Travis63

Why is repentance so central to the Kingdom of God?Although the book of Matthew was not written to us, it was written for us. As it applied to the people of the 1st Century it does to us as well. Repentance is needed, it is necessary, and individual cannot walk (live) as they desire to live according to their understanding alone. People should not live with / by a misunderstanding of the Scriptures as did the spiritual leaders of Jesus' day. Just as they needed to change and have the proper guidance, people of this day need to change and walk with proper guidance. Just as the people of the 1st Century needed to turn away from self-centeredness; "self" control and turning our life over to Christ's direction and control, as do we. We need to live a repentant life so that we may live by His empowering grace where by the beattitudes are possible even though paradoxical. In my opinion repentance so central to the Kingdom of God for it allows God to use us, it allows us to adhere to the Holy Spirit's leading. Why is baptism important to converts to the King? it is important to the King when it is genuine, whereby it will be a testimony of a repentant heart and that of obedience to God. Through repentance and baptism we become available, by being available we can be used. The Light reflected from us can be seen whereby we can glorify the Father. Can Christ reign in an unrepentant heart? It is of my belief that he will not. God is not a dictator, nor is He codependent. He will not force His reign on any being nor does He need us to feel validated. The rocks will cry out if we don't. Unrepentance equates to willful disobedience to Christ

What is the point of comparison between John

How would John's baptism have offended a Jew's national pride? It is my belief do to the fact that baptism by immersion was associated with people from other nations whom desired to become a proselyte this would have offended a Jew, and most certainly the leadership. In the minds of those who chose not to come unto the baptism of repentance they did not need to. They were blind by a perceived title of entitlement and pride. In their minds why should they confess, what were they to repent of. They followed the Law (in their understanding); they were of Abraham. confessing their sins (Proverbs 28:12)In Matthew ,3 baptism was used as an outward sign of repentance and forgiveness, identifying with the message John preached. History tells us that the Hebrews were familiar with washing in regards to cleansing (Exodus 30:17-21 repeated washing , wash, Ezekiel 36:25). Spoken word (Talmud) and history tells us they were familiar with baptism of proselytes from heathenism (self immersion). This baptism was not simply following what had been practiced, it placed the hearer Jewish and non-Jew at the same circumstance, challenging them REPENT, start all over. To ask them to baptize as did the proselyte (gentiles), a stranger who desired to be adopted into the family of Israel was offensive to them in their minds. Who welcomed John's baptism? Jesus, Scripture tells us that Jesus knew no sin, so why did Jesus ask to be baptized? The words for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness imply that it was necessary for the plan of God. Truthfully only Christ knows, however we can speculate some good reasons He did: He was advancing God's work - He did not stand as an onlooker as did the Pharisees & Sadducees - He was endorsing the call of John the Baptizer - He by His actions was confessing the sins on behalf of the nation - He was identifying with the penitent people of God - He was giving an example to those afterwards (to include us) - He was obedient to the Father. Lastly there was no particular precept in the Old Testament requiring a Hebrew to be baptized by immersion. Although Jesus was not after the Levitical priesthood, Scripture declares Him as High Priest. As the high priest was initiated into His office by washing and anointing, so must Jesus. Therefore although without sin He was baptized, washed, and anointed by the Holy Ghost. By doing so He fulfilled the righteous ordinance of His initiation into the office of high priest, and thus was prepared (preparing) to make an atonement for the sins of mankind. Who resisted it? The Pharisees, the Sadducees and those they influenced Why? I believe the main reason was FLESH, pride. The common teaching of that day said that the Jews participated in the merits of Abraham, which made their prayers acceptable, helped in war, expiated sins, appeased the wrath of God, and assured a share in God's eternal Kingdom. Prophetically the mentioned are true, (Abraham believed God) just as one must believe and have a personal relationship with God, they must also repent of their own sins. Consequently John and Jesus preached the necessity of personal repentance.

What happens when people adopt the Christian faith without repent of their known sins? "Adopting the Christian faith" isn't the same thing as becoming a Christian. The initial repentance that precedes receiving Christ is only the beginning of a life of repentance. Repentance doesn't just happen once in a Christian's life but is an integral part of the walk of faith with Christ. If people say they are Christians and do not repent they only put on an outward show of loving God, but inside they know they want to keep ding the old things, following the desires of the old self. This leads to living in bondage and not realizing it. Why do people avoid repentance? I would say that people avoid repentance but more so a repented lifestyle. This is difficult to answer, through speculation I'd say because we enjoy sin. As you know there are different kinds of sins, to simplify that statement I'll just say sins of omission and sins of commission. When a person know that they have sinned they should repent, however Self a.k.a flesh becomes the deterrent. Unfortunately they will remain in that state until genuine conviction takes place. simply put they avoid repenting because they like what they are doing and or doesn't believe it is "that bad". They are not viewing sin the way that God does, thereby Satan smiles. Another unfortunate is that only one facet of GRACE is preach. Ministers in the church houses preach it as a get of jail card whereby many frustrate the grace of God. The messages are reinforced and reinforced to the point that in actuality it becomes sermons that fall on "itching ears", sermons that preach what the people want to hear vise preaching on what thus saith the Lord, instead of preaching on what God wanted preached to the people. What percentage of Christians today do you think are unrepentant, unprepared in heart? The percentage of Christians that are not repentant is known only to God. Not being judgmental nor omniscience I suspect high. The perception / impression that there are many hypocrites in the church houses is not that Christians sin, it is because many live in sin. The onlooker rarely see the individuals turn from iniquities.