The Teachings of Jesus Christ. Pt. 1 The Purpose of Christ's Baptism
The Bible says a lot about baptism. Baptism is mandated as a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ for each newly born again Christian. John preached a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Paul teaches us about the baptism of each new believer into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:1-4 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
When baptism is found in the Bible it is always referring to complete immersion in water. It is a public symbol showing that we are buried with Christ in death when we are under the water and showing the new life in Christ when we come up out of the water, just as Christ was raised from the dead.
Good morning to all of you. This morning I would like to review the baptism of Christ before we start looking at some of the teachings of Christ. His baptism has great significance with regard to CHrist as the Lamb of God for sinners slain.
Then, I want to look at the teachings of Jesus Christ with you because He is our Lord, Master, King and Savior. Jesus taught on a wide breadth of subjects, so in order to narrow it down for us, I would like to look at His view of the authority and power of the scriptures.
Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan river, pictured above. I would like to begin by reading about the baptism of Jesus Christ and what this means for all of us today. The first instance of Christ showing us the authority of the scriptures comes right after His baptism.
What was the purpose of John baptizing in the wilderness?
The baptism of John in the wilderness was a fulfillment of a prophecy given by Isaiah 800 years before Christ was born. It is called a baptism of repentance and as such it was to call the people of God to repent of their sins because their Messiah was coming onto the scene. That is the focus of Isaiah's prophecy.
John the Baptist is referred to as the voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of Jehovah. The text tells us that the glory of Jehovah will be revealed in that day.
Isaiah 40:1-5 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
The Baptism of Christ and its significance
Matthew has the first record of Jesus' baptism. He tells us that the heavens were opened. Whatever that looked like, it was plain to all that something supernatural was occurring. After Jesus was publicly baptized by John the Baptist the Spirit of God came upon Him as Jesus came up out of the water.
Matthew 3:16-17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Luke's gospel informs us that the Spirit of God descended upon Christ in the form of a dove right before the Father's voice was heard.
Luke 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
John's gospel tells us that he gave strong witness of what was happening by declaring that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. John also saw the Spirit of God in the form of a dove abiding on Christ and he knew Christ was the Messiah.
John 1:32-36 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
Mark's gospel also recorded the baptism of Christ. This is one of the few events in the life of Christ that all four gospels recorded for us to read.
Mark 1:9-11 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
At the baptism of Jesus Christ the following things occurred.
The question that comes to mind is why would the Lord Jesus Christ who is the sinless Son of God, need to participate in John's baptism of repentance?
The answer is simple yet profound. John (the apostle) called Jesus the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. The baptism of Jesus identified Christ as the Lamb of God who would die to pay for all sins.
For all Old Testament sacrifices, a sinner would place his hands on the head of the animal being sacrificed. This indicated that he is offering a sacrifice for his sins and his sins are going to be paid for by the death of an innocent animal. Jesus had no sin of His own but He willingly would die to pay for our sins.
Heaven has spoken and men must pay attention!
After 400 years of silence from Malachi to Matthew, the heavens were filled with an angelic host, dazzling light and a glorious, grace filled message from heaven. Luke 2:8-12 contains the angels announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ to the shepherds.
Luke 2:8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Another announcement from God came to Joseph in a dream when the angel of the Lord told him not to fear marrying Mary because she was carrying the Messiah. Matthew 1:18-23 contains this announcement and adds the name Emmanuel which means God with us!
This is followed by Christ's baptism and the Father in heaven speaking and saying "This is my beloved Son..." Jesus Christ is the Son of God who always does the will of His Father and always pleases His Father. The Father is well pleased with Christ!
Do not miss these details because the next event to unfold is the temptation of Jesus Christ by the devil. This will be the ultimate proof that the Father is well pleased with His Son because His Son will NOT fail this crucial test.
Jesus proved He was sinless by living a perfect life of obedience to His Father and then He became the innocent Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.
If Jesus had succumbed to any of the devil's temptations then He would have been like Adam, a sinner and we would not have a Savior. Praise God that the Second Adam (1 Corinthians 15) passed the test and could become the Savior of the world.
There is power indeed in the baptism of Christ and it is a heavenly confirmation from the Father that His Son has entered the time, space and matter continuum to deal with sin and salvation once for all. God is on earth in human form to perfectly satisfy God's law, perfectly obey the Father's will and to be the perfect Lamb of God crucified for our sins and raised for our justification.
In our next post we will see the authority of scripture in the words of Christ as the devil sought to tempt Him to sin.
Bob
Romans 6:1-4 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
When baptism is found in the Bible it is always referring to complete immersion in water. It is a public symbol showing that we are buried with Christ in death when we are under the water and showing the new life in Christ when we come up out of the water, just as Christ was raised from the dead.
