Page 40 - The Gospel Chronicle - Narrative

Narrative: To Restore and to Build

nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld
his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of
sins. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his
meat was locusts and wild honey. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying,
“This was he of whom I spake, ‘He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was
before me. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.’ For the law was given by

Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten
Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
Then there went out unto him all Jerusalem, and all the land of Judæa, and all the region round
about Jordan, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was

clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild
honey.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Saducees come to his baptism, then said he to the
multitude that came forth to be baptized of him,
“Oh generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask
him, Who art thou?
“Bring forth therefore fruits worthy for repentance: And begin not to say within yourselves,
‘We have Abraham to our father:’ For I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up

children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore
which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
And the people asked him, saying,
“What shall we do then?”
He answereth and saith unto them,

“He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do
likewise.”

18 • The Gospel Chronicle