Matthew chapter 3

Matthew 3: 1-12 introduces John the Baptist.
The comming of John the Baptist / Baptiser / Forerunner / Precourser was foretold in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1.

The Passage begins with a summary of John's message "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Lets take a quick look at what is actually being said here.
Repent: The word translated as 'repentance' is the Greek word metanoia, meaning "after/behind one's mind", which is a compound word of the preposition 'meta' (after, with), and the verb 'noeo' (to perceive, to think, the result of perceiving or observing), so the whole compound means: 'to think differently after'. Metanoia is therefore primarily an after-thought, different from the former thought; a change of mind accompanied by regret and change of conduct. Repentance then is not simply a guilt or regret, but it is accompanied by action. The willful turning away from sin, whether a wrong action or thought pattern, but more importantly turning toward righteousness and Jesus.

John’s purpose was to prepare hearts for the Messiah, and to bring an awareness of sin among Israel so they could received the salvation from sin offered by Jesus. We can sometimes fail to appreciate how important the preparing work of the Lord is. Any great work of God begins with great preparation. Even the harvest of His saving Grace is sown first so that it may be reaped later.

John's location, clothing and diet suggest a radical servant of God whose lifestyle challenges the decedant values of our society. John sacrificed all material wealth to do the work God had set out for him. He lived in the desert, ate bugs and wild honey, and wore hides rather than spun and tailored clothing. Still crowds gathered, as John's message was the message of God, get ready the Messiah is comming!

John's "repentance" when coupled with the act of water baptizm, refers not only to a regular turning from sin after a specific act. It also refers to a once-for-all repentance, the kind of turning from an old way of life to a new that Judaism associated with Gentiles converting to Judaism. Significantly, John was treating the Jewish people as if they were Gentiles, calling them to turn to God on the same terms they believed God demanded of Gentiles through baptism. This is a simbol that although they bear a special heritage from Abraham Jews and Gentiles are in the same position regarding salvation, to be saved we all need Jesus.

John's confrontation with the Pharisees and Sadducees also brings up another very important topic. The production of 'fruit'. Galatians 5: 22-23 tells us that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." John then tells us that "every tree that does not produce fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

Does this suggest that a christian (tree) can lose their salvation if they do not produce enough friut? I don't think it does, but I sure don't want to risk it either.

Verse 11 "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." indicates the once-and-for-all type of repentance John refers to and signifies that it is a symbol of our obediance to God and our repentance. The baptism Jesus offers however is not a physical one but is spiritual and is much more powerful than water baptism. This also suggests that Spiritual baptism / Salvation as also a once-and-for-all occurance for each believer.

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit promised with the New Covenant (Ezekiel 37:14). To baptize with fire means to bring the fires of judgment, which will purify the righteous, but destroy the wicked.

Verses 13-15 show John recognising Jesus as the Messiah who will baptise with the "Holy Spirit and with fire." John is immediately humble, in spite of having baptised many people, and having crowds come to see him. He also obeys Jesus even though John knows himself not to be worthy of the task.

We get to see the the whole of the Trinity all at once in verses 16-17, when the "Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

God the Father - The voice from heaven.
God the Son - Jesus.
God the Spirit - Holy Spirit like a dove. Even if this is a poetic image it signifies a physically noticable change.

Why did Jesus need to be baptized?
Firstly it was as Jesus said "to fullfil all righteousness", but also Jesus demonstrated His submission to God by doing the act of repentence. Although Jesus had nothing to repent of, as He was without sin, He demonstrated to us the importance of water baptism, as an act of obedience and a symbol of a beleiver's repentance.
Signifcantly this was also the moment when the Spirit of God filled Jesus, and this signified the beginning of His ministry.