Lesson 11 – The Baptism of Jesus
Jesus was baptized to “fulfill all righteousness” so that our Baptism might give us forgiveness of sins and rescue us from death and the devil.
Opening
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
How do we receive salvation? Salvation is the gift God offers by grace through faith in His Son, Christ Jesus, and in Christ's perfect life, death, and resurrection (Ephesians 2:4-9).
Watch the video “The Orange Nerf Ball of Salvation".
The Bible says we are all by our own nature blind, dead, and enemies of God. What do these descriptions say about the effects of sin and our ability to save ourselves? Sin separates us from God. We are powerless and cannot save ourselves! We can't even receive God's gift of salvation without the Holy Spirit's work.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You loved us so much that You gave up everything to pay for our sins. Thank You for this and for everything You do for us. Amen.
God Speaks
This lesson is about an important day in John's ministry. Jesus was about thirty years old. John was six months older (Luke 1:25-26; 3:23).
Follow the directions on the Student Page at the end of the lesson. Read the Luke 3:15-22 and answer the questions.
Many repented and received John's Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. As a result, what question did the people ask? Are you the Christ?
Messiah, a Hebrew word, means “anointed”. Christós is the Greek word for "anointed”, or Messiah. John said he was not the Christ. What did He say about the true Messiah? He was Mightier than John, who was not worthy of untying his sandals. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is ready to harvest (use a winnowing fork, clear the threshing floor, put wheat in a barn, and destroy the useless chaff).
What do John's descriptions tell us about the Messiah? He's extra special.
Herod the tetrarch ruled over the areas of Galilee and Perea for Rome after the death of his father, Herod the Great. He was nicknamed Herod Antipas. Why did John chastise him? For his evil deeds, including marrying his brother's wife.
What did Herod do to John? He locked him in prison (and later beheaded him).
What did Jesus do after He was baptized? Prayed
What three things happened then? The heavens opened; the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice from heaven said, "You are My beloved Son; with You l am well pleased”.
How was our triune God present at Jesus' Baptism? In the Father's voice, the Son's bodily presence, and the Holy Spirit's descending in a bodily form, like a dove.
We Live
This lesson is also about three Baptisms.
The first is John's Baptism .
What did John use to baptize? Water.
Who received John's Baptism? Many people from Jerusalem, Judea, and the area around the Jordan came to receive Baptism (Matthew 3:5).
What did people receive from John's Baptism? Read Mark 1:4 on Student Page. This Baptism was “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins"
Since Jesus never sinned, why did John baptize Him? Read Matthew 3:14-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 on the Student Page. Baptism fulfilled all righteousness. "In his baptism, Jesus begins His journey to Jerusalem". Jesus stands in the waters of the Jordan both in solidarity with us and in substitution for us" .
Standing in our place, Jesus took on flesh, lived without sinning, died to pay for our sins and take God's wrath on Himself, and rose from the dead. In Him, we have righteousness, forgiveness of sin, and eternal life (Romans 5:.21). Through one man, Adam, we all received sin and its wages of death. Through one man, Jesus Christ, we receive abundant grace and the free gift of righteousness.
What did Jesus personally receive from this Baptism? The Spirit of God descended on Jesus, and the voice from heaven (God the Father) affirmed that Jesus is God's beloved Son, with whom He is well pleased.
Jesus' Baptism begins His public ministry, His journey to the cross, and His work to redeem and reclaim lost and condemned sinners as God's own children.
What made Jesus' Baptism different from John's? "The Christ, true God and true man, is anointed with the Holy Spirit and acknowledged by the Father. Jesus in His humanity, as well as in his divine nature, is graced with the Spirit and declared to be God's Son, opening the way for fallen human beings to be incorporated into Christ through Baptism and likewise to receive the Spirit and to be adopted as children of God" (CC, Just, p. 159; emphasis in original). Jesus opens the heavens for us.
When did Jesus fulfill the prophecy given in Isaiah 11:2 (on Student Page)? When He received the Spirit of God at His Baptism.
Continue with Our Baptism on the Student Page.
What directions did Jesus give His disciples about Baptism before He ascended? Read Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:16 (on Student Page). Baptize disciples in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teach all He commanded. All those who believe and are baptized are saved.
What did the disciples teach about Baptism? Read Acts 2:38 and Mark 16:16 (on Student Page). Repent and be baptized to receive forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Water and God's command (Word) give life.
Look again at Luke (not Matthew)3:22. How did the Father identify Jesus? As His Son.
How does the Father identify us because of Baptism? Read Galatians 3:26- 27 (on Student Page). God calls us His children.
Closing
Prayer: Merciful Father, through Holy Baptism You called us to be Your own possession. Grant that our lives may evidence the working of Your Holy Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, according to the image of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
