Mark 1:4-8 (ESV)
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
How did John the Baptist get this message? Did Jesus convey it to him? Did God covey it to him? This was implied and talked about by Isaiah (especially Isaiah 51-61). Or, since John the Baptist was simply a man of Scripture, did he simply preach what he read in Scripture?
We don’t really know the answers to these questions. We do know that when John was born his parents were told the following:
Luke 1:12-17 (ESV)
And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
God prepared John the Baptist just for this moment. From birth he was given this ministry. It is likely that his father instructed him about this. It is likely he studied the Scriptures. It likely that the Spirit of God indwelled him, as the Spirit came upon those in the Old Testament.
Numbers 11:25-26 (ESV)
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it.
Now two men REMAINED in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp.
When God gives you a ministry, He also equips you for that ministry. He equips in many ways. We are not told how John was equipped, but we are told of some ways that God equips us. Here is a seven day prayer list to watch for ways God equips us for our ministry:
Hebrews 13:21 (ESV)
equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
(MacArthur New Testament Commentary) Katartismos (Katar-kizz-most) (equipping) basically refers to that which is fit, is restored to its original condition, or is made complete. The word was often used as a medical term for the setting of bones.
MacArthur’s list of how God equips us for ministry:
MONDAY - God’s Word
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
TUESDAY - Prayer
Colossians 4:12 (ESV)
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
1 Thessalonians 3:10 (ESV)
as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
WEDNESDAY - Leadership/Teaching
Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
THURSDAY - Testing
James 1:2-3 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
FRIDAY - Suffering
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
SATURDAY - Other believers
Galatians 6:1 (ESV)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
SUNDAY - Spiritual Gifts
Ephesians 4:8 (ESV)
Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”
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