John the Baptist

This post, and many like it that will follow, are written to fulfill an assignment for an institute class. The following study discusses John the Baptist: who he was and why his arrival brought joy and gladness.

The angel Gabriel came to Zacharias and told him that the Lord had now heard the long unanswered prayers of he and his wife, Elisabeth, for a child. Zacharias was told that his child would be a son. He was to name his son John, and that he (John) would be the source of much joy and gladness among many people. Why?

Many people rejoiced at the coming of John the Baptist because John was an Elias; a forerunner. John was one who was, according to prophecy, sent to prepare the way of the Lord; or in other words to prepare the minds of the people to receive the Messiah and His teachings when He should come. Perhaps the single greatest reason that men would rejoice at the coming of John the Baptist is because it heralded the coming of the Messiah into the world; for John was to baptize the Son of God. John was also given the privilege of being one who would bear witness of the Messiah when He should come. Among other reasons John helps men to rejoice, John turned the hearts of many to the Lord, and he taught the people the pure doctrines of the Kingdom by the power of the Holy Ghost. The witness of the Holy Ghost, and the application of the things taught and witnessed of, brings great joy to the hearts of men.

Luke 1
Bible Dictionary 'John the Baptist' (pg 714-15)
Matthew 11:10-14
Isaiah 40:3
Matthew 3:3

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