week 1
JESUS IS THE FULFILLMENT Biblical Passage: Matthew 5:17-20 Supporting Passages: Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Luke 24:27; John