#16 The Baptism of Jesus
Author’s
note: It would be easy to include information about baptism in general here;
however, my purpose is to try and limit comments and observations to those pertinent
to the specific baptism of our Savior.
Scriptures:
Matthew 3 and JST Mathew 3
Mark 1 and JST Mark 1
Luke 3 and JST Luke 3
John 1; 1 Nephi 11; 2 Nephi 31; D & C
Section 93
Jesus
comes to John the Baptist (JB) to be baptized. It is now time for him to begin his
ministry on earth; he has been prepared by the Father and now at age thirty
qualifies under Jewish law to teach and be heard. Jesus knew JB was the only
legal administrator there with the authority to perform baptisms. John, knowing
by the Spirit who Jesus was, objected at first.
Jesus explains to John the need for authority (John holds the Aaronic
Priesthood) and for all things to be done in proper order. Jesus must so
likewise be obedient and be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.” John then
baptizes Jesus.
“To
fulfill all righteousness:”
Jesus
was the one sinless person. Jesus did not need to have any sins forgiven;
however, as he himself said, it was necessary for him to be baptized. Nephi
gives us four reasons as to how and why he did this:
1. He humbled himself before the Father.
2. He showed obedience and covenanted to
keep the commandments.
3. Baptism is required of all to enter the
Celestial Kingdom.
4. Jesus was to set the example for all to
follow.
All
who attain the Celestial Kingdom will, like Jesus, need to “fulfill all
righteousness,” which means to perform every ordinance, keep the commandments, and
do all else the Father requires to attain eternal life. None but Jesus is
perfect in this life, but as we strive to live righteously, continue to repent,
and endure to the end, the Atoning Sacrifice of our Savior will make up for
where we fall short.
When
we enter the waters of baptism we symbolize the death, burial, and resurrection
of Christ. Just so also when Jesus was
baptized did this portend of the Atonement, when Jesus would open the doors of
the resurrection for all of God's earthly children.
As
Jesus went forth with his ministry he taught all to follow him ... “What manner
of men ought ye to be? ... even as I am.” 3 Nephi 27:27. When we enter the
waters of baptism we commit and proclaim to the world identification with
Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. We bind ourselves to him in
whose name we are baptized.
The
King James version of the Bible says when Jesus came up out of the water, the
heavens opened unto Him and he saw the Spirit of God descending, and heard the
voice of the Father from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased.” The Joseph Smith translation says John the Baptist saw and heard
these things too. Also, that the Father said, “in whom I am well pleased. Hear
ye him.” As Jesus “went up straightway out of the water” John saw the heavens
open, he beheld the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, and he heard the voice of
the Father testifying of the divinity of his Son. We are not told whether any
of the multitude also saw or heard these things. I cannot help but feel this
was the Father's announcing his Son to the world, “Hear ye Him.” These
additional words given in the JST would add strength to John's testimony of
Jesus as the Son of God.
“The
Sign of the Dove:”
Prophet
Joseph Smith:
“The
sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for
the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of the dove. The Holy
Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine
itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot
be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify
the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence.” (Teachings of Joseph Smith p.275-276)
It
thus appears that John witnessed the sign of the dove, that he saw the Holy
Ghost descend in the “bodily shape” of the personage that he is, and that the
descent was “like a dove.” (Apostle Bruce R. McConkie)
Also,
of interest is the fact that all four gospel writers record this event with the
words, “like a dove.” This is not the case with many of the recorded events
about Jesus.
We
also see plainly here the three separate members of the Godhead; God the
Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost in the same place and at the same
time, separately.
Glenn
R. McGettigan
February
2012; Revised April 2014
References:
“Scriptural
Teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith.” Smith / Galbraith
“Doctrinal
New Testament Commentary.” McConkie
“Companion
Study of New Testament.” Ludlow
“Teachings
of Prophet Joseph Smith.”
“Our
Lord of the Gospels.” Clark
“Jesus
the Christ.” Talmage
“Life
and Teachings of Jesus Christ.” Holzapfel and Wayment
“LDS
Bible Dictionary.”
“Vines
Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.”
“Biblical
Archeological Review.” March 1992 Jesus / Baptism / Dead Sea Scrolls
“Latter
Day Prophets and Doctrine Covenants.” Volume 1. Whitney
“Journal
of Discourses” Volume 2. Grant
“Commentary
on the Book of Mormon.” Volume’s 1 & 2. Reynolds & Sjodahl
“Answers
to Gospel Questions.” Volume 2. Smith
