Jesus' Ministry Begins
The Baptism of Jesus
John the Baptist was God's appointed messenger. Before Jesus began his ministry, John had been announcing to the people throughout the regions of Jerusalem and Judea to prepare for the coming Messiah. He was calling them to repent, turn from their sins, and be baptized. He was pointing the way to Jesus. Then, all of a sudden, Jesus appeared on the scene. Jesus came to John to be baptized, but John told him, "I need to be baptized by you." John himself wondered why Jesus asked to be baptized.
So Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." John then consented and baptized Jesus. As Jesus came up out of the water, heaven opened, and the Spirit of God, like a dove, descended upon him. Witnesses to the baptism heard a voice from heaven saying, "This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Why did Jesus ask to be baptized? It was obviously part of his mission in coming to earth. Like previous priests of God--Moses, Nehemiah and Daniel--Jesus was confessing sin on behalf of the people. He was also endorsing John's ministry of baptism. In addition, Jesus was identifying with those who were repenting. He was also setting an example for his followers. He was foreshadowing his death, burial and resurrection. And lastly, Jesus was announcing the beginning of his ministry on earth.
The doctrine of the trinity si expressed in verses 16-17 God the Father speaks from heaven, God the Son is baptized, and God the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus.
John the Baptist was God's appointed messenger. Before Jesus began his ministry, John had been announcing to the people throughout the regions of Jerusalem and Judea to prepare for the coming Messiah. He was calling them to repent, turn from their sins, and be baptized. He was pointing the way to Jesus. Then, all of a sudden, Jesus appeared on the scene. Jesus came to John to be baptized, but John told him, "I need to be baptized by you." John himself wondered why Jesus asked to be baptized.
So Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." John then consented and baptized Jesus. As Jesus came up out of the water, heaven opened, and the Spirit of God, like a dove, descended upon him. Witnesses to the baptism heard a voice from heaven saying, "This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Why did Jesus ask to be baptized? It was obviously part of his mission in coming to earth. Like previous priests of God--Moses, Nehemiah and Daniel--Jesus was confessing sin on behalf of the people. He was also endorsing John's ministry of baptism. In addition, Jesus was identifying with those who were repenting. He was also setting an example for his followers. He was foreshadowing his death, burial and resurrection. And lastly, Jesus was announcing the beginning of his ministry on earth.
The doctrine of the trinity si expressed in verses 16-17 God the Father speaks from heaven, God the Son is baptized, and God the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus.
