LESSON VI.-SABBATH, FEBRUARY 11, 1899

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 25, 1899

LESSON VI.—SABBATH, FEBRUARY 11, 1899.

BAPTISM OF JESUS.

At the Ford of the Jordan, Near Jericho, Autumn of A.D. 27.

Note.—The texts inclosed in marks of parentheses, while not essential to the lesson study, will be found to throw much light upon the lesson, and are suggested for those who wish to study further.

Luke 3: 16-23.

16 "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh He that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; He shall 17 baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire; whose fan is in His hand, thoroughly to cleanse His threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into His garner; but the chaff He will burn up with unquenchable fire. 18 "With many other exhortations therefore preached he good 19 tidings unto the people; but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother's wife, and for all the evil 20 things which Herod had done, added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. 21 "Now it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that, Jesus also having been baptized, and praying, the heaven 22 was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon Him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased. 23 "And Jesus Himself, when He began to teach, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph."

Matt. 3: 11-17.

11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost 12 and with fire; whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His threshing-floor; and He will gather His wheat into His garner, but the chaff He will burn up with unquenchable fire. 13 "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, 14 to be baptized of him. But John would have hindered Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou 15 to me? But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he 16 suffereth Him. And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway from the water; and lo, the heavens were opened 17 unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him; and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

John 1: 28, 31, 33.

28 "These things were done in Bethany beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing." 31 "And I knew Him not; but that He should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing with water." 33 "And I knew Him not; but He that sent me to baptize with water, He said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon Him, the same is He that baptizeth with the Holy Spirit."

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

While the people hesitated in their decisions as to who the strange prophet was, what did John say of One who was to follow him? Luke 3: 16; Matt. 3: 11. (John 1: 15, 30.)
What additional baptism did he say would then be given to men? (John 1: 33, 34; Acts 2: 3, 4.)
With what does he represent Christ cleansing His people? Luke 3: 17; Matt. 3: 12. (Mal. 3: 3; Zech. 13: 9.)
What did he say would be done with those who do not submit to this purging? Note 2. (Matt. 13: 30, 40; Mal. 4: 1.)
Where did this occasion take place? John 1: 28. Note 1. (Judges 7: 24; John 10: 40.)
After the baptism of the people on a certain day, who came forward and asked John to baptize Him? Matt. 3: 13. Note 3. (Luke 3: 21.)
How did the Baptist feel about granting the request? V. 14.
What did Jesus say to induce John to change his mind? Verse 15.
What did John then do? (Mark 1: 9.)
Upon Jesus coming up out of the water, what did He immediately do? Luke 3: 21.
While in this attitude, what strange sight appeared? V. 22. Note 4. (Isa. 6: 1-3; Matt. 3: 16; Acts 10: 37, 38.)
In connection with this sight, what was heard, as coming from heaven? Verse 22. Matt. 3: 17. (Matt. 17: 5; 2 Peter 1: 17; John 12: 28.)
How old was Jesus at that time? Luke 3: 23. (Num. 4: 1-3.)
For what reason did John say he had been sent to baptize? John 1: 31. (Isa. 40: 3.)
How did John come to positively know that the One whom he had baptized was the looked-for Messiah? John 1: 33.

Side Lights.—"Desire of Ages," pp. 109-113; "Spirit of Prophecy," vol. 2, chapter 4.

NOTES.

Bethany.—The common version reads, the house of the ford, or passage. The place "Bethabara," was beyond the Jordan, that is, on the east bank of that river, supposed to be nearly opposite Jericho. It is not positively identified. See "Smith's Bible Dictionary."
Burn up, etc.—Language could not more forcibly express the utter destruction of wicked men. As chaff is burned up, so will they be consumed in the presence of God. The fire will not be quenched till it has done its work.
Then cometh Jesus.—The Saviour's modesty on this occasion is a standing model for every professed Christian. As He was retiring and modest, in this first public act of His life, so may all become the same, and demonstrate their worthiness to be counted His followers.
As a dove.—Never, before had such an answer to prayer been realized. The form taken by the Holy Spirit on this occasion is certainly suggestive. It was in the beautiful form and gentle motion of the dove, the appropriate symbol of gentleness and affection. It identified Him as the meek and lowly One, the kind and loving Saviour. That Spirit is the same to-day, and, when received, points out the receiver as being peaceable and "gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James 3: 17.