8. JOHN THE BAPTIST (Luke 16:16The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
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3. His Message (Continued)
2. The Baptism of Repentance (Continued)
5. A baptism that offered remission of sins (Mark 1:4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
   See All...; Luke 3:3And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
   See All...; Acts 2:38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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1. Twelve scriptural references to remission, remit, remitted (Matthew 26:28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
   See All...; Mark 1:4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
   See All...; Luke 1:77To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
   See All...; Luke 3:3And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
   See All...; Luke 24:47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
   See All...; John 20:23Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
   See All...(2); Acts 2:38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
   See All...; Acts 10:43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
   See All...; Romans 3:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
   See All...; Hebrews 9:22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
   See All...; Hebrews 10:18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
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2. Meaning of remission
1. Literally means to send back
2. To refrain from exacting payment
3. To refrain from inflicting punishment
4. To put off; to postpone
3. Some biblical uses of remission
1. Benefit of the Old Testament sacrifices (Hebrews 9:22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
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2. Covering of Old Testament sins (Romans 3:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
   See All... with Hebrews 9:15And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
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3. To be blotted out in the future (Acts 3:19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
   See All...; Romans 11:26-27 [26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: [27] For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
   See All...; Jeremiah 50:20In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.
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4. This led to a knowledge of salvation (Luke 1:77To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
   See All...; see John 1:7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
   See All..., 29-30; Acts 13:23-25 [23] Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: [24] When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. [25] And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
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6. NOTE: The baptism of repentance for the remission of sins was not an act, which brought salvation.  It was given to Israel as preparation for the coming of the King and His kingdom.  Israel had rebelled against the Lord and was not ready for the coming kingdom.  John preached a way for them to prepare for the kingdom.  They were to repent and then be baptized for the remission of sins.  In this, God would refrain from exacting payment for their sins.  This would lead them to the knowledge of salvation through faith in the Messiah when He arrived (see Mark 1:14-15 [14] Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
   See All...).
3. The Coming of Christ
1. One to come after John (Luke 3:15-18 [15] And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; [16] John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: [17] Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. [18] And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.
   See All...; Mark 1:1-3 [1] The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; [2] As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. [3] The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
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2. He will baptize with the Holy Ghost (Luke 3:16John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
   See All...; Acts 1:4-7 [4] And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. [5] For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. [6] When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? [7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
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3. The Lamb of God who takes away sin (John 1:29-36 [29] The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. [30] This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. [31] And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. [32] And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. [33] And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. [34] And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. [35] Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; [36] And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
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                            The Gospel of the Kingdom

9. THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
1. The Preachers of the Kingdom Gospel
1. John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-2 [1] In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, [2] And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
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2. Jesus (Matthew 4:17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
   See All...; Luke 4:40-44 [40] Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. [41] And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. [42] And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. [43] And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. [44] And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
   See All...; Luke 8:1And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
   See All...; Romans 15:8Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
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3. The Twelve (Luke 9:1-2 [1] Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. [2] And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
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4. The Seventy (Luke 10:1After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
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2. The Nature of the Kingdom
1. God’s will accomplished on earth as in heaven (Matthew 6:9-13 [9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
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2. An earthly rule of Jesus Christ (Matthew 20:20-23 [20] Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. [21] And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. [22] But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. [23] And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
   See All...; Luke 21:27-32 [27] And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [28] And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. [29] And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; [30] When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. [31] So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. [32] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
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3. The apostles exalted to thrones (Matthew 19:27-28 [27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? [28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
   See All...; Luke 22:28-30 [28] Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. [29] And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; [30] That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
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4. The unfaithful Jews excluded from the kingdom (Matthew 8:10-12 [10] When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. [11] And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. [12] But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
   See All...; Luke 13:28-29 [28] There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. [29] And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
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3. The Message of the Kingdom
1. To Israel only (Matthew 10:5-8 [5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: [6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. [8] Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
   See All...; Matthew 15:24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
   See All...; Romans 15:8Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
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2. That the kingdom is at hand (Matthew 3:2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
   See All...; Matthew 4:17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
   See All...; Matthew 10:7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
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3. The baptism of repentance (Matthew 3:11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
   See All...; Mark 1:4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
   See All...; Acts 2:38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
   See All...; Acts 13:23-25 [23] Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: [24] When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. [25] And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
   See All...; Acts 19:4-5 [4] Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. [5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
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1. Preceded by repentance (Matthew 3:7-11 [7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [8] Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: [9] And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. [10] And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [11] I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
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2. Accompanied by confession (Matthew 3:6And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
   See All...; Mark 1:5And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
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3. Followed by remission (Mark 1:4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
   See All...; Luke 3:3And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
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4. Leading to faith in Christ (Matthew 3:11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
   See All...; Acts 19:3-5 [3] And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. [4] Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. [5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
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5. Changed when God turned to the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-48 [44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. [45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. [46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, [47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? [48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
   See All...; Acts 16:30-33 [30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? [31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. [32] And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. [33] And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
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