Why did John the Baptist preach repentance and baptism?
John preached repentance and baptism because the King and the Kingdom were then on the scene. The King was ready to fulfill the covenant promises of being their King. John baptized with water unto repentance, but pointed to Christ, who is mightier and whose shoes John was not worthy to bear.
Les explains that John the Baptist preached repentance and baptism because the King and the Kingdom were on the scene. The King was now ready to fulfill the covenant promises of being their King. John baptized with water unto repentance, but he declared that Christ, coming after him, is mightier and that John was not worthy to bear His shoes. Les also notes that water baptism was appropriate for the Jew, yet today it is the Word that cleanses, not baptism, and people can twist the Scriptures.