Changes

135:6.1 Early in the month of March, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/25_AD A.D. 25], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] [[journeyed]] around the western coast of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_sea Dead Sea] and up the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river river Jordan] to opposite [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jericho Jericho], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river#Biblical_importance ancient ford] over which [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua Joshua] and the children of [[Israel]] passed when they first entered the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promised_land promised land]; and crossing over to the other side of the [[river]], he established himself near the entrance to the ford and began to preach to the people who passed by on their way back and forth across the river. This was the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river#Gallery most frequented of all the Jordan crossings].

135:6.1 Early in the month of March, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/25_AD A.D. 25], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] [[journeyed]] around the western coast of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_sea Dead Sea] and up the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river river Jordan] to opposite [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jericho Jericho], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river#Biblical_importance ancient ford] over which [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua Joshua] and the children of [[Israel]] passed when they first entered the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promised_land promised land]; and crossing over to the other side of the [[river]], he established himself near the entrance to the ford and began to preach to the people who passed by on their way back and forth across the river. This was the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river#Gallery most frequented of all the Jordan crossings].

135:6.2 It was apparent to all who heard [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] that he was more than a preacher. The great [[majority]] of those who listened to this strange man who had come up from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judean_wilderness Judean wilderness] went away believing that they had heard the [[voice]] of a [[prophet]]. No wonder the [[souls]] of these weary and [[expectant]] [[Jews]] were deeply stirred by such a [[phenomenon]]. Never in all [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews Jewish history] had the devout children of [[Abraham]] so longed for the " consolation of Israel "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_2] or more ardently anticipated " the restoration of the kingdom. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Acts_of_the_Apostles#Acts.1] Never in all [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews Jewish history] could John's message, " the kingdom of heaven is at hand, "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Mark#Chapter] have made such a deep and [[universal]] [[appeal]] as at the very time he so [[mysteriously]] appeared on the bank of this southern crossing of the Jordan.

135:6.2 It was apparent to all who heard [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] that he was more than a preacher. The great [[majority]] of those who listened to this strange man who had come up from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judean_wilderness Judean wilderness] went away believing that they had heard the [[voice]] of a [[prophet]]. No wonder the [[souls]] of these weary and [[expectant]] [[Jews]] were deeply stirred by such a [[phenomenon]]. Never in all [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews Jewish history] had the devout children of [[Abraham]] so longed for the " consolation of Israel "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_2] or more ardently anticipated " the restoration of the kingdom. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Acts_of_the_Apostles#Acts.1] Never in all [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews Jewish history] could John's message, " the kingdom of heaven is at hand, "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Mark#Chapter] have made such a deep and [[universal]] [[appeal]] as at the very time he so [[mysteriously]] appeared on the bank of this southern crossing of the Jordan.

135:6.3 He came from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd herdsmen], like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos Amos]. He was dressed like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah Elijah] of old, and he thundered his admonitions and poured forth his [[warnings]] in the " spirit and power of Elijah. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter] It is not [[surprising]] that this strange preacher created a mighty stir throughout all [[Palestine]] as the travelers carried abroad the news of his preaching along the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river Jordan].

135:6.3 He came from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd herdsmen], like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos Amos]. He was dressed like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah Elijah] of old, and he thundered his admonitions and poured forth his [[warnings]] in the " spirit and power of Elijah. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter] It is not [[surprising]] that this strange preacher created a mighty stir throughout all [[Palestine]] as the travelers carried abroad the news of his preaching along the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river Jordan].

135:6.4 There was still another and a new feature about the work of this [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazarite Nazarite] preacher: He [[Baptism|baptized]] every one of his believers in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river Jordan] " for the remission of sins. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_3] Although [[baptism]] was not a new [[ceremony]] among the [[Jews]], they had never seen it employed as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] now made use of it. It had long been the [[practice]] thus to [[baptize]] the [[gentile]] [[proselytes]] into the fellowship of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_temple#The_Court_of_the_Gentiles outer court of the temple], but never had the [[Jews]] themselves been asked to submit to the [[baptism]] of [[repentance]]. Only fifteen months [[intervened]] between the time [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] began to preach and [[baptize]] and his [[arrest]] and [[imprisonment]] at the instigation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_Antipas Herod Antipas], but in this short time he baptized considerably over one hundred thousand penitents.

135:6.4 There was still another and a new feature about the work of this [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazarite Nazarite] preacher: He [[Baptism|baptized]] every one of his believers in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river Jordan] " for the remission of sins. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_3] Although [[baptism]] was not a new [[ceremony]] among the [[Jews]], they had never seen it employed as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] now made use of it. It had long been the [[practice]] thus to [[baptize]] the [[gentile]] [[proselytes]] into the fellowship of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_temple#The_Court_of_the_Gentiles outer court of the temple], but never had the [[Jews]] themselves been asked to submit to the [[baptism]] of [[repentance]]. Only fifteen months [[intervened]] between the time [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] began to preach and [[baptize]] and his [[arrest]] and [[imprisonment]] at the instigation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_Antipas Herod Antipas], but in this short time he baptized considerably over one hundred thousand penitents.

