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Why did St. John the Baptist call people to repent?
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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 called people to repent because he believed that Godās Final Judgment on the world was imminent.12
His mission was to prepare individuals for this impending judgment. By calling for repentance, he urged people to turn away from their sins and lead a righteous life characterized by justice and charity. This repentance was to be demonstrated through the production of appropriate "fruits," or virtuous actions.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, which John described as a future baptism by the Holy Spirit and fire.2