Week 3 – Devotional 1 - Jesus is Baptized – Baptism of Repentance

17/03/2014 - Monday – Read Matthew 3:1,2,5-8; Mark 1: 4,5

1-    According to Matthew 3 what was John the Baptist’s message? What is the relation between repentance and the kingdom of heaven been near? Is it possible to enter into the kingdom of heaven without repenting first? Repent of what?

2-    According to Mark 1:4 John the Baptist was preaching a baptism of repentance. What does the word “repentance” means to you? Why was the baptism of repentance so important?

3-    From where did come all the people to be baptized by John the Baptist? What was necessary to do before been baptized? What do you think is the baptism? How is it done? Now that you know what repentance, sin, confession and forgiveness of sins are, do you think babies or little children can be baptized? Why?

4-    The Pharisees and Sadducees were members of religious parties in the time of Jesus. They were very zealous in observing the Law of Moses and other rites and traditions added to the Law, putting great weight over the common people in the way they should serve God as their interpretation of the Law was very legalistic. How were they criticized by John? Being so religious, why do you think they were coming to John to be baptized? Is it possible to be religious without repentance? What are the fruits in keeping with repentance? Have you shown in your life acts that express you underwent through the process of repentance, forgiveness and salvation?

Notas:

1)- Repentance – (Gr. metanoeo) – to think different, to reconsider, to change the way one thinks.

2)- Forgiveness – (Gr. aphesis) – To release from bondage or imprisonment; pardon of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed); remission of the penalty.

3)- Baptism – (Gr. baptisma) – immersion, submersion; (of John’s baptism) 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; (of Christian baptism) a rite of immersion in water as commanded by Christ, by which one after confessing his sins and professing his faith in Christ, having been born again by the Holy Spirit unto a new life, identifies publicly with the fellowship of Christ and the church.