"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
Matthew 28:19
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16-17
This lovely "iconogram" depicts the baptism of Christ. John the Baptist performs the ritual while angels watch on. The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descends from Heaven and the voice of God resounds an approval from Heaven. Here the Holy Trinity is manifested, revealing itself to mankind. The SON accepts the annointing of the SPIRIT at the delight of the FATHER.
Matthew 12:17-18 reminds the reader that the event described above was prophesied when he said, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles."
Isaiah's prophecy was "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:3)
With this single act, Jesus is presented to mankind. He will be the saviour, the messiah, the truth, the way and the life. The Spirit descends and empowers. The Son is prepared for his service and sacrifice. The Father speaks His approval. The three working in solidarity, the Holy Trinity all come for one purpose, that none should perish. Jesus said, "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:40
Jesus voluntarily submits to an act that represents repentance for the Jews and conversion for the Gentiles. Along with the common sinner, he is immersed in the waters of the Jordan. A short three years later, He carries the debts of the sinful to the cross of Calvary where He suffers and dies in order that you and I could be made sinless.
Take another look at the image of the baptism. The vibrance of the colors and the attention to detail are impressive and inspirational. Can I challenge you to look past the magnificence of the art and see the magnitude of the event? How awesome and humbling to know that Godhead, the divine Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, gathered at a river in order that we, you and me, could be with them in eternity. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, heaven and earth are filled with thy glory, Hosanna in the highest.
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." Galatians 4:4-6
John 14:25-27
"All this I have spoken while still with you.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you all things and will remind
you of everything I have said to you."
"All this I have spoken while still with you.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you all things and will remind
you of everything I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
"This is the one who came
by water and blood--Jesus Christ.
He did not come by water only,
but by water and blood.
And it is the Spirit who testifies,
because the Spirit is the truth.
For there are three that testify:
the Spirit, the water and the blood;
and the three are in agreement.
We accept man's testimony,
but God's testimony is greater
because it is the testimony of God,
which he has given about his Son.
Anyone who believes in the Son of God
has this testimony in his heart.
Anyone who does not believe God
has made him out to be a liar,
because he has not believed the
testimony God has given about his Son.
And this is the testimony:
God has given us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son.
He who has the Son has life;
he who does not have the Son of God
does not have life." 1 John 5:6-12
John 1:5-14
And the light shineth in darkness;
and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light,
that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light,
but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, which lighteth
every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him,
and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the
only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:5-14
And the light shineth in darkness;
and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light,
that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light,
but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, which lighteth
every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him,
and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the
only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