Good morning to all of you. This morning I would like to review the baptism of Christ before we start looking at some of the teachings of Christ. His baptism has great significance with regard to CHrist as the Lamb of God for sinners slain.
Then, I want to look at the teachings of Jesus Christ with you because He is our Lord, Master, King and Savior. Jesus taught on a wide breadth of subjects, so in order to narrow it down for us, I would like to look at His view of the authority and power of the scriptures.
Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan river, pictured above. I would like to begin by reading about the baptism of Jesus Christ and what this means for all of us today. The first instance of Christ showing us the authority of the scriptures comes right after His baptism.
What was the purpose of John baptizing in the wilderness?
The baptism of John in the wilderness was a fulfillment of a prophecy given by Isaiah 800 years before Christ was born. It is called a baptism of repentance and as such it was to call the people of God to repent of their sins because their Messiah was coming onto the scene. That is the focus of Isaiah's prophecy.
John the Baptist is referred to as the voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of Jehovah. The text tells us that the glory of Jehovah will be revealed in that day.
Isaiah 40:1-5 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Mark's gospel links John's baptism to Isaiah's prophecy and adds that it concerns the remission of sins. It is a clear call for people to repent and confess and humble yourself before the LORD. Luke 3:7-15 is where John the Baptist spells out what repentance looks like. It involved turning from sin and repenting and doing that which was right in the sight of God.
Mark 1:1-5 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
Mark 1:1-5 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
The Baptism of Christ and its significance
Matthew has the first record of Jesus' baptism. He tells us that the heavens were opened. Whatever that looked like, it was plain to all that something supernatural was occurring. After Jesus was publicly baptized by John the Baptist the Spirit of God came upon Him as Jesus came up out of the water.
Matthew 3:16-17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Luke's gospel informs us that the Spirit of God descended upon Christ in the form of a dove right before the Father's voice was heard.
Luke 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
John's gospel tells us that he gave strong witness of what was happening by declaring that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. John also saw the Spirit of God in the form of a dove abiding on Christ and he knew Christ was the Messiah.
John 1:32-36 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
Mark's gospel also recorded the baptism of Christ. This is one of the few events in the life of Christ that all four gospels recorded for us to read.
Mark 1:9-11 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
At the baptism of Jesus Christ the following things occurred.
- Christ came straightway out of the waters.
- The heavens were opened.
- The Spirit of God descended upon Christ in the form of a dove.
- A voice from heaven speaks announcing the Son of God.
- The Father said "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased."
The question that comes to mind is why would the Lord Jesus Christ who is the sinless Son of God, need to participate in John's baptism of repentance?
The answer is simple yet profound. John (the apostle) called Jesus the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. The baptism of Jesus identified Christ as the Lamb of God who would die to pay for all sins.
For all Old Testament sacrifices, a sinner would place his hands on the head of the animal being sacrificed. This indicated that he is offering a sacrifice for his sins and his sins are going to be paid for by the death of an innocent animal. Jesus had no sin of His own but He willingly would die to pay for our sins.
Heaven has spoken and men must pay attention!
After 400 years of silence from Malachi to Matthew, the heavens were filled with an angelic host, dazzling light and a glorious, grace filled message from heaven. Luke 2:8-12 contains the angels announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ to the shepherds.
Luke 2:8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Another announcement from God came to Joseph in a dream when the angel of the Lord told him not to fear marrying Mary because she was carrying the Messiah. Matthew 1:18-23 contains this announcement and adds the name Emmanuel which means God with us!
This is followed by Christ's baptism and the Father in heaven speaking and saying "This is my beloved Son..." Jesus Christ is the Son of God who always does the will of His Father and always pleases His Father. The Father is well pleased with Christ!
Do not miss these details because the next event to unfold is the temptation of Jesus Christ by the devil. This will be the ultimate proof that the Father is well pleased with His Son because His Son will NOT fail this crucial test.
Jesus proved He was sinless by living a perfect life of obedience to His Father and then He became the innocent Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.
If Jesus had succumbed to any of the devil's temptations then He would have been like Adam, a sinner and we would not have a Savior. Praise God that the Second Adam (1 Corinthians 15) passed the test and could become the Savior of the world.
There is power indeed in the baptism of Christ and it is a heavenly confirmation from the Father that His Son has entered the time, space and matter continuum to deal with sin and salvation once for all. God is on earth in human form to perfectly satisfy God's law, perfectly obey the Father's will and to be the perfect Lamb of God crucified for our sins and raised for our justification.
In our next post we will see the authority of scripture in the words of Christ as the devil sought to tempt Him to sin.
Bob
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