3:1, 8, 11 SALVATION, Repentance—John the Baptist’s message of repentance was the same as that of God’s earlier prophets (Jr 35:15). John announced the nearness of God’s kingdom, called for ethical fruit in keeping with repentance, and baptized in water as a sign of repentance. See Mk 1:4; Lk 3:3, 8. 3:2–5 REVELATION, Messengers—A prophet laid the foundation for the beginning of Jesus’s work. An ancient prophet had prepared the way for John (Is 40:3). God did everything possible to make his people