Repentance, Baptism and The Kingdom - Part 1

John the Baptist's message and ministry consists of three elements: the call to repentance, the announcement of the nearness of the kingdom, and the administration of baptism. In his ministry, John prepares the way for the coming of the kingdom - and, therefore, of its King, Messiah. Those who come into this kingdom do so by means of repentance, and testify of this repentance through the rite of baptism. Baptism, then, signifies confession of sin and the forgiveness that comes freely to those who repent.