That prophet

John the Baptist was the Elijah (Matt. 11:14, 17:10-13) yet he said "i am not" (Jn. 1:21). He doesn't know that he was Elijah. Later he was also puzzled about Christ. Luke 7:9.

Now if John the Baptist doesn't know about himself, then how can he know who was Jesus? They asked him "are you the Christ?" He said "no". Then  they also asked,  "are you that prophet?" (referring to the prophet that Moses spoke about.  Deut.  18:15-18) He said "no".  For them both Christ and "that prophet" are two different persons. Their ignorance made them kill Jesus. They asked about it a person who doesn't know about himself yet.

Before the baptism of Christ John the Baptist knew Jesus very well but as a relative. (Luke 1:36). He knows the character of Christ that is why when he saw him he said, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matt. 3:14). After the baptism when the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus, then he realized that his relative Jesus is the Son of God. Let's hear it from his own words, "And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” John 1:33‭-‬34.

Later before his death John was puzzled about Christ and asked “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Luke 7:18‭-‬19.

You may be in the same position and puzzled about Jesus. Even Mary who heard Gabriel was stumbled, disciples who have been with him and heard the Father in heaven saying "listen to him" (Deut. 18:15-18) have stumbled, now John the Baptist who heard the heavenly Father and testified him have stumbled. To you i want to tell this. Do not look for some other prophet. He is "that prophet" (Act. 3:22). Listen to him (Mark 9:7).

"Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Luke 7:‬23.

The TRUTH

God is spirit. So the worshiper has to worship him in spirit and truth. The angels who have the spiritual bodies also called as the spirits in Hebrews. Then does God has a body because angels have a spiritual body?

The spirit of God is upon the waters. The word "upon" communicates the location of the spirit where he is working. If the Spirit took a place at that particular time, then where is God? Who is there in the water? How did the water exist?

When God made man with the clay, the man could not move until the spirit is breathed into him. Before the spirit was breathed, the man was still existing in a physical form. Who is that in that man's body at that time and making it hold together?

God is not just spirit he is more than spirit. Something beyond spirit is existing and that is God. We recognize him with name "God" but he is more than God we understood. I think we can recognize him as the TRUTH. 

John the Baptist said that he came to witness the light that is Jesus. Jesus said to Pilate that he came to witness the truth. So you have to worship him in spirit and truth. 

Some said that Jesus is sending out demons by the help of Baelzebool. Jesus said, if I am sending the demons by the help of Baelzebool then how do your sons sending out demons? Even the sons of Pharisees also actually sending out demons by the help of the spirit. But Jesus said that they are under bondage but still say that they will give freedom. Now if they have spirit of God how come they are in bondage? It's because they have the help of the spirit but there is no truth in them. Truth sets them free if they have it. 

Ex. 30:17-21 Laver

You want to wash your hands before you eat. You dont take bathe before you eat because you already had a bath. Laver talks about cleansing.

1. Repentance and forgiveness
John the baptist was not teaching on baptism. His teaching was on repentance and forgiveness.

2. Roots and fruits
John called them brood of vipers. When he said brood, he was talking about their roots. When he said go and show the fruits of repentance he was talking about fruits.

Peter asked the Lord why he was washing his feet. Jesus said that if he doesnt wash then he has no part in him. Then Peter replied "then wash my head also". Then Jesus said, "the one bathed has no need to bath again, just washing hands and feet will do".

A man who is baptized has no need to take baptism again if he sins. He can repent.

3. Fruits and roots
He said every tree that doesnt give fruits will be cut off because the axe is at the roots. 

Better Covenant

Elijah was privileged to have a great invitation. God sent him fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses.

John the Baptist got the same spirit but he did not get the fiery chariot but fiery sufferings. He was beheaded. 

Which one is the better invitation? the former or the latter? What do you think?

There are some people "tortured, not accepting release, to obtain resurrection to a better life." (Heb. 11:35)

New Testament is better than the Old one. It is unique by its sufferings for the One whom we loved. I am looking for a better resurrection. Do you?