From the Pulpit...

As the forerunner of Jesus, John preached two primary messages: people should repent; and the kingdom of heaven was about to arrive with the coming of the long-awaited Messiah, the true King of Israel (Daniel 2:44). Matthew quotes Isaiah 40:3 to refer to John the Baptist as the one crying in the wilderness. John also quotes this text in reference to himself (John 1:23). John's baptism was not only a baptism of repentance (confessing their sins) but also preparation for the Messiah, the One who would wash people of their sins through His shed blood. Because the Pharisees and Sadducees detested each other's teachings, they did not normally attend functions together. Matthew indicates that the religious authorities had sent investigators to observe John's works and hear his teachings. John rebuked them for their pride and gross misuse of authority. Water unto repentance (cleansing), the Holy Spirit (upon salvation), and fire (judgement) are three separate baptisms.