BAPTISM AND TEMPTATIONS
The baptism and temptations of Christ mark the beginning of His public ministry. His baptism is recorded in three Gospels (Matt. 3:13-17; Mk. 1:9-11; Lu. 3:21-22) and referenced in another (Jo. 1:31-34), while His temptations are recorded in three of the Gospels (Matt. 4:1-11; Mk. 1:12-13; Lu. 4:1-13).
Both of these events are foundational for the work of Redemption. The significance of the baptism is its identification of Christ with His people in their sin, and in the identification of Christ as the Messiah by the Father. In the temptations Jesus reveals who He is: the One who cannot be turned away from His destiny, the One who reveals that He alone is worthy of the future that is His, and the One who demonstrates that only He can accomplish all that is involved in His destiny.
Consideration will be given to the following topics:
Centuries of Silence
John the Baptist
Messiah Revealed
Baptism of Jesus
Messiah Anointed
Spirit and Fire Baptism
Relationship to the Father
Into the Wilderness
Meaning of the Temptations
Sinlessness of Christ
Return to: Jesus: Next Article: Centuries of Silence
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