135:6.5 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] preached four months at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany_Beyond_the_Jordan Bethany] ford before starting north up the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river Jordan]. Tens of thousands of [[listeners]], some [[curious]] but many [[earnest]] and serious, came to hear him from all parts of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judea Judea], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perea Perea], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaria Samaria]. Even a few came from [[Galilee]].

135:6.5 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] preached four months at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany_Beyond_the_Jordan Bethany] ford before starting north up the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river Jordan]. Tens of thousands of [[listeners]], some [[curious]] but many [[earnest]] and serious, came to hear him from all parts of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judea Judea], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perea Perea], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaria Samaria]. Even a few came from [[Galilee]].

135:6.6 In May of this year, while he still lingered at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany_Beyond_the_Jordan Bethany ford], the [[priests]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levites Levites] sent a delegation out to [[inquire]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] whether he claimed to be the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism Messiah], and by whose [[authority]] he preached. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] answered these questioners by saying: " Go tell your masters that you have heard `the voice of one crying in the wilderness,' as spoken by the prophet, saying, `make ready the way of the Lord, make straight a highway for our God. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; the uneven ground shall become a plain, while the rough places shall become a smooth valley; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_1]

135:6.6 In May of this year, while he still lingered at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany_Beyond_the_Jordan Bethany ford], the [[priests]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levites Levites] sent a delegation out to [[inquire]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] whether he claimed to be the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism Messiah], and by whose [[authority]] he preached. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] answered these questioners by saying: " Go tell your masters that you have heard `the voice of one crying in the wilderness,' as spoken by the prophet, saying, `make ready the way of the Lord, make straight a highway for our God. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; the uneven ground shall become a plain, while the rough places shall become a smooth valley; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_1]

135:6.7 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] was a [[heroic]] but [[tact]]less preacher. One day when he was preaching and [[Baptism|baptizing]] on the west bank of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river Jordan], a group of [[Pharisees]] and a number of [[Sadducees]] came forward and presented themselves for [[baptism]]. Before leading them down into the [[water]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John], addressing them as a [[group]] said: " Who warned you to flee, as vipers before the [[fire]], from the wrath to come? I will [[baptize]] you, but I warn you to bring forth fruit worthy of [[sincere]] [[repentance]] if you would receive the remission of your sins. Tell me not that [[Abraham]] is your [[father]]. I declare that [[God]] is able of these twelve stones here before you to raise up [[worthy]] children for [[Abraham]]. And even now is the ax laid to the very [[roots]] of the trees. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is [[destined]] to be cut down and cast into the [[fire]]. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_3] (The twelve stones to which he referred were the reputed memorial stones set up by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua Joshua] to commemorate the crossing of the " [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israelites#Biblical_Israel twelve tribes] " at this very point when they first entered the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promised_land promised land].)

135:6.7 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] was a [[heroic]] but [[tact]]less preacher. One day when he was preaching and [[Baptism|baptizing]] on the west bank of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_river Jordan], a group of [[Pharisees]] and a number of [[Sadducees]] came forward and presented themselves for [[baptism]]. Before leading them down into the [[water]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John], addressing them as a [[group]] said: " Who warned you to flee, as vipers before the [[fire]], from the wrath to come? I will [[baptize]] you, but I warn you to bring forth fruit worthy of [[sincere]] [[repentance]] if you would receive the remission of your sins. Tell me not that [[Abraham]] is your [[father]]. I declare that [[God]] is able of these twelve stones here before you to raise up [[worthy]] children for [[Abraham]]. And even now is the ax laid to the very [[roots]] of the trees. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is [[destined]] to be cut down and cast into the [[fire]]. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_3] (The twelve stones to which he referred were the reputed memorial stones set up by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua Joshua] to commemorate the crossing of the " [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israelites#Biblical_Israel twelve tribes] " at this very point when they first entered the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promised_land promised land].)

135:6.8 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] conducted classes for his [[disciples]], in the [[course]] of which he instructed them in the details of their new life and endeavored to answer their many questions. He [[counseled]] the [[teachers]] to instruct in the [[spirit]] as well as the [[letter]] of the [[law]]. He instructed the [[rich]] to feed the [[poor]]; to the tax gatherers he said: " Extort no more than that which is assigned you. " To the soldiers he said: " Do no violence and exact nothing wrongfully—be content with your wages. " While he counseled all: " Make ready for the end of the age—the kingdom of heaven is at hand. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_3]

135:6.8 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] conducted classes for his [[disciples]], in the [[course]] of which he instructed them in the details of their new life and endeavored to answer their many questions. He [[counseled]] the [[teachers]] to instruct in the [[spirit]] as well as the [[letter]] of the [[law]]. He instructed the [[rich]] to feed the [[poor]]; to the tax gatherers he said: " Extort no more than that which is assigned you. " To the soldiers he said: " Do no violence and exact nothing wrongfully—be content with your wages. " While he counseled all: " Make ready for the end of the age—the kingdom of heaven is at hand. "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_3]

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_135 Go to Paper 135]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_135 Go to Paper 135]</center>

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

[[Category:Paper 135 - John the Baptist]]

[[Category:Paper 135 - John the Baptist]]

[[Category: Seers]]

[[Category: Seers]]

[[Category: Baptism]]

[[Category: Baptism]]