The Significance of the Baptism of Jesus: Luke 3:21-22
“21) Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22) and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”” Luke 3:21-22
It is at this point that it is helpful to do a harmony of the four gospels. Luke actually has the shortest account of the baptism of Jesus. Matthew 3:12-17 and John 1:19-36 fills in the most details of this significant event.
In the Gospel of John, the Baptist makes it clear that he was using baptism to identify the Messiah. (See John 1:30-34) This is a profound testimony from John.
When Jesus was baptized, the heavens were opened, the Father spoke and the Holy Spirit descended as a dove upon Him. This was the sign John the Baptist was waiting for as confirmation of the Messiah.
He is the One who would save His people from their sins and baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. And so the stage was set for the public ministry of Jesus Christ. But there is so much more in this story.
It has been observed that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were all present at the baptism of Jesus. This is one of those texts that present them as separate and distinct from one another. Yet they are often presented as one.
This is a picture of the name “Elohim” as first used in Genesis 1:1 and 2598 other times in the Bible. This name for God is in the plural form. It pictures the “plural/singular God” of the Bible.
It is a mystery. God is One and yet consists of three persons referred to as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are separate from one another and yet inseparable and often pictured as one and the same. This is commonly called the doctrine of the Trinity.
Most quality Bible Colleges have four units of study about God. During Theology Proper, they study many verses about God the Father. During Christology, they study many of verses about Jesus Christ. During Pneumetology, they study many verses about the Holy Spirit. Then during the Unity of God, they study multiple passages where they are spoken of as One and the same.
This is a fascinating study. It underlines the mystery of the trinity as taught in the Bible. It is a biblical encounter with “Elohim.” It was one of the most fascinating and helpful studies during my formal training at Bible College.
The story of the Baptism of Jesus is crucial to this study. It stretches our understanding of the God of the Bible. Because of stories like this, Muslims accuse Christians of being “polytheistic.” (Believing in many gods) But Judaism and Christianity are both “Monotheistic.” (The belief in One God)
Apart from the name “Elohim” and the mystery of the Trinity, stories like the Baptism of Jesus seem to provide ammunition for Islam in this debate. It even creates a rift between orthodox Judaism and Christianity.
The claims of Jesus to be Deity led to His condemnation and death. Why? It stretched to notion of monotheism.
Early Christians were accused of polytheism. At first glance, Christianity mimics paganism. Apart from the doctrine of the trinity, the events surrounding the baptism of Jesus are troublesome. It underlines the three separate persons of the godhead.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“21) Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22) and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”” Luke 3:21-22
It is at this point that it is helpful to do a harmony of the four gospels. Luke actually has the shortest account of the baptism of Jesus. Matthew 3:12-17 and John 1:19-36 fills in the most details of this significant event.
In the Gospel of John, the Baptist makes it clear that he was using baptism to identify the Messiah. (See John 1:30-34) This is a profound testimony from John.
When Jesus was baptized, the heavens were opened, the Father spoke and the Holy Spirit descended as a dove upon Him. This was the sign John the Baptist was waiting for as confirmation of the Messiah.
He is the One who would save His people from their sins and baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. And so the stage was set for the public ministry of Jesus Christ. But there is so much more in this story.
It has been observed that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were all present at the baptism of Jesus. This is one of those texts that present them as separate and distinct from one another. Yet they are often presented as one.
This is a picture of the name “Elohim” as first used in Genesis 1:1 and 2598 other times in the Bible. This name for God is in the plural form. It pictures the “plural/singular God” of the Bible.
It is a mystery. God is One and yet consists of three persons referred to as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are separate from one another and yet inseparable and often pictured as one and the same. This is commonly called the doctrine of the Trinity.
Most quality Bible Colleges have four units of study about God. During Theology Proper, they study many verses about God the Father. During Christology, they study many of verses about Jesus Christ. During Pneumetology, they study many verses about the Holy Spirit. Then during the Unity of God, they study multiple passages where they are spoken of as One and the same.
This is a fascinating study. It underlines the mystery of the trinity as taught in the Bible. It is a biblical encounter with “Elohim.” It was one of the most fascinating and helpful studies during my formal training at Bible College.
The story of the Baptism of Jesus is crucial to this study. It stretches our understanding of the God of the Bible. Because of stories like this, Muslims accuse Christians of being “polytheistic.” (Believing in many gods) But Judaism and Christianity are both “Monotheistic.” (The belief in One God)
Apart from the name “Elohim” and the mystery of the Trinity, stories like the Baptism of Jesus seem to provide ammunition for Islam in this debate. It even creates a rift between orthodox Judaism and Christianity.
The claims of Jesus to be Deity led to His condemnation and death. Why? It stretched to notion of monotheism.
Early Christians were accused of polytheism. At first glance, Christianity mimics paganism. Apart from the doctrine of the trinity, the events surrounding the baptism of Jesus are troublesome. It underlines the three separate persons of the godhead.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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