Verses 7-14 “7Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
10And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
12Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
13And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
14And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.”John required works fitting of repentance before he would baptize any who sought his baptism. It would be a good practice, even today, to require some evidence of a true change in behavior before we baptize people and count them as members of the local church. As for the works fitting of repentance, John gave answers to three categories of people who asked, “What shall we do then?” First, he said to the people generally that they must give some evidence that they care for the less fortunate. Second, regarding the publicans, He told them to be honest in their tax collecting, not overcharging the people. Third, he said to soldiers that they must not injure people unnecessarily or falsely accuse people, and that they must not be greedy for higher pay. These are all good qualities for a believer to display in his life. More compassion, more honesty, more truthfulness, and more contentment are among the good changes that repentance should help produce. These good qualities can not save a soul, but a soul who has been saved will desire to have these qualities, and we should expect to see them is one who says that he has repented.
8Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
10And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
12Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
13And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
14And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.”John required works fitting of repentance before he would baptize any who sought his baptism. It would be a good practice, even today, to require some evidence of a true change in behavior before we baptize people and count them as members of the local church. As for the works fitting of repentance, John gave answers to three categories of people who asked, “What shall we do then?” First, he said to the people generally that they must give some evidence that they care for the less fortunate. Second, regarding the publicans, He told them to be honest in their tax collecting, not overcharging the people. Third, he said to soldiers that they must not injure people unnecessarily or falsely accuse people, and that they must not be greedy for higher pay. These are all good qualities for a believer to display in his life. More compassion, more honesty, more truthfulness, and more contentment are among the good changes that repentance should help produce. These good qualities can not save a soul, but a soul who has been saved will desire to have these qualities, and we should expect to see them is one who says that he has repented.