John the Forerunner; apostles, baptism, Church, judgment

Jesus Christ had as forerunner John the Baptist, whose charge was to prepare and shape the people for receiving the Word of life. (Mt 3:1-3; Jn 1:6-8) And John declared that the Christ was the very one on whom the Spirit of God rested, joined to his body. (Jn 1:32-34; Isa 11:2)

Disciples of Jesus and witnesses of all his good works and teaching, witnesses of his passion, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven after his rising in the flesh, the apostles, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, were sent by him into the whole world to effect the calling of the Gentiles, to show human beings the way of life, to tear them from idolatry, fornication, and greed, and to cleanse their souls and bodies by the baptism of water and the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8; Mt 28:19; Acts 2:38)

So the apostles, after distributing and imparting to the believers that Holy Spirit which they themselves had received from the Lord, established and ordered the Church. By spreading faith, love, and hope they accomplished what the prophets had announced beforehand — the calling of the nations. (1 Cor 13:13; Isa 49:6) By the help of their ministry they made plain the mercy of God, admitting the nations to share in the promises made to the fathers. (Eph 3:6; Rom 15:8-9)

Thus those who believe, who love the Lord and live in holiness, righteousness, and patience, the God of all will grant eternal life through the resurrection of the dead — and that through the merits of him who died and rose again, Jesus Christ, to whom he has given universal kingship, authority, and power to judge the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1) The apostles, preaching the word of truth, taught them to keep the body pure and the soul unstained for the resurrection.