Message Notes

POLITICAL SCENARIO

1. Reign of Tiberius Caesar (Rome)

a) Tiberius Caesar was the stepson of Augustus Caesar                    (Luke 3:1)

b) Augustus Caesar was the one who ordered the Census to be taken   (Luke 2:1)

2. Rulers in the days of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Quirinius (Luke 2:2)

He was the governor who oversaw the taking of the Census

b) Political rulers

Four tetrarchs ruled in Palestine after the death of King Herod (the one who massacred infants in Bethlehem)

i) Pontius Pilate (Luke 3:1)

He ruled as the governor of Judea

ii) Herod Antipas       (Luke 3:1)

                        He was a tetrarch of Galilee

iii) Philip                    (Luke 3:1)

                        He was the brother of Antipas and he ruled Iturea and Trachonitis

iv) Lysanias (Luke 3:1)

                        He was tetrarch of Abilene

c) Religious rulers

i) Two high priests named (Annas and Caiaphas)

ii) Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas

iii) Caiaphas was the existing high priest but Annas played a very strong role behind the scenes

THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTISER

1. The word of the Lord came to John the son of Zacharias (Luke 3:2)

a) Common phrase found in the Old Testament

b) It was used to describe the word of God that was sent to the prophets

(Jeremiah 1:1; 2:1 etc)

2. The ministry of John described

a) He preached the word of God

b) The focus: “Baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Luke 3:3)

c) It was in fulfilment of a prophecy proclaimed by Isaiah

3. The Prophecy of Isaiah (Luke 3:4-6; Isaiah 40:3-5)

a) The voice of one crying in the wilderness

b) Prepare the way of the Lord

c) Make His paths straight

d) Every valley shall be filled

e) And every mountain and hill shall be made straight

f) And the rough ways smooth

g) And all flesh shall see the salvation of God

4. Fulfilment

a) Not physical

b) Symbolic

c) Spiritual

5. Significance

a) Preparation of the heart is necessary

b) Repentance of sin is emphasised

c) Baptism is a significant expression of repentance from sin

d) John’s baptism was “preparatory”

e) Salvation of God

            This will be brought about by the Lord Jesus Christ