name of his religion, but he was
called “the Baptist” because he baptized.

Matthew 3:13 13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

John 3:23 23And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

Do you understand that John the Baptist was given his title because his work was baptizing? *

YES NO

II.     Why was John the Baptist baptizing and what was he preaching?

·       John was preaching that the kingdom of heaven was at hand and was preparing the way
for Christ and His kingdom (the church).

Matthew 3:1-3 1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

·       John declared that he was to decrease and Christ was to increase.

John 3:27-30 27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven, 28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30He must increase, but I must decrease.

Do you understand that John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ and His coming kingdom? *

YES NO

III.     Was the church built by Jesus Christ or John the Baptist?

·       Christ taught that he that is least in the kingdom of heaven would be greater than John
since John would not be in the kingdom of heaven (which is the church).

Matthew 11:11 11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

·       After the death of John the Baptist, Jesus Christ said the He would build His church
(future tense).

Matthew 16:18 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Do you understand that John did not build nor start the church, but that the church would be built by Christ? *

YES NO

IV.     What did Christ teach?

·       Christ taught that all must believe that He is the Christ, the Son of God and those who
don’t will die in their sins.

John 8:24 24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Do you understand that you must believe that Jesus is the Christ? *

YES NO

· Christ taught that all must repent (to repent means to change one’s mind) and decide to do
the will of God.

Mark 1:15 15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Do you understand that you must repent (change your mind) and decide to do the will of God? *

YES NO

· Christ taught that all must confess Him before men.

Luke 12:8-9 8(…) Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

Do you understand that you must confess Christ before men? *

YES NO

· Christ taught that all who believe must be baptized.

Mark 16:15-16 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Do you understand that you must be baptized to be saved (if you do not believe, you will not be baptized)? *

YES NO

· Christ taught those who just acknowledge Him as Christ but do not obey Him, will not be
saved.

Matthew 7:21-23 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Luke 6:46 46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Do you understand that acknowledging a belief in Christ, confessing Him as Lord and doing works in His name does not fulfill your obedience to Him? *

YES NO

· Christ taught that all must love God above all else and in doing so one will do whatever it
takes to keep His commands.

Mark 12:30 30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

John 14:15 15If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Do you understand that God requires we love Him above all else and in doing so we will do whatever it takes to keep His commandments? *

YES NO

· Christ taught that keeping His commands would be something few would do because it is
a difficult (or strait) path.

Matthew 7:13-14 13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Do you understand that the majority of the world will be lost because the way of life is difficult and narrow? *

YES NO

If you will go back to the Bible, please type the following statement in the box below: “I will go back to the Bible, obey the commands of Christ and love Him above all else even though it may be difficult because of what I will have to give up.” *

I.     What did Christ teach His apostles?

·       Christ taught the apostles how those who heard the gospel and believed were to be saved.

Matthew 28:18-19 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mark 16:15-16 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

·       Christ taught the apostles to teach all things that he commanded them.

Matthew 28:20 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

·       Christ taught the apostles that all truth would be given to them and that the words given
by the Holy Spirit would be His words.

John 14:26; 16:12-14 26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Do you understand that the apostles and writers of the New Testament would deliver the commands of Christ? *

YES NO

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