N.T. Intro. Week

In learning about the birth of John the Baptist I learned first about his father Zacharias.  I learned that his father was much older and that his mother was past her child bearing years.  His father was serving in the temple when he received word that he would have a child and that the child's name was to be John.  Zacharias was so astounded and disbelieving that he was struck dumb.  He did regain the ability to speak once again when he confirmed the baby's name once he was born, and explained what had occurred in the temple.

There are many reasons why the people of John's time would celebrate his birth and his consequent mission.  The first reason being is that he was the one chosen to prepare the people for the coming of Christ.  He was responsible for teaching them what they needed to know in order to recognize Christ for who he was when He came.

John also testified of the Savior even after he had baptized him.  He was also a key tutor of at least two of the Twelve Apostles before they had been appointed.  There is also the possibility that he taught more of the apostles than the two that followed him before meeting Christ.  He was a devout preacher of the gospel and taught all those within his influence.

Another key point in his mission is that John restored the Aaronic priesthood on the banks of the Susquehanna River.