Playlist:

playlist Go to the John the Baptist (topic) playlist

Elijah and John the Baptist

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus declares that none was greater than His cousin, John, known as 'the Baptist.' Jesus clearly says that John fulfilled the prophesied role of Elijah to come.


John (Part Four)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The apostle John has provided at least eight separate forms of witness, establishing the veracity of Jesus Christ's identity as God in the flesh.


John (Part Thirteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The myriad opinions of the crowd concerning Jesus were all conditioned from their perspectives and traditions, but hardly ever from God's perspective.


John (Part One)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

John presents Jesus, not as a phantom emanation, but as the reality, transcending the shadows represented by the temporal physical life.


John (Part Five)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

John and James were related, but still had to have the Messiah revealed to them. God is involved in the details of our lives as well as the great events in history.


John (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Even many extra-biblical sources such as Tacitus, Seconius, Justin Martyr, Pliny, and Josephus corroborate and validate the biblical accounts of Jesus.


John (Part Eight)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The woman of Samaria is like each of us, initially hardened, self-willed and skeptical when called, but afterwards zealous when enlightened by the truth.


John (Part Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

John emphasizes the reality of Jesus as the Logos (a word revealing hidden thought), the manifestation of God in the flesh, emphasizing His preexistence and divinity.


The Elijah Syndrome (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

We can draw several lessons from Elijah, particularly his belief that he was the only one left whom God could use. God is always doing more than we are aware.


The Elijah Syndrome

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Elijah fell into a dilemma of either fearing God or fearing man, and ended up fearing Jezebel rather than God, thinking he was alone in his zeal for God.


Prophets and Prophecy (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Although by no means a wild man, John the Baptist experienced alienation from people, especially the entrenched religious and political leaders.


Truth and God's Governance (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Jesus as not a typical revolutionary, seeking to overthrow a human regime, yet the truth He spoke was so radical that He was put to death cruelly for it.


The Sixth Century Axial Period (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Prophets, even though they may bring new messages, stay consistent with existing Scripture and doctrine as they speak on behalf of God.


The Lamb of God

Sermonette by Mike Ford

The work of John the Baptist was to introduce his cousin, Jesus, identifying the Lamb of God. We need to emulate His lamb-like characteristics.


The Sixth Century Axial Period (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

A prophet is one who carries a message from another. A true prophet's message will derive from existing Scripture, even if he is breaking new, unexplored ground.


Now Is the Time

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark Schindler

'Taking the Kingdom of Heaven by Force' has some rather dubious interpretations in the various popular commentaries.


Hebrews (Part Two): Who Was Jesus?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

If we understand the function of the Old Covenant as explained in Leviticus, we will better understand the New Covenant and not reject the law of the Savior.


Malachi's Appeal to Backsliders (Part Four)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

At the end of Malachi, the priests make seven feeble queries, questioning God's providence and His faithfulness, asking what good it does to be godly.


Four Views of Christ (Part 6)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Christ provides a model of how to live a godly life in the flesh, living life the way God lives it. Using His light, we can navigate our way in this world.


Matthew (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Jesus resisted Satan with the knowledge of God, resisting appeals to vanity, using power selfishly resisting to lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life.


Lift Up Your Voice Like a Trumpet

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Hardly anything is more dramatic than the blast of a trumpet. Alarm or warning is a primary function, and its other uses likewise culminate in the Feast of Trumpets.


Prophets and Prophecy (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy of the 'Elijah to come.' We must apply duality of prophecy carefully and cautiously rather than indiscriminately.


Four Views of Christ (Part 5)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Luke's gospel portrays Christ as the son of man, the high priest of man, and the savior of man, having all the feelings, compassions, and aspirations of man.


Matthew (Part Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus' 28 'missing' years were spent maturing, studying, and gaining life experience to equip Him as a high priest who could relate to human struggles.


Humble Service

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Jesus modeled the practice of foot-washing to demonstrate the need to be submissive to one another, to serve one another, including those who betray.


Matthew (Part Sixteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Matthew 11 focuses upon the ruminations of John the Baptist, who, even though he was close to Christ, may have misunderstood the nature of Christ's mission.