Jesus' Baptism | The Wolfe Notes

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the Expanded Bible translation.


Jesus' Baptism

1. Summary

When John was baptizing a crowd of people, Jesus was baptized alongside them. As He prayed, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, and God proclaimed Jesus' identity as His Son with whom He is well-pleased.

2. N/W/L Statements

  1. I NOTICED that:
    1. Jesus was praying when the Holy Spirit descended. 
    2. Jesus' baptism was ordinary: it did not require special equipment, a specific location, or an elite crowd. He was baptized in the same manner as everyone else.
  2. I WONDER:
    1. If Jesus praying after baptism is unique to Luke, or if it is mentioned in other gospels too. 
    2. If baptism was about repentance, was it common to pray afterward? 
    3. What was said in the prayer? A rededication? A prayer of praise? Of purpose?
  3. I think God wants us to LEARN that when we make a move for Jesus, God makes a move for us. We can trust Him!

3. Key Verse

When all the people were being baptized by John, Jesus also was baptized. [And] While Jesus was praying, heaven opened. Luke 3:8 (EXB)

The distinct descriptions of Jesus' baptism recorded by Luke are both in this verse. "When all the people were being baptized...Jesus also was baptized", shows the ordinariness of His baptism, and, "While Jesus was praying...", shows His constant communication with the Father. What imagery too, to imagine heaven opening as we pray.

4. God's Character

  1. God stays with us through His Spirit.
    1. [For] The One whom God sent speaks the words of God, because God gives him the Spirit fully [without measure/limit]. John 3:34 
    2. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper [Counselor; Advocate; the Holy Spirit] to be with you forever - John 14:16
    3. So it is with you. When you heard the true teaching [message/word of truth] - the Good News about [Gospel of] your salvation - you believed in Christ. And in Christ, God put his special mark of ownership on you by giving you [...having been sealed with] the Holy Spirit that he had promised. Ephesians 1:13 
  2. God claims us.
    1. Now I will tell [recount to] you what the LORD has declared [decreed]: He said to me, "You are my son. Today I have become your father [2 Samuel 7:14; Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22; Acts 13:32-33; Hebrews 1:5] Psalm 2:7
    2. Now this is what the LORD says. He created you, people of Jacob [Jacob]; he formed you, people of Israel [Israel]. He says, 'Don't be afraid, because I have saved [ransomed; redeemed you]. I have called you by name, and you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 (See our Isaiah 43 notes.)
    3. But you are a chosen people [or generation; Isaiah 43:21], royal priests [priesthood], a holy nation, a people for God's own possession [who belong to God; Ex. 19:5-6]. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who [proclaim the praises/virtues of him who] called you out of darkness into his wonderful [marvelous] light. I Peter 2:9
  3. God is pleased by us when we worship Him rightly.
    1. [For] Jesus heard the voice of God, the Greatest Glory [When that voice came to him from the Majestic Glory], when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice said, "This is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with him [a reference to the Transfiguration; Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35] 2 Peter 1:17
    2. Do not forget [neglect] to do good to others, and share with them, because such sacrifices please God. Hebrews 13:16
    3. So [Therefore] brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg [urge; appeal to] you to offer your lives [selves; bodies] as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God [holy] and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual [or authentic; true; or appropriate; fitting, or rational; reasonable] way for you to worship. Romans 12:1

5. Pray

Father God, You are with me. When I cry out to You, You hear me. It's a simple act, but a hard choice to make continually, this walking with You. Each moment, remind me of my baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire. I am in You and You have burned off everything that does not belong. Thank You for Your kindness, Your purity, and Your presence. Teach me to live like I believe I have received it.

6. Act

  • Act as though I am free from the bondage of sin because I am. Death and sin have no power over me; they've been burned off.
  • Believe I am one with the Father through Jesus Christ His Son.
  • Choose actions that glorify the Father because I am His child whom He has freed by the power of His blood.

