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1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
1:2 As it is written in the prophets: "Behold, I will send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way before you.
1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"
1:4 So John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
1:5 And all the land of Judea and those of Jerusalem went out to him, and were all baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
1:6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, he had a belt of a leather around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey;
1:7 John preached, saying: "There comes one mightier than I after me, the strap of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
1:9 Now it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
1:10 When Jesus came up out of the water, John immediately saw the heavens opened and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Jesus.
1:11 Then there came a voice from heaven, saying: "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
1:12 And immediately the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness.
1:13 He was there in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; he was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.
1:14 Now after John had been put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
1:15 Saying: "The time has come, and the kingdom of God is at hand [near]; repent and believe the gospel."
1:16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen.
1:17 Jesus said to them: "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
1:18 They immediately left their nets, and followed him.
1:19 When he had gone a little farther there, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in the ship mending their nets.
1:20 He immediately called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants and went after him.
1:21 Then they went into Capernaum; it being the Sabbath day, he immediately entered into the synagogue and taught.
1:22 They were astonished at his doctrine for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
1:23 Now there was a man with an unclean spirit in their synagogue, and he cried out,
1:24 Saying: "Leave us alone; what have we to do with you, you Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God."1
1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying: "Be quite, and come out of him!"
1:26 When the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
1:27 And they were all amazed, so much that they questioned among themselves, saying: "What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For he commands even the unclean spirits with authority, and they obey him."
1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region around Galilee.
1:29 Now immediately after they had come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they quickly told him about her.
1:31 And he came and took her by the hand and raised her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she served them.
1:32 That evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were diseased, and those who were possessed with demons.
1:33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
1:34 And he healed many who were sick of many diseases, and cast out many demons; and did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was.
1:35 Now in the morning, rising up a great while before daylight, he went out into a solitary place, and prayed there.
1:36 And Simon and those who were with him followed him.
1:37 And when they had found him, they said to him: "Everyone is looking for you."
1:38 Then he said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for I was sent for this."
1:39 So he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out demons.
1:40 And a leper came to him, begging him, and kneeling down to him, and saying, "If you will, you can make me clean."
1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I will; be clean."
1:42 As soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
1:43 And he strictly charged him, and immediately sent him away,
1:44 Saying to him, "See that you say nothing to any man; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
1:45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to blaze the matter abroad, so much that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; but they came to him from every region.
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1 Even the demons called Jesus "Son of the Most High God," falling down at his feet, begging him to have mercy. Luke 8:28,4:41, Mark 5:7,3:11, Mat 8:29. So "believing" that Jesus is the Son of God, or "saying" he is the Son of God, does not result in salvation. James said: You say you believe in one God, you do well, even the demons believe and they tremble. James 2:19.
Notice Jesus in John 3:16 doesn't say if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, he says if you believe in him, (or simply believe him). There is a big difference: 1) mental assents to Jesus being the Son vs. 2) to believe what he commands and advises - enough to obey Him. He commands us to seek with our highest priority in life the Kingdom of God and His righteousness - to be perfect - to turn the other cheek - to come to him, listen to him, and obey him- to deny yourself and pick up your cross daily and to repent or perish. If you believe him, you will obey all his commands; and those you find yourself unable to obey will motivate you to go to him, seeking his healing from even your desire to sin.Previous Chapter/Next Chapter
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