John the Baptist Preaches the Gospel

There are so many denominations on earth today that we need to examine if we have actually heard the gospel according to scripture.
John preached repentance in Matthew 3:1-12 to Israel.

Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said,“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’” Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Matthew 3:1-12 NASB

John the Baptist preached to repent and to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Then John says, One is coming—this is Jesus—to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John also states that Jesus will gather the wheat into the barns and burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. He warns these Pharisees and Sadducees not to think they are safe because they have Abraham as their father.

Strong’s Lexicon: The word “repent” is the Greek word metanoeō 3340, which means I repent, change my mind, change the inner man (particularly with reference to acceptance of the will of God), repent; to change one's mind or purpose.
HELPS Word-studies: 3340 metanoéō (from 3326 who, conscious of their sins and with manifest tokens of sorrow, are intent on obtaining God's pardon, to change one's mind for the better, and heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins.

After one's life is repentant, they should bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

Strong’s Lexicon: The word “bear” is the Greek word poieō 4160, which means to make, to do, to act, to cause, to work. Usage: The Greek verb "ποιέω" (poieó) is a versatile term used extensively in the New Testament. It generally means "to make" or "to do," encompassing a wide range of actions from creating and producing to performing and executing.

Strong’s Lexicon: The word “fruit” is the Greek word karpos, 2590, which means fruit. Jesus talks a lot about fruit when He speaks to people.
HELPS Word-studies: 2590 karpós – properly, fruit; (figuratively) everything done in true partnership with Christ, i.e. a believer (a branch) lives in union with Christ (the Vine). By definition, fruit (2590 /karpós) results from two life-streams – the Lord living His life through ours – to yield what is eternal (cf. 1 Jn 4:17).

Ephesians 5:1–12 gives us some explanation on bearing fruit in keeping with repentance.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Ephesians 5:1-21 NASB

It is also important to acknowledge that John spoke these words in John 3:36.

He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:36 NASB

This is the gospel that John the Baptist preached.

References:

Strong’s Lexicon: BibleHub.com

1 Heart 1 MindApril 24, 2025