7. Annotation Notes

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, ! a connection, and italics a referenced source.
  1. God calling Jesus His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased, is an echo from past prophets. (Luke 3:22)
    1. x Then God said {to Abraham}, "Take your only [or precious] son, Isaac, the son you love, and go to the land of Moriah [2 Chronicles 3:1' the temple would later be built here]. Offer him as a whole burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about. Genesis 22:2
    2. x Now I will tell [recount to] you what the LORD has declared [decreed]: He said to me, "You are my son. Today I have become your father [2 Samuel 7:14; Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22; Acts 13:32-33; Hebrews 1:5] Psalm 2:7
    3. x "Here is my servant [41:8; 43:10; 52:13; 53:11], the one I support [strengthen; uphold; the first of four "servant songs" in Isaiah, concerning Israel, and applied to the mission and suffering of the Messiah; 42:1-7; 49:1-13; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12]. He is the one I chose [my chosen], and I am pleased with [my soul delights in] him [Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Luke 9:35]. I have put my Spirit upon him [11:1-9], and he will bring justice to the nations. [Matthew 12:18-20] Isaiah 42:1 (See our Isaiah 42 notes.)

Sample these related posts:


Interested in more faith-related blogs? Then you're looking for Faith Food. At Faith Food, you'll find links to all our faith-related blogs and a short description of each.

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for adding your flavor to the stew.

Popular posts from this blog

Matthew 24 | The Wolfe Notes

Image
In 2025 we're working our way through the gospels and invite you to join us as we seek to learn from Jesus. Find all our notes, from this year and past years, at the  Faith Food  tab. And if you'd like ideas for suggested pacing, download our  March calendar . Welcome, friends, we're so glad you're journeying with us. Let's grow together! Our notes on Matthew 24 include: An Overview :  Topic, Themes, and Summary. An Outline   Of our thoughts and questions. Exploration   Of generations. A Reflection  On the heart of Jesus' message. An Invitation to Respond   to the all-knowing God. Matthew 24 Potter image by xxx_Zephyr_xxx at Pixabay Overview General Topic Jesus speaks about His return. Key Themes Prophecy. Warning. Faithfulness. Summary Jesus, at the disciples' request, describes signs of the end times. Essentially, the message is this: it will be unbelievably difficult, but hold on. Do not be deceived. Remain faithful and you will be saved. Out...
Read more

May 2025 | Calendars

Image
Keep going, Friends! The end is in sight. If you don't have a countdown going already, you might want to start one.  We, personally, cannot believe the end of the year is nearly here. With it, as always, comes sadness, hope, and the thrill of new beginnings. If you're like us, you're simultaneously thinking about the end of this year and the beginning of next.  To help you get through the end of the year, we've compiled engaging, cross-curricular activities for you. Know we're praying for you, and we hope you're doing the same for us. Resources to Support You in Your May Journey: May 2025 Ideas for  Every  Day Calendar  (family friendly, educational)  May 2025 Growth for Today Calendar  (personal growth, Gospel study) May 2025 Ideas for EVERY Day View the  current month's calendar   at the Learning Lab Tab. Or download your  May 2025 calendar  through  OneDrive . View  archived calendars  on our JOY f...
Read more

Matthew 25 | The Wolfe Notes

Image
In 2025 we're working our way through the gospels and invite you to join us as we seek to learn from Jesus. Find all our notes, from this year and past years, at the  Faith Food  tab. And if you'd like ideas for suggested pacing, download our  March calendar . Welcome, friends, we're so glad you're journeying with us. Let's grow together! Our notes on Matthew 25 include: An Overview :  Topic, Themes, and Summary. An Outline   Of our thoughts and questions. Exploration   Of watching carefully. A Reflection  On not tarrying. An Invitation to Respond   To a God who knows  you. Matthew 25 Overview General Topic Jesus delineates two subgroups of humanity: the righteous and the unrighteous. Key Themes Prepared. Faithful. Judged. Summary Jesus tells two more Kingdom of Heaven parables. The first story warns us to always be ready for His return. The second demands faithfulness to God's ways. The chapter ends with a scene of the final judgment. Outlin...
Read more