John the Baptist preached against sin?

Question

Jesus never became angry at anyone for preaching against sin. If this were the case, then Jesus would have been very angry at John the Baptist, because John was a Hell-raising, leather-lunged, barn-storming, window-rattling, foundation-shaking, preacher! In Mark 6:17-18 we read, "For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife." Herod had John the Baptist arrested and put into prison, because John preached against Herod's adulterous relationship with his brother's wife. John was a true street preacher. Many people today would consider John a hatemonger, full of delusions, and a religious hypocrite. However, John was a Christ-honoring man of God! Jesus even called him the greatest born amongst women (Matthew 11:11). John wasn't judging Herod, or condemning him. No, John was proclaiming the Word of God. Most people don't understand this. If John was pointing out Herod's faults in self-righteousness, then John would be sinning. However, John didn't do that. John pointed out Herod's sins because John loved the Lord and hated sin! John was shortly thereafter executed for his crime of preaching the truth. John was willing to die for what he believed to be right. How about you? Every believer who loves the Lord is commanded to hate evil ... "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil..."

Let me say, everyone is NOT God's child. Most people have the foolish idea that EVERYONE is a child of God. This is simply not Biblical. If you've never received Christ as your personal Saviour, believing upon His name, then you're not a child of God ... "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." We are not saved by giving up bad works, or by doing good works. We are saved by confessing our sinful condition to God, and then believing upon Jesus Christ to forgive those sins. If the preaching of the Word of God offends you, then so be it! But if you go to Hell, it won't be because my website offended you, or some other Christ-honoring preacher. It will be because you love your sins, and willingly refuse to come to Jesus Christ for salvation. Jesus clearly stated in John 5:40, "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life." Notice that Jesus didn't say "cannot." No, Jesus said "will not." If you go to Hell, you'll have no one to blame but yourself. It's not uncompromising preaching against sin that turns people away from Jesus Christ; BUT, their wicked heart of unbelief and love for sin.

Answer 1

I agree with you totally but disagree on one thing that you say clearly. You said this ....

Let me say, everyone is NOT God's child. Most people have the foolish idea that EVERYONE is a child of God. This is simply not Biblical.

You're way wrong on that my friend ...

The moment that Jesus Christ was sent to deliver us, he became flesh and when he died on the cross he was in human form and his Holy Spirit was within. God resurrected Him to deliver us all from evil, and the moment that Jesus Christ died on the cross, we all were children of God that moment.

Another "Biblical" fact that proves this as well is the fact that in the Book of Genesis, referencing the Alpha and Revelations the Omega, we all came from Adam and Eve. God created man Yes, and the first man was Adam and Eve was the only woman. They had two (2) sons, Cain and Able so where do you think you came from ... definately not Cain and Able??? We all are products from Adam and Eve, Eve and Cain, Eve and Able ... and so on and so on ... so from that leading up to the death of Jesus Christ and his rising, we are all considered Children of God and if you do not believe that ... then I feel sorry for you when the Lord comes in Revelations because you have to believe to get into the Kingdom .. . not just testify and write biblical texts on this Yahoo! Answers!

Answer 2

Much of what you say is true, but I have a problem with this:

"We are saved by confessing our sinful condition to God, and then believing upon Jesus Christ to forgive those sins."

This is a huge lie being taught in just about every Catholic and Protestant group. Here is what scripture says about salvation:

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." - Mat 10:22

"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." - Mat 24:13

In practically every place in scripture dealing with salvation, you see the phrase SHALL BE or WILL BE, suggesting future tense. Therefore as someone calling yourself a messenger or witness (or whatever you consider yourself to be), please stop teaching that once someone says a quick prayer they are then "saved". It is not scriptural.

Salvation is a reward for those who live by (believe in) the Word and endure faithfully until the end. It is not received once sin is confessed and Christ is "believed upon". It is a lifestyle and lifetime commitment that leads to salvation.

If you use phrases like "I got saved back in 1987" or "Sue got saved last Sunday", I urge you, STOP IT. It is not scriptural and is a major lie blinding so called Christians from reality.

Answer 3

We are all sons and daughters of God. Adam was created by the Father of all mankind but as a result of Adams sin we have been separated from Him. That is why God sent himself as Jesus to sacrifice His life for our sins so that we might be reunited with our father. Have your parents ever said "Go to your room!" when you were in trouble? Does that mean that while you were in your room you were no longer your parents child??? Oh by the way what was the Question???

Answer 4

There was more to John the Baptist than his preaching. Learn what else he was up to in the below free book. A fun read about some kids who challenge the great theologians.

Answer 5

I give up, Cindy, where is the question? You set forth a list of facts, provided resources as substantiation, and drew conclusions from them. You have not posed a question, you have set forth an argument and expect responses to it.

Since this is a place for questions and not debate, it is my opinion that your statements should be pulled to free the server for questions.

Answer 6

Let me ask you something,do you even know what the word hell means. It means the grave. There is no burning hell,and God dosent burn His children. Also read your Bible a little better and you will discover that God reconciles ALL things unto Himself.

Answer 7

Let she who is without sin cast the first stone.

Judge not, lest ye be judge.

Love thyne enemy.

Turn the other cheek.

Love thy neighbor as you would love yourself.

Answer 8

What, in God's name, do you think you are accomplishing here, Cindy? Really. You are sincere, I'm sure...but you are sincerely coming off as a nutter.

In His Love,

Fr. K.

Answer 9

Jesus told the religious leaders that they were of their father, the devil.

Answer 10

Yes he did but what was your question?

Pastor Art