Repentance, Baptism and The Kingdom - Part 2

John the Baptist has three elements to his ministry and message: that the kingdom of heaven was at hand; that all Israel should therefore repent; and that those who repented would be sealed with the ordinance of baptism.
Baptism plays a key role for John's ministry. While not unheard of before, it was the first time that God had ordained it as a sign for true Israel. Further, John remarks that the Messiah would also be a baptizer -but with the Holy Spirit and fire. Lastly, Jesus Christ Himself is baptized. In order to understand John's ministry - and the new covenant age - we must understand baptism.