John the Baptist's father, Zacharias, was a member of the Jewish priesthood, while his mother, Elizabeth, was related to Mary and received a divine visitation foretelling the coming of a son who would prepare the way for the Messiah. [1] John, named by Gabriel, will be the forerunner of the divine teacher and will turn many souls to God. [2] John the Baptist was born in the City of Judah on March 25, 7 B.C., fulfilling the promise Gabriel had made to Elizabeth the year before. [3]
Despite the confusion caused by what he heard from his parents and read in the Scriptures, John's mother Elizabeth assured him that Jesus was the true Messiah. [4]
John the Baptist received Jerusalem schooling from rabbi Nahor, who had recommended Jesus to be educated in the same city. [5]
Jesus never sought John the approval as he was never ordained by the Sanhedrin, relying instead on his own authority and his Father's eternal supremacy. [6] John and Elizabeth lost their home when he rejected the priest's allowance, leading them to move south with the sheep herd to Hebron. [7] John was from infancy impressed with the idea he was to be a spiritual leader. [8] Upon the death of his mother Elizabeth, twenty-eight-year-old John the Baptist began his powerful ministry as the herald of the Messiah. [9]
John kingdom concept laid the groundwork for the expanded idea of the kingdom taught by Jesus. [10]
John early cryptic message was "Repent and be baptized", but he later expanded his teachings to include the good tidings of the joy and liberty of the new kingdom. [11] John the Baptist taught a simple prayer to be a guide for others, but not as a rigid formula for personal expression in prayer. [12] John presented his flock to the Nazarites. [13] John acknowledged the prophecy regarding Jesus and declared, “He must increase but I must decrease.”. [14] John thundered the parable of Lazarus and Dives as a warning against loving riches and coveting dishonest wealth. [15] John baptized over 100,000 penitents in 15 months for the remission of sins, a new and unique practice among the Jews. [16]
John preached a religion of repentance, self-examination, and self-denial, believing the end of the age was imminent and the kingdom of heaven was at hand. [17] About the apostles of John see link below.
Before his sixth birthday in 1 B.C., John the Baptist visited Jesus and had a joyful time playing together. [18] Jesus and John's decision to wait until beginning public service led to a separation that deepened their commitment to their respective callings. [19] Rumors of John reached Jesus as he preached and baptized in the Jordan, leading to their eventual meeting in Capernaum. [20] At Jesus' baptism by John, a strange sound and a voice from above confirmed Jesus as the beloved Son of God. [21] Jesus' motive for seclusion was not for fasting or asceticism, but to clearly comprehend his relationships and plan his future public labors. [22] John was saddened by the loss of Andrew and Peter in favor of Jesus, but bravely acknowledged their departure as the beginning of a new era. [23] Jesus, in the hills, planned his Urantia bestowal, purposefully avoiding teaching alongside John to protect him from potential harm. [24] Herod kept John in prison because he feared rebellion if released and feared riot if put to death, due to the belief that he was a holy man. [25]
Despite being in prison and feeling abandoned, John's faith and loyalty to Jesus remained steadfast, even as he longed for a visit or word from the Son of Man. [26] John received Jesus' last message of comfort and guidance before they parted ways after their last meeting on the banks of the Jordan. [27]
Jesus identified John the Baptist as Elijah, causing Peter to fear the unpleasant idea of the Master's death and prompting a diverting conversation about the scribes' belief in Elijah preceding the Messiah. [28]
Jesus' favorable words about John's message led many from Capernaum to join his cult of repentance and baptism as his fame spread throughout all Palestine. [29] The apostles were instructed by Jesus to reap the harvest sown by John the Baptist. [30]
Jesus started his ministry during the peak of John the Baptist's popularity, revealing a stark contrast in their approach and impact on people. [31]
John, hardly cultured but a clear thinker and powerful speaker, was an eloquent rebuke rather than an example, in contrast to the calm and happy laborer Jesus. [32] John was deemed the greatest born of women, but in the kingdom of heaven, even the smallest is greater. [33] John, a heroic but tactless preacher, warned the Pharisees and Sadducees to bring forth worthy fruit of sincere repentance before baptizing them. [34] Despite being in prison, John often tempted to doubt Jesus' divine mission, facing a great test of faith over a year and a half. [35]
John's parents, being well educated and descended from the priesthood, focused extensively on his mental and spiritual training due to him being an only child. [36]
John, over 6 feet tall with flowing hair, dressed like Elijah, a stalwart and picturesque child of nature, thundered his admonitions in the spirit and power of Elijah. [37]
John the Baptist died in prison at the fortress of Machaerus after being beheaded by Herod Antipas on the evening of January 10, A.D. 28. [38] He was beheaded by Herod in fear and sorrow, honoring his oath and the guests. [39]
Despite the division following John's pronouncement about Jesus, a remnant of believers in John persists in Mesopotamia. [40] John the Baptist, viewed as a prophet, stirred the souls of weary and expectant Jews with his message of the kingdom of heaven. [41]
John the Baptist is currently chairman of 24 counselors on Jerusem, acting as the forerunner of Michael’s mission on Urantia and the distant cousin of the Son of Man. [42]
Another and greater John the Baptist will arise, heralding the imminent arrival of the kingdom of God and embodying the true teachings of Jesus, free from the constraints of institutionalized religion and apocalyptic predictions. [43]
See also: UB 135.