Baptism

• Why Jesus, who never sinned, asked to receive baptism

  • This marked the official beginning of his public ministry
  • Jesus stood together with the people who were sinners
  • He took upon himself the sins of others
  • He showed approval of John's work and message
  • He gave an example for others to follow
• Signs of God's approval of Jesus

  • Heaven opened
  • The Holy Spirit came down like a dove
  • A voice came from Heaven approving of Jesus
• John's baptism


  • A sign of repentance— through the ritual, one showed that he was sorry for his sins and he wanted to start a new life
  • A sign of forgiveness— John promised that if one repented, God would forgive him
  • A sign to the world— through baptism one showed publicly that he was sorry and wanted to be forgiven
• Today's baptism


  • Showed our faith in Christ who has come
  • Admit us into the Church with a new name
  • Bring about the forgiveness of sin and the start of a new life in Christ
  • Give us a share in the priesthood of Christ
  • Be a rebirth as children of God through the power of the Holy Spirit
• Jesus' mission


  To save people from sins through his suffering (crucifixion) and death
• Jesus' three temptations


  1. Turning stones to bread - the devil tempted Jesus to use His power for Himself to satisfy His own physical needs

  2. Worshipping the devil and to build his own earthly kingdom, not God's - the devil tempted Jesus to seek power and wealth by worshipping the devil

  3. Jumping down from the top of the Temple to impress the world - the devil tempted Jesus to prove everyone he was special and to go for instant fame
• Jesus prayed and fasted for 40days
• Jesus answered the first temptation by saying, 'The Scripture says, "People cannot live on bread alone"'
• Jesus responded to the second temptation, 'The Scripture says, "You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him alone"'
• Jesus answered the third temptation, 'The Scripture says, "You shall not challenge the Lord your God"'