The Baptism of Jesus Christ

Finally! A new post! I am taking a class for summer semester and one of the things we can do is share what we learned! What better way than to do this on my blog! 

Okay, I am going to talk about the Baptism of Jesus Christ (as made obvious by the title of this post). I will ask a question and answer it to the best of my abilities. If you think you might have a better answer, or something to add, feel free to comment! 

Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus?

In Matt 3, John says, "I have need to be baptized of thee, and thou comest thou to me?" He does not feel worthy to baptize Christ because Christ is perfect and John is not. He feels that he, himself, should be the one getting baptized.

What is taught here about the Holy Ghost?

In the Institute Manual Commentary on Matthew, it says, "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 a 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." (Sorry, that was quite long). The Holy Ghost cannot take the form other than a personage.

Jesus Christ said He must be baptized to "fulfill all righteousness." List three reasons why Jesus Christ was baptized (see 2 Nephi 31:6-11). 

1. He needed to set an example. Christ is the ultimate example and our goal in this life is to try to be as Christ-like as possible. If he did not get baptized, then we would be less inclined to be baptized. 

2. It was part of "the rules". To be part of the Church, you must first be baptized. What kind of leader would not follow His own rules? 

3. He needed to show the world that he "...humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments" (2 Nephi 31:7).

What evidence is found in Matthew 3:16-17 that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personages in the Godhead?

The scriptures tell us that the "Spirit of God [descended] like a dove" (Matt 3:16). Then Heavenly Father said "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased..." All of the members of the Godhead are all doing different things, which they wouldn't be able to if they were all one person.

Well, there you go! Enjoy! Make sure to comment if you have any thoughts!