The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand

In the desert of Judea, next to the Jordan River, John the Baptist preached, “Repent and be saved for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  In Matthew Three, verse two of the Amplified Bible, repentance refers to thinking differently, changing one’s mind, regretting one’s sins and changing one’s conduct.  In verse eleven, repentance means changing one’s mind for the better and heartily amending one’s ways, with abhorrence of one’s past sins. 

Many visited John in the wilderness, repented of their sins, and were baptized in the Jordan River.  For those who were baptized, the Jordan River offered both a new beginning and a cleansing.  It was the Jordan River that the Israelites had to cross before entering the Promised Land.  It was also the Jordan River that Naaman dipped in seven times to become cleansed of leprosy. 

Another would Baptize with the Holy Spirit and Fire

But John, by the Spirit, recognized that a lot of the Pharisees and Saducees, who came for baptism, did not have a change of heart consistent with repentance.  He called them a brood of vipers and warned them that one would come after him who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

The Holy Spirit Descended Like a Dove on Jesus

By the Spirit, John also recognized Jesus when He came for baptism, saying that he needed to be baptized by Jesus instead.  Jesus submitted Himself to John for baptism, saying this was fitting and right.  John immersed Jesus in the water. 

When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.

This is My Son, My Beloved In Whom I Delight!
And behold a voice from heaven said, “This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight!” (Matthew 3:17).

God gave His beloved Son so the world could be saved.  He did not send Jesus here to judge us, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him (See John 3:16, 17). 

Believe in Jesus with Your Heart and Confess with Your Mouth

How do we receive salvation through Jesus Christ?  Paul tells us that we are to declare that Jesus is Lord and believe He is the resurrected Son of God.  “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:9, 10).  Paul adds that no man who believes in Him will ever be put to shame or be disappointed (Romans 10:11).

Repent and Be Baptized in the Name of Jesus

At Pentecost, Peter told the people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from sins, and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:38).

God established this redemption plan before the foundations of the earth.  Knowing we would make wrong choices, God planned that His Son would come and die a horrific death so we could be saved.

But our salvation depends on our making Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives.  That means committing our own will and desires to Him to do what He would have us do.  When we accept Him as Lord over our lives, our focus must change from the earthly realm to the heavenly realm. 

Baptism – A Public Declaration

Baptism is a public declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ and symbolizes our new beginning in Jesus and a total cleansing of our sins.

Live a Victorious Life!

We receive salvation when we repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  The name “salvation” came from the Greek word ‘sozo’, which means to save, heal, cure, preserve, keep safe and sound, rescue from danger or destruction, to deliver; also “to give new life” and to cause to have a new heart.[1]