Who is John the Baptist and why is he called the Forerunner?

All Christians in the world know the celebrated couple of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. The names of these two personalities are inextricably linked. In this case, if almost every devout person knows the history of Jesus' life, then not everyone knows about John the Baptist's earthly path.

Historical information about the Baptist

Who is John the Baptist and what is his role in the Christian religion? Unfortunately, documentary evidence (other than the Gospel) and a couple of biographies about the deeds of this man are practically not preserved. Despite this, John the Baptist is a real person, the existence of which no one even disputes. This grandiose in importance person became the "Forerunner" of Jesus Christ. Many people do not understand what this word means. The meaning of the word "forerunner" in different sources is treated differently. It is a predecessor, a person who, with his activity, has prepared the way for something or someone, an event or phenomenon that has prepared the ground for other acts. John the Baptist was the son of an elderly high priest Zacharias, desperate to have an heir, and his righteous wife Elizabeth. In the biblical writings it is said that he was born six months before Jesus. About his appearance in the light and service to the Lord was announced by the angel Gabriel. Isaiah and Malachi also spoke about his birth. He was called the Baptist because he performed the ritual of bathing (baptism) of a man in the waters of the river. Jordan as its spiritual renewal.

The exact place where John was born is not indicated in any source. It is believed that he was born in Ein Karem, the suburb of Jerasulim. Today on this site stands the Franciscan monastery dedicated to this Saint. Many theologians believe that Father John Zachariah was killed in the temple by the order of King Herod after he refused to indicate the whereabouts of his newborn son. The mother of the Baptist saved him from slaughter during the massacre of Bethlehem infants, hiding in the desert. According to legend, she heard about the search for John, went with him to the mountain. In a loud voice, Elizabeth ordered the mountain to cover her and her son, after which the rock opened and let her in. At that time, they were constantly guarded by the angel of the Lord.

Information about John

All the circumstances of the birth and life of John the Baptist are described in detail in the Gospel of Luke. He spent his youth in the desert. The life of John the Baptist until its appearance to the people was ascetic. He wore clothes made of coarse wool of a camel and belted with a leather strap. John the Baptist ate dried acrid (insect locusts) and wild honey. At the age of thirty, he began to preach to the people in the Judean Desert. John the Baptist of the Forerunner called on people to repent of their sins and to follow the righteous life. His speeches were laconic, but they made a strong impression. One of his favorite phrases is: "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is approaching!" It was thanks to John that the expression "the voice of one crying in the desert" appeared, because in this way he expressed his protest to orthodox Judaism.

Introduction to the use of the designation "Forerunner"

For the first time John the Baptist called the "Forerunner" the Gnostic Heraklion, who lived in the II century. In the future this designation was adopted by the Christian scientist Clement of Alexandria. In the Orthodox Church, both epithets "Forerunner" and "Baptist" are used equally often, while in the Catholic church the second is used much more often. John in Russia has long been dedicated to two great people honored by the people: Ivan Kupala and Ivan Golovosek (Beheading).

The influence of John the Baptist on the people

Preaching the Baptist began around 28 AD. He rebuked people for their pride by their chosenness and demanded the restoration of old patriarchal norms of ethics. The power of the Forerunner's sermons was so great that the people of Jerusalem and all the Jewish neighborhoods came to him to be baptized. Dedication to the water, John produced in the river. Jordan. At the same time he said that when God bathes, God lets him sins. Immersion in water and repentance, he called the preparation for the acceptance of the Messiah, which was soon to appear in these parts. On the banks of the Jordan, John continued to preach, gathering around him an increasing number of followers. There is information that even the Pharisees (a religious group that called for scrupulous observance of the Law) and the Sadducees (the higher clergy and aristocrats) came to baptize under the influence of the Baptist's speeches, but John drove them without baptism.

The essence of the teachings of John the Baptist

At the beginning of his preaching work, the Forerunner combined the call for repentance with immersion in the sacred waters of the Jordan. This procedure symbolized the purification from human sins and preparation for the coming of the Messiah.

John's preaching to soldiers, tax collectors and other people

In addition to communicating with ordinary people, the Baptist devoted much time to preaching soldiers. He urged them not to slander, not to offend anyone, and also to be content with their salaries. The forerunner asked tax collectors not to demand more than what is prescribed by law. All people, regardless of their position and wealth, he called to share both food and clothing. Followers of the Baptist created a community called "John's disciples". Among her kind she was distinguished by extremely strict asceticism.

Prophecy of the Messiah

St. John the Baptist answered the question of the messenger of God to the Jerusalem Pharisees: "I baptize in water, but stands among you, whom you do not know. He who follows me, but who is ahead of me. " With these words he confirms the coming to earth of the Messiah.

Meet John the Baptist with Jesus

Jesus Christ among other Israelites came to the banks of the Jordan to listen to the preaching of John. Almost immediately he asked for baptism from the hand of the Forerunner to "fulfill all truth." Despite all its severity, the Prophet John the Baptist pointed to the people for Christ as the Lamb of God. The Evangelists Matthew, Mark and Luke wrote about a meeting between the Forerunner and Jesus. At the same time, the Apostle John writes about two moments of communication between these individuals. Thus, for the first time before the Baptist appeared a stranger, in which the Spirit in the form of a white dove pointed him to the Lamb of God. The next day, Christ and the Forerunner met again. It was then that John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus the Messiah, which became, according to the theologians, his main feat.

