In this Sunday School lesson from Luke 3, we examine the ministry of John the Baptist and his message of repentance. John was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus Christ, calling people to turn from sin and demonstrate the reality of that repentance through changed lives.

The phrase “the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” does not teach that baptism saves. Water baptism cannot forgive sin or produce salvation. Rather, John’s baptism was a public testimony that a person had repented and was turning toward God.

True repentance is more than feeling sorry. It is a change of mind that results in a change of direction. When God transforms a person inwardly, there should eventually be visible evidence outwardly. As a tree is known by its fruit, genuine repentance is revealed through changes in conduct, desires, priorities,  ...