The Baptism of Jesus

Luke 3:21-22

Theme: The Introduction of Christ to the World

Key verse: vs.3-4

38 verses; 1,017 words

Grade: 19.2

Outline:

I. The Ministry of His Forerunner. Vs. 1-22

II. The Members of His Family. Vs. 23-38

Here are the REASONS why Jesus asked John to Baptize Him

I. Confession.

Jesus was not confessing His own sin because He was sinless. He had to be sinless in order to be qualified to be our Savior and be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.

2 Corinthians 5:21—For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 John 3:5—And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Quote - “Remember, Christ was not a deified man, neither was he a humanized god. He was perfectly God and at the same time perfectly man.” C.H. Spurgeon

II. Confirmation

A second reason for Jesus’ baptism was the Lord was showing support for the ministry of John the Baptist. Jesus not only supported what John was doing, He referred to John as the greatest man to ever live.

Matthew 11:11—Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Does the Lord support what you are doing?

III. Commencement. V.22a

He was starting His public ministry in Israel.

“And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, ...”

Jesus did not start until He was endued with power from on high. (See Luke 24:49)

Did you wait to be endued with power from on high?

IV. Connection.

When the Lord was baptized by John, He was identifying with God’s people that He would die for their sins, be buried, and rise again the third day.

V. Complying.

Jesus was also baptized to fulfill all righteousness in order to accomplish God’s mission and advance God’s work in the world.

Matthew 3:15—And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

When Jesus was baptized, the Lord showed His approval of what took place. Notice Luke 3:21–22 again.

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, [22] 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.

This is the first of three recorded occasions when the Father spoke from Heaven.

The second was when Jesus was transfigured (Luke 9:28–36),

The third was during His last week before the cross (John 12:28).

When our Lord came up from the water, the Father spoke from Heaven and identified Him as the beloved Son of God, and the Spirit visibly came upon Jesus in the form of a dove.

Those who deny the Trinity have a difficult time explaining this event. All three persons of the Trinity are named as present and active in the baptism of Jesus.

God the Father spoke from Heaven.

God the Son was baptized.

God the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus.

Conclusion:

Finally, all of them had been immersed. But what was this? There was one more. It was Jesus. Reluctantly, and then obediently, John had baptized his Lord. It was the peak moment in John’s ministry. From now on, he would send his disciples and converts to Jesus. And how could he ever forget the attending sights and sounds?