Sunday after Theophany. Synaxis of the Holy Forerunner, prophet and Baptist John
Jesus is not just a prophet, but the one towards which the greatest prophet was pointing and the one who upon ascending gave the Spirit to his body both for its growth and its unity, in particular its unity individually and collectively with him.
Title
Outline
Jesus was a prophet even if more than a prophet
Jesus was the more than a prophet who released the Spirit of prophecy
This is important for us to grasp practically
Readings
EPISTLE
Ephesians 4:7–13
7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it is said,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”
9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ;
EPISTLE
Acts 19:1–8
1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve of them in all.
8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God;
GOSPEL
Matthew 4:12–17
12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Caperna-um by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
toward the sea, across the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
GOSPEL
John 1:29–34
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
Notes
ON THE SAME DATE | THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD
SUNDAY AFTER THEOPHANY
Slavic
On the same date: Synaxis of John the Baptist
Matins Gospel John 20:19–31 (31st Sunday)
Epistle Ephesians 4:7–13
Gospel Matthew 4:12–17
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2024 | FIXED FEASTS
SYNAXIS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Dark Vestments
On the same date: Sunday after Theophany
Epistle Acts 19:1–8
Gospel John 1:29–34
Matins Gospel John 20:19–31 (31st Sunday)