Believe! The Gospel of John

WK 2– “John the Baptist”

John 1:18-34 NASB

March 8, 2026

John Arobio

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The word herald is defined as:

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2. _____________________

3. _____________________

4. _____________________

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John 1:14 NASB

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us: and we saw His glory,

glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

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R__________

A__________

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E__________

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So, who is this, John?

He is commonly known as John the Baptist because he preaching the people,

calling on them to repent and turn back to God, and was baptizing them as sign of repentance.

He is a Herald for Jesus coming.

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Luke 1:16-17 NASB

¹⁶And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.

¹⁷And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah.

TO TURN THE HEARTS OF FATHERS BACK TO THEIR CHILDREN,

and the disobedient to the attitude of righteous and make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

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Luke 1:76-77 NASB

“And you, child, also will be called the prophet of the Most High.

For you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways:

⁷⁷to give His people the knowledge of salvation. By the forgiveness of their sins.”

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John grew and lived in the desert becoming strong in spirit until the day of his public appearance in Israel.

When this happened, he began to preach repentance and turning back to the God of their fathers.

He also performed baptisms in water as a sign of their repentance.

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John 1:19-21 NASB

¹⁹This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him. “Who are you?” ²⁰And he confessed and did not deny; and this is what he confessed: “I am not the Christ.” And so, they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

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Who is John the Baptist not?

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John 1:23 NASB

²³He said, “I am THE VOICE OF ONE CALLING OUT IN THE WILDERNESS.

‘MAKE THE WAY OF THE LORD STRAIGHT.’ As Isaiah the prophet said.”

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The term “make the way of the Lord straight or make straight a highway for our God”

means to remove the obstacles like the boulders of sin,

the valley of low faith and the pride that interfere with God coming into hearts.

By removing them it leaves a clear direct path to God.

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John the Baptist is really the transition figure between the Old and New Testaments. He is really the last prophet of the Old Testament. Most people would say Malachi was. Malach was the last prophet to speak before the 400 years of silence. But John the Baptist is giving us prophecy before the coming of Jesus. So, he is the first prophet to speak after 400 years and is also the last prophet to speak before Jesus begins His ministry. Thus, he is the last Old Testament prophet. He is prophesizing that Jesus would soon come and He would be the Messiah and would bring salvation and would baptize with the Holy Spirit.

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John 1:26 NASB

 ²⁶John answered them saying, “I baptize with water, but among you stands One whom you do not know.

²⁷It is He who comes after me, of whom I am not even worthy to untie strap of His sandal.”

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John the Baptist is really the transition figure between the Old and New Testaments.

He is really the last prophet of the Old Testament.

So, he is the first prophet to speak after 400 years od silence.

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John 1:29-30 NASB

²⁹The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said,

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

³⁰This is He in behalf of whom I said,

‘After me is coming a Man who has proved to be my superior, because He existed before me.’”

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The Bottom Line:

God has a plan for you.

We are the new Heralds.

We are the new John the Baptists preparing the way.

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Mid-week Bible Studies:

(details on Communication board in Entry)

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Monday:  Adamson’s House- 6pm dinner/fellowship 7pm study

See Paul or Paulette or call or text 775-813-7615 for details.

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Wed Night – 7pm Ladies Bible study at the church.

Bring your Bible to dig into Gods Word with other ladies.

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Serving Opportunities:

Donut/Coffee : need two people Pick up pre-purchased donuts, make coffee 1x month, arrive 8:30am.

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Kids/Teens– help needed Sunday / midweek, see Paul or Sean

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Events Calendar:

Passion Week:

March 29

Palm Sunday

April 2

Maundy Thursday (Last Supper-like dinner)

April 3

Good Fri Service

April 5

Easter Sunday Service

April  – Blessings Month

How can we bless others (w/in church or community)?

Not just needs but extra above and beyond expectations.

Suggestions see Paulette or any event team.

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Flocknote

Want to be more in tune with Church Events and Announcements?

Text SSBRIDGE to 84576 and answer the prompts!

Get one or two text messages each week for updates to important church related events.

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Digital Giving

Zelle is a digital option for giving your tithes or offerings to support the church to fulfill the Great Commission.

If you would prefer to give digitally:

Go to your bank app on your phone or computer.  Go to the payments section.  Go to the Zelle payment option. If available, scan the link below in the payment section that lists Zelle as an option.  There should be an icon asking to “scan the pay” or something similar.

Zelle Link (scan from your bank app)

Account email is:  accounting@thebridgespanishsprings.com for the Account “The Bridge Church Spanish Springs”.  As a security measure, your bank may want to send you a text to verify your first payment.

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John 1:1 NASB

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

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Passages for next week if you would like to look ahead:

John 1:35-50

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1. What does it mean to “herald” a message?

2. What is the context of the first chapter of John? Why does John write the gospel account when there were already 3 existing gospel accounts?

3. Read John 1:14-18, what is meant by “grace upon grace” in verse 16?

4. What were some of the characteristics of John the Baptist’s ministry? Is it similar to our ministry today?  Why or why not?

5. Read Luke 1:13-17, what would the forerunner of Jesus mission focus on according to these verses? How are Jesus and John the Baptist related?

6. Read John 1:19-24, what does the word for “confessed” in verse 20 mean in the original language? What are some ways you can find the word and definition in the original language?  What is the word in the original language for “Christ”?  What is the definition?  What are some of the ways Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament promises for a Messiah?  What were some of the promises?

7. Who is Elijah in scripture? Why do you think they would ask if John the Baptist was Elijah?

8. Read John 1:25-30, who is the last prophet of the Old Testament? What is meant by “lamb of God”?  What is the significance of John the Baptist’ ministry in terms of prophecy?  Is anyone worthy to tie Jesus’ sandal strap?  Why or why not?

9. Read John 1:32-34, what is meant by, “baptizes with the Holy Spirit”?  Is everyone baptized with the Holy Spirit?  Why or why not?