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What did St. John the Baptist teach about Godās coming judgment?
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St. John the Baptist
John the Baptist in the Wilderness, oil on panel by Geertgen tot Sint Jans, 15th century; in the GemƤldegalerie, Berlin.
St. John the Baptist taught that Godās Last Judgment on the world was imminent. He urged all people to prepare for this event by repenting of their sins, living a righteous life characterized by justice and charity, and producing appropriate fruits of repentance.12
To symbolize this preparation, John performed a rite of baptism by immersion in running water. This act served as an anticipatory submission to the coming judgment rather than a sacrament of salvation or rebirth. John taught that a figure mightier than himself would follow, who would perform a second "baptism" with the Holy Spirit and with fireāa process that may symbolize the judgment itself, described as a river of fire.12