CHARACTER STUDY ~ JOHN THE BAPTIST

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John the Baptist is the child of Zacharias and Elizabeth, begotten in their old age when the Angel Gabriel made it known to Zacharias at the hour of incense. He is the voice that cried in the wilderness saying make straight the way of the Lord. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

Some Characteristics of John Baptist:
√ He was born and raised by righteous parents.
√ He was the voice of the one crying in the wilderness saying make straight the way of the Lord.
√ John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey.
√ As his name implies, he baptised many in the river Jordan after preaching repentance unto them. 
√ He also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized
√ He bold declare he is not the Christ; “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
√ He declare Christ as; “Behold, the Lamb of God!”
√ He taught his disciples how to pray and it was a reference point for Jesus' disciples to request He teaches them how to pray; “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.”
√ While in prison, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus a question: “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?” This can be characterized to the reports his disciples brought to him.
√ He is a disciplined and honest man. When Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the wicked things Herod had done, Herod locked John up in prison.
√ Herod the tetrarch beheaded him when Herodias' daughter requested for his head on a platter. His disciples came for his body and buried him.


Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 3:1-17; 14:1-12; Mark 1:1-9; Luke 1; 3:1-22; 7:18-35; John 3:1-36; 

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