Baptism
Notes
Transcript
Let’s Get Wet
Let’s Get Wet
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Important things to note
John was baptizing for the purpose of repentance, but that’s not why Jesus gets baptized. Matthew and Luke elaborate on this a little bit in their Gospels but Mark doesn’t have time for those details.
a common question that follows is generally, “was John the first to baptize?” Yes and no. Jews had a form of baptism that was used for ceremonial purification, John however, was the first to baptize for the remittance of sins and as a preparation for the coming Messiah.
4 Words Describing Jesus’ Baptism
—> Decision
—> By this point Jesus has been on the earth for 30 years. He is choosing this place and time to make a public declaration to begin the work he came to earth to accomplish. He knows who John is and what John’s purpose is, now it is time for Jesus to begin to fulfill his. There are moments in all of our lives that we have to make decisions like this. God will call us to action and it is our choice whether or not we answer the call.
—> Identification
—> Jesus is identifying with this movement, John is leading the people back to God and Jesus is giving his approval and support for the movement. Any action we take shows our support for something. Yesterday, as I mentioned before we went and built beds for Beds of Hope. By doing that I am showing my support for that organization, I am choosing to identify with that organization and that group of people. By coming to church here you are beginning to support FUMC and the larger United Methodist Church, but like Jesus when you begin to do the actions of the community, baptism, communion, tithing, Sunday School, etc. you begin to show more support for the movement and make a bigger stand.
—> Approval
—> dbl duty
—> Jesus is approving the practice
—> God is approving Jesus beginning His ministry.
—> It is a personal approval.
And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
—> Equipment
—>
And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.
Unlike John who was preaching what we would call “fire and brimstone” or “turn or burn” the descending of the Spirit like a dove symbolizes a gentleness.
for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.