"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

The Baptism Of Jesus (1:9-11)

INTRODUCTION
  1. The baptism of Jesus by John served a significant role in both of their ministries...
    1. It came at the height of John's ministry, after which it began to decline
    2. It served as the beginning of Jesus' ministry, which soon overtook the ministry of John
  2. The baptism of Jesus has often raised two questions...
    1. Why was He baptized?
    2. Does His baptism reveal the purpose for Christian baptism?

[This study will answer these questions, first by reviewing Mark's account of the baptism of Jesus...]

  1. THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
    1. JESUS COMES FROM NAZARETH...
      1. From Nazareth of Galilee - Mk 1:9a
      2. Located halfway between the Mediterranean coast and the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee
      3. Where Jesus grew up - cf. Lk 2:39-52
      -- About a hundred mile journey to where John was baptizing
    2. JESUS IS BAPTIZED BY JOHN...
      1. In the Jordan river - Mk 1:9b
      2. In Bethabara (Bethany) on the east side of the Jordan - cf. Jn 1:28-29
      -- The Greek word (baptizo) indicates that the baptism involved immersion
    3. THE SPIRIT DESCENDS ON JESUS...
      1. Immediately, just as Jesus comes up from the water - Mk 1:10a
      2. He saw the heavens parting ("being torn open", ESV) - Mk 1:10b
      3. The Spirit descends like a dove - Mk 1:10c; cf. Lk 3:22 ("in bodily form like a dove")
      -- Thus the Holy Spirit bears His testimony of Jesus
    4. THE FATHER SPEAKS OF JESUS...
      1. As a voice from heaven - Mk 1:11a
      2. Proclaiming: "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" - Mk 1:11b
      -- Thus the Father bears His testimony of Jesus

    [With such visual and audible effects, the baptism of Jesus was certainly a significant event! It naturally raises several questions...]

  2. QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
    1. WHY WAS JESUS BAPTIZED...?
      1. Not for the same reason other people were being baptized by John
        1. Theirs was a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins - Mk 1:4
        2. They were confessing their sins - Mk 1:5
        3. Jesus was without sin - He 4:15
      2. Jesus said it was "to fulfill all righteousness" - cf. Mt 3:15
        1. It was God's counsel that people be baptized of John - cf. Lk 7:29-30
        2. Jesus was willing to set the right example by doing the Father's will, something He delighted to do - cf. Ps 40:7-8; Jn 4:34; 8:29
      3. It also served to introduce Him to John and Israel
        1. John had been proclaiming that He was coming - Mk 1:7
        2. John had been told that the Spirit coming upon Jesus would be a sign - cf. Jn 1:29-34
        -- He was baptized to do God's will, and to publicly identify Him to Israel
    2. DOES HIS BAPTISM EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF OUR BAPTISM...?
      1. Many refer to Jesus' baptism to explain the purpose of Christian baptism
        1. That baptism has nothing to do with the remission of sins
        2. That baptism is but a public profession of one's faith
        3. That baptism publicly identifies our relation to Christ, just as His baptism publicly introduced Him to Israel
      2. However, there is no Biblical connection made between Jesus' baptism and our own
        1. Christian baptism is for the remission of sins - Ac 2:38; 22:16
        2. Christian baptism is a union with Christ in His death - Ro 6:3-7
        3. Christian baptism was often administered in relative privacy - Ac 8:35-38; 16:25-34
        -- No Biblical writer suggests that we are baptized for the same reason as Jesus
    3. WHAT IS THE IMPORT OF THE SPIRIT AND THE FATHER'S ROLE...?
      1. They certainly bear testimony as to who Jesus is
        1. As the Spirit would do later, via the works Jesus did - Mt 12:28
        2. As the Father would do later, on another occasion - Mt 17:5
      2. They also bear testimony to the nature of the Godhead
        1. I.e., three distinct persons in One God
        2. Though One in substance, there is a distinction to be made between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - cf. also Mt 28:19; 2Co 13:14; Ep 2:18
        -- Thus we see the unity of the Godhead implied in the baptism of Jesus
CONCLUSION
  1. With the baptism of Jesus...
    1. He was formally introduced to John, and by him to Israel
    2. The Father and the Spirit audibly and visually confirmed Him as the Son of God
    3. Jesus demonstrated His desire to serve and "fulfill all righteousness"
  2. The baptism of Jesus is certainly significant to Christians...
    1. Not that we are to be baptized for the same reason as He
    2. But certainly in confirming that He was the Messiah
    3. And displaying the attitude that should be true of all His disciples ("I have come to do my Father's will")

Jesus did not need baptism because He was without sin; He was baptized because it was the Father's will for man at that time. Should we who are sinners dare hesitate to do the Father's will regarding baptism for the remission of sins today...? - Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; 22:16