The Baptism of Repentance - Mark 1:4

Mark began Jesus' “gospel” story with the words, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”, and Mark referred to Malachi the prophet who said, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face. As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”, and in chapter one and verse four of his book, Mark shared how, “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance” where we read:

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

The verse reads, “John did baptize in the wilderness, ...” Mark began words, “John” which refers to “John whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver and was the son of Zachariah and Elisabeth and was the forerunner of Christ who by order of Herod Antipas he was cast into prison and afterwards beheaded” “did baptize” or “dipped repeatedly, immersed and submerge people” “in the wilderness” which means “in the solitary, lonely, desolate and uninhabited place”. Mark shared how “John the Baptist” “submerged” believers in God within water. (This is where he received his title as “the Baptist”).

The verse goes on to say, “... and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mark continued with the words, “and preach” which means “heralded, proclaimed and published openly” “the baptism of repentance” or “the immersion or submersion and refers to that purification rite by which men on confessing their sins were bound to spiritual reformation, obtained the pardon of their past sins and became qualified for the benefits of the Messiah's kingdom soon to be set up” “for the remission” which means “toward the release from bondage or imprisonment and forgiveness” “of sins” which refers to “pertaining to missing the mark, error, mistakes and wandering from and violating the law of God”. Mark shared how “John the Baptist” also “proclaimed” the idea of “repenting of sins” with an outward demonstration of being “baptized” in water.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we understand John the Baptist's role was to “prepare” people for the entrance of the Messiah who was soon to come. They were to “turn from their sins” and be “baptized” as an outward demonstration of their resolve to do so. God loves people, and although they violate His perfect law, He is willing to “forgive” them and “remit” or “release” them from the bondage of their “sins” when they ask Him. Let all who read these words, “Repent, and be baptized” as they put their “faith and trust” in Jesus Christ the Messiah who came to pay the penalty of death for the “sins” of everyone.

Next time Mark shares how people, “were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".