pp. 153–171
John the Baptist was the last Old Testament prophet. Presumably he lived among the Essenes for a long time and partly accepted their ideas, but separated from them later, following the “God’s call”. According to the Gospels, John the Baptist saw the purpose of his baptism in preparing people to meeting the Lord. Jesus Himself came to receive baptism from him to begin His ministry, and John witnessed that He was the Messiah. John’s sermon and activity were in order to preach the gospel that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Jesus Christ asserted that “from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence”.
Keywords: Messiah, John the Baptist, Essenes, baptism of repentance, service.