Synoptic Gospels Bible Study Lesson 5 Questions

Synoptic Gospels Bible Study Lesson 5 Questions

1. Who was John the Baptist? His parents? His relationship to Jesus?

John and Jesus were born, on Jesus' human side anyway, as relatives. Mary and the mother of John the Baptist were cousins. John the Baptist was six months older than Jesus. John the Baptist’s parents were named Zechariah and Elizabeth in Luke’s Gospel. In Luke’s story Mary was a far more significant figure than Elizabeth, who Luke called Mary’s “kinswoman” (Luke 1:36). Indeed, the suggestion that John the Baptist and Jesus were kin, perhaps even “cousins.

2.What was John the Baptist's message?

It was simply, Repent. This is no mere academic change of mind, nor mere regret or remorse. John the Baptist spoke of repentance as a radical turning from sin that inevitably became manifest in the fruit of righteousness. The symbolism of John’s baptism likely had its roots in OT purification rituals (Lev. 15:13). Baptism had also long been administered to Gentile proselytes coming into Judaism. The baptism of John thus powerfully and dramatically symbolized repentance. Jews accepting John’s baptism were admitting they had been as Gentiles and needed to become the people of God genuinely, inwardly (an amazing admission, given their hatred of Gentiles).

3.What was the Old Testament prophecy about John the Baptist? (Is 40:3, Mal 3:1)

Isaiah 40:3:Listen! It's the voice of someone shouting, "Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!

Malachi 3:1:See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.

4.Explain his statement "bring forth fruits of repentance" in Mt 3:8 or10?

If you are truly penitent, if you have a proper sense of sin, and true repentance for it, do such works as are suitable to it, and will show the genuineness of it; for

fruits meet for repentance are the same as "works meet for repentance", Acts 26:20 and as a tree is known by its fruit, so repentance is known by good works; these are the fruits and effects of repentance, and which are proofs with men of the sincerity of it. Those which follow upon evangelical repentance are such as are mentioned in 2 Corinthians 7:11. Now let it be observed, that John insisted upon repentance, and a good conversation, attesting the truth of it as necessary prerequisites to the ordinance of baptism; and so Peter first urged repentance; and then proposed baptism, Acts 2:38 from whence one should think it may be rationally and strongly concluded, that none but truly repenting sinners, and such who have given proofs that they are so, are to be admitted to this ordinance

5.Explain Mt 3:11.

Mt 3:11 He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire - He shall fill you with the Holy Ghost, inflaming your hearts with that fire of love, which many waters cannot quench. And this was done, even with a visible appearance as of fire, on the day of pentecost.

6.Explain Mt 3:12.

Mt 3:12 Whose fan - That is, the word of the Gospel. His floor - That is, his Church, which is now covered with a mixture of wheat and chaff. He will gather the wheat into the garner - Will lay up those who are truly good in heaven.

7.Explain the timing, purpose, and difference in Mt 3:11 & 12. Has verse 3:11 been fulfilled? If so when? When will verse 3:12 be fulfilled?

Matthew 3:11-12, shows us the contrast between the person of John the Baptist and the person of Jesus Christ. It is clear from Matthew 3:11 and Acts 19 that the Holy Spirit came through Christ, not through John the Baptist. But the Holy Spirit came through the baptism of John. In verses 11-12 John compares himself with Jesus. These verses need the most careful exegesis.

John compares "I, for my part" and "but He."

"Repentance" here does not mean that contrition and faith only follow Baptism. Some of the translations make this verse sound like baptism is only proof , not a means of grace.

"For repentance" occurs nowhere else in the New Testament with reference to "baptism." John is here talking to impenitent Pharisees and Sadducees.

8.What was John's question in Mt 11:1-6? What was Jesus' response?

Johns question was: Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else ?" 4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see : 5 the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. 6 "And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.

9.Explain John the Baptist statements of;
a.Repent - the kingdom is at hand - Mt 3:2
b.One coming whose shoes I am not fit to untie
c. One coming to baptize with spirit & fire

9.a)Mt 3:2 Repent ye. The great rite of John was baptism, but the great duty commanded was repentance. Repentance is more than a sorrow for sin; it is a determination to abandon it and live a new life. It means a change of the will, or heart, new purposes, a determination to leave off sinning. Sorrow is not repentance, but godly sorrow worketh repentance (2Co 7:10).

The kingdom of heaven. The long expected kingdom ruled by the Messiah King, predicted by the prophets, and especially by Daniel (Da 2:44). The announcement of this anxiously-waited-for kingdom thrilled all Judea.

Is at hand. It is to be noted: (1) That the kingdom to which he referred was in the future, but near. It did not begin with Abraham, or David, or even with John the Baptist. (2) It is the kingdom of heaven, not an earthly kingdom, and hence, must have a King sent from heaven. That King was not yet revealed to the public, but we have seen that one was born at Bethlehem who was to be the King. John was not the founder, but the herald of the coming King.

9.b)Mt 3:11 He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire - He shall fill you with the Holy Ghost, inflaming your hearts with that fire of love, which many waters cannot quench. And this was done, even with a visible appearance as of fire, on the day of pentecost.

9.c) Some would repent and be baptized finally in the Holy Spirit; there were others who would remain impenitent, and be baptized in the awful trials that would come upon Israel. Mt 3:12 explains this. John says in it that there is the wheat and the chaff; one shall be gathered into the garner and the other burned. With fire - This expression has been variously understood. Some have supposed that John refers to the afflictions and persecutions with which men would be tried under the Gospel; others, that the word "fire" means judgment or wrath. According to this latter interpretation, the meaning is that he would baptize a portion of mankind - those who were willing to be his followers - with the Holy Spirit, but the rest of mankind - the wicked - with fire; that is, with judgment and wrath.

10.In Mt 16:13-16 Jesus ask the question who do people say I am? What was Peter's response? What is your response?

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ,the Son of the living God." We know that Jesus Christ is God and man. Jesus Christ is God in human flesh (II Corinthians 5:19). Isaiah said, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14)." Immanuel meaning "God IS WITH us. John tells us in John 1:1-4, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.". HE never changes, is the only Saviour, he created the universe and earth by Himself, he is the Word. HE is the first and the last, he forgives sins., He is our redeemer, he is one. He has a Son. He is the Holy One, Only He is worshipped. He is Messiah. HE is from everlasting. Only He is glorified.. God is 'I am’, God heals all diseases. He is the Judge of the whole earth. HE has life in Himself. Even the devils tremble by him, HE raises the dead, He is sinless and perfect, He is omnipotent with him everything is possible, HE is powerful. Who is (God) He ……He is no one but only Jesus Christ! Only Jesus Christ