• People confess their sins and are baptized by John in the Jordan River. When people are baptized, they confess their sins before receiving baptism (verse 6). Additionally, verse 11 states that John baptized people with water to lead them to repentance. Therefore, it seems that whether before or after baptism, the act of self-repentance remains as important then as it is today.

• When Jesus was baptized by John, he said, “It is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness” (verse 15). This implies that when we believe in God through Jesus, we should repent of our sins and have a sense of confession.

• In another scene, John rebukes the Pharisees and Sadducees. When they came to John to be baptized, he reproached them, saying, “Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (verse 7). John, with anger, tells the Pharisees and Sadducees to “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (verse 8). We can see John’s stern but somewhat rough character.

<Meditation>

• In fact, I used to think that if Samantha, a colleague I’ve been working with, was baptized at a nearby Baptist church, my responsibility would be fulfilled. But today, I feel differently. I feel that I should take care of Samantha until she goes to Texas and receives baptism amidst her family’s blessings. I should provide continuous support through prayer and encouragement.
• Today, I think about the people I’ve led to preaching and baptism. I feel the need to continue helping them until they are baptized whenever there is an opportunity to preach the gospel.
• People I’ve preached to so far – Total 7 people: People whose values have changed like mine and whose lives have transformed.
  •  Korea: Kim Kyungjin, Kim Hyunhee, Sung Moseon, Kim Kyungran (Kim Hyunhee’s friend)
  •  USA: Jang Sunmi, Kwon Sewon, Shin Mikyung

<Application>

Let’s pray for Samantha until she can be baptized in Texas, explain baptism to her, and advise her whenever the opportunity arises.