Jesus' Baptism

Prelude: Why did Jesus get baptized? Purpose: What can we learn from Jesus’ baptism? Plan: Let’s look at what the Father, Son and Holy Spirit did at Jesus' baptism in Mark 1:4-11.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit

Mark 1:8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

John only baptized the body, but Jesus baptizes the soul. A valid Christian baptism uses words commanded by Jesus, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). We ask for the Holy Spirit to come as we lay on hands in prayer (Acts 8:17; Acts 9:17; Acts 9:17).

Jesus Baptized

Mark 1:9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

If Jesus was sinless, why did he take part in John’s baptism of repentance? Jesus elsewhere explained that it was to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15 NIV, ESV, NASB, KJV). Jesus humbly cooperated with John’s ministry. He was not too proud or arrogant to be baptized. He reveals that childlike spirit of submission to John’s baptism, though He had nothing to repent of.

Descending Upon Him

Mark 1:10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.

At what moment did the Holy Spirit come upon Jesus? The word “immediately” means at once or soon.

What does “coming up from the water” prove? As a student of baptistic theology I often heard the argument that this verse “proves” that Jesus was immersed. Well, that’s a false assumption. The mode of baptism is NOT clearly stated. The words “coming up” are from a word meaning that He “mounted” from the water. That can also describe going up a river bank from ankle deep water. One ancient picture shows just that, John pouring water over Jesus’ head from a seashell as they stood in ankle deep water. But even that may just be guesswork.

Baptize literally means “to dip” but is used in the Bible in several nonliteral ways like passing through the Red Sea dry shod (1 Corinthians 10:2), washing dishes (Mark 7:4), overwhelmed with suffering (Mark 10:38-39), ceremonial washings by sprinkling (Hebrews 9:9-14), and an outpouring or large bestowal (Matthew 3:11).

If God did not inspire a clear and obvious description of Jesus’ mode of baptism, what business do we have in doing so? Let’s be honest with the Scriptures. It seems like God is not as concerned about the mode as the fact of baptism.

The heavens parting or opening is more literally “torn open” (NIV, ESV) or “rent asunder” (ASV), a much more dramatic scene than the KJV portrays.

Why did the Spirit descend upon Jesus, when He was already conceived by the Spirit (Matthew 1:20) and filled with the Spirit (Luke 4:1)? The Holy Spirit confirmed Jesus, descending like a harmless, gentle dove. The Holy Spirit treats us with the same gentleness when He descends upon our lives.

This is also an anointing, and a sending with a proclamation. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).

In the beginning, the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters (Genesis 1:2), filled Bezalel to build the tabernacle (Exodus 31:2-4; 35:30-32), carried prophets along to preach (2 Peter 1:21), incarnated the Son of Mary, (Matthew 1:18-20; Luke 1:41), confirmed Jesus at His baptism (Mark 1:4-11), led Him into the wilderness (Luke 4:1), is as a gift to baptized Christians and empowers the church to speak the word boldly (Acts 2:38; 4:31).

Following Jesus and a life baptized in the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:4-11) includes "baptism" of suffering like Jesus experienced, a different way of life (Mark 1:4-11), the way of the cross, living sacrificially.

The Nicene Creed reminds us that the Holy Spirit is 1) “the Lord” because God is Spirit (John 4:24) and holy (Psalm 99:9). The Holy Spirit is 2) “the… Giver of Life” (John 6:63). 3) “who proceeds from the Father and the Son.” The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father and the Spirit of the Son. The Father sends the Spirit (John 14:26) and Jesus sends the Holy Spirit from the Father (John 15:26). 4) “who… is worshipped and glorified.” We baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), the third person of the Trinity (John 14:26). 5) “who Spoke through the Prophets.” (2 Peter 1:21). This reminds us that the Old and New Testaments are both inspired by God.