So John went throughout the whole territory of the Jordan River, preaching, "Turn away from your sins and be baptized, and God will forgive your sins."

The whole human race will see God's salvation!' "

Someone is shouting in the desert, 'Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!' "

So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching. "Turn away from your sins and be baptized," he told the people, "and God will forgive your sins."

who came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and believe.

This was the real light---the light that comes into the world and shines on all people.

John spoke about him. He cried out, "This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'He comes after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.' "

God gave the Law through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John answered, "No one can have anything unless God gives it.

The bridegroom is the one to whom the bride belongs; but the bridegroom's friend, who stands by and listens, is glad when he hears the bridegroom's voice. This is how my own happiness is made complete.

He who comes from above is greater than all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly matters, but he who comes from heaven is above all.

But whoever accepts his message confirms by this that God is truthful.

The Father loves his Son and has put everything in his power.

Paul said, "The baptism of John was for those who turned from their sins; and he told the people of Israel to believe in the one who was coming after him---that is, in Jesus."

I tell you, then, the great love she has shown proves that her many sins have been forgiven. But whoever has been forgiven little shows only a little love."

The others sitting at the table began to say to themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?"

Peter said to them, "Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that he will forgive your sins. If you do,

God raised him to his right side as Leader and Savior, to give the people of Israel the opportunity to repent and have their sins forgiven.

All the prophets spoke about him, saying that all who believe in him will have their sins forgiven through the power of his name."

All of you, my fellow Israelites, are to know for sure that it is through Jesus that the message about forgiveness of sins is preached to you; you are to know that everyone who believes in him is set free from all the sins from which the Law of Moses could not set you free.

(SEE 13:38)

God offered him, so that by his blood he should become the means by which people's sins are forgiven through their faith in him. God did this in order to demonstrate that he is righteous. In the past he was patient and overlooked people's sins; but in the present time he deals with their sins, in order to demonstrate his righteousness. In this way God shows that he himself is righteous and that he puts right everyone who believes in Jesus.

This is what David meant when he spoke of the happiness of the person whom God accepts as righteous, apart from anything that person does:

Happy is the person whose sins the Lord will not keep account of !"

For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God,