The Baptism of Jesus

The Baptism of Jesus by John

    “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14 (NKJV)

    “In John's drama, Jesus shares the same essence as God; the Son existed before time, and he was the agent of all creation. John anchors the divinity of Jesus in this ancient Jewish concept of Wisdom. The divine Wisdom that has existed from before time with God can now be known in Jesus Christ. In perhaps the most outrageous verse penned by an apostle, John writes that this Logos, this Wisdom, became flesh and lived among us as a human (John 1:14). What God is, the Logos (Word) is. The Logos is Jesus Christ.—NLT Study Bible

 

    1. The Baptism of Jesus.               

    “Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"  But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.  And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matt 3:13-17 (NKJV)

 

    a) The fullness of God = Trinity.

    Campbell spoke of GOD as Jehovah the Father, Jehovah the Son, Jehovah the Holy Spirit.  Here Jehovah the Son in flesh & blood is baptized by John.  Jehovah the Holy Spirit appears as a dove.  Jehovah the Father speaks from heaven. 

    John said: “And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."  John 1:32-34 (NKJV)

    The Spirit of God hovered over the waters at Creation.  Now the Holy Spirit comes as a dove to anoint the Christ, the Son of God - the Human One - at the beginning of God’s new Vision of the Ages.  In His baptism the Eternal Son of God is revealed to all mankind.  Jesus did not need to be purified.  But Jesus came to make purification for the world, wash away sin, grant new birth, and reveal the Mystery of the Holy Trinity.

 

    b) Paul’s word of blessing.

    “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” 2 Cor 13:14 (NKJV)

    “Paul closes his letter with a prayer and blessing. He invokes the three persons of the Trinity, with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ coming first. This is because we are always relying on Christ's sacrificial love, which reconciles us to God the Father and unites us through the fellowship of the Holy Spirit with all our fellow believers. • The love of God provides for our needs and graciously restores us to his family. • The fellowship of the Holy Spirit means our fellowship with the Spirit, who joins Christians together into a unity (Eph 4:3; Phil 2:1).—NLT Study Bible

 

    c) Living a new life.

    “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  Eph 4:1-3 (NKJV)

    “When people become believers in Christ, they are joined to Jesus Christ and begin to share in his experience and benefits, including his death and resurrection. Their old life dies with Christ, and they rise to new life by his power within them (see Rom 6:3-14).—NLT Study Bible

    “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind”  Phil 2:1-2 (NKJV)

  

    2. The Great Commission.

    “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.”  Matt 28:18-20 (NKJV)

    “In the name of means entrance into a relationship and its benefits, which come to those who truly believe. • Father... Son... Holy Spirit: This is a formulaic expression for the nature of God as a trinity (see also 1 Cor 12:4-6; 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 4:4-6; 2 Thes 2:13-14; 1 Pet 1:2; Rev 1:4-6).—NLT Study Bible