The Baptism of Jesus

At the time when John the Baptist was in Bethavar by the Jordan River, Jesus came to him, who wanted to be baptized. Since today the exact location of this settlement can not be established, the place of washing of Christ from the XVI century is considered to be a site on the river bank, where the monastery of St. John is located. It is located a kilometer from Beit Avara, east of Jericho, 10 km.

During the baptism of Jesus, "the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, and a voice from heaven said:" You are My Son, Beloved, in You My favor. " Thus, thanks to John, the Messianic mission of the Son of God was witnessed. Baptism had a strong influence on Jesus, which is why it is seen by the evangelists as the very first important event in the Messianic social activities. After the meeting with Christ, John baptized people in Enon, which is located near Salim.

After the baptism, Jesus became John's successor. He even began his speeches, like the Forerunner, with an appeal for repentance and a proclamation of the approach of the Kingdom of Heaven. Theologians believe that without Christ, John's preaching would be ineffective. At the same time, without the Baptist as Messiah, who prepared the ground for the preaching of Jesus, his reading would not find such a response from the people.

The Meaning of John the Baptist in Christianity

Despite all his services, the Baptist in religious traditions is not at all equated with Christ. Although he was the oldest in age and was the first to preach repentance and the coming of the Kingdom of God, he is still lower than Jesus. John the Baptist is often compared with the Old Testament prophet Elijah, who also acted as a zealot for the one Supreme Yahweh and fought against false gods.

The Way of John the Baptist to the Execution

Like Jesus Christ, the Forerunner had his own way of life in execution. It is connected with the conviction of the Baptist of the Palestinian tetrarch (the person who inherited part of the kingdom of the father) Herod Antipas. He renounced the universal principles of morality and many religious rules. Herod Antipas married his brother's wife Herodias, thus violating Jewish customs. John the Baptist openly condemned this ruler. At the instigation of the evil Herodias Herod Antipas in about 30 CE. Concluded the Forerunner in prison, but, being afraid of the people's anger, still kept his life.

The beheading of John the Baptist

Herodias could not forgive the insult to John the Baptist, so she waited for a convenient moment to implement her treacherous plan of revenge. On the day when Herod Antipas celebrated his birth and gave a lavish feast for the elders and nobles, he wished the dance of Salome, the daughter of Herodias. She pleased the ruler and his guests so much that he told her to ask him for anything. At the request of Herodias Salome, she demanded the head of the Baptist on a platter. Despite his fear of popular indignation, Herod fulfilled his promise. On his orders, in the dungeon, the head of John the Baptist was chopped off and Salome was given, who gave it to her treacherous mother. The reliability of this fact is confirmed by the "Jewish Antiquities" written by Josephus Flavius.

The image of John the Baptist in the world art

St. John the Baptist attracted not only artists and sculptors, but also composers. In the Renaissance, many geniuses of fine art turned to the image and episodes of the life of the Forerunner. In addition, the artists also portrayed Salome, dancing or holding a tray with the head of the Baptist. His works were devoted to such masters as Giotto, Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Rodin, El Greco. The world-famous painting of the artist A. Ivanov "The Appearance of Christ to the people" is dedicated to the meeting of the Baptist with Jesus. In the Middle Ages, bronze and terracotta figures of the Forerunner were very popular.

The meaning of the Forerunner in world religions

John the Baptist is revered as the last of the prophets-forerunners of the Messiah, not only in Christianity. In Islam and such religious currents as the Baha'is and Mandaeans, he is worshiped under the name Yalya (Yahya). In some Arab Christian churches, it is known as Johanna.

The burial place of the Baptist

According to legend, Herodias for several days mocked the head of the Baptist. After that, she told me to bury her in a dump. According to other sources, the head in a clay pitcher was buried on the Mount of Olives. It is believed that the headless body of the Forerunner was buried in Sebastia (Samaria) near the grave of the prophet Elisha. Even the apostle Luke wanted to take his body to Antioch, but local Christians gave him only the right hand (the right hand) of the Holy One. In 362 AD. The tomb of John the Baptist was defeated by the apostates. His remains were burnt and ashes scattered. Despite this, many believe that the imperishable body of the Forerunner was saved and transported to Alexandria. The relics of John the Baptist, represented by his right hand and head, are considered miraculous. They are very revered shrines. The head of John the Baptist, according to some sources, is kept in the Roman church of San Silvestro in Capite, on others in the Umayyad mosque in Damascus. Also known for such shrines in Amiens (France), Antioch (Turkey), Armenia. According to the Orthodox tradition, the head of the Baptist was found three times. Where in fact there is a real relic, it's hard to say, but parishioners of different churches believe that their "head" is genuine.

The hand of John is in the Cetinje monastery, which is located in Montenegro. The Turks claim that it is kept in the museum of the palace of Sultan Topkapi. There is information about the right hand at the Coptic Monastery. Even the empty tomb of the Baptist is still visited by pilgrims who believe in its miraculous.

Holidays in honor of the Forerunner

The Orthodox Church established the following festivals dedicated to John the Baptist:

• Conception of the Precursor - October 6.
• The Nativity of John is on the 7th of July.
• The head cut is September 11th.
• Cathedral of the Baptist - January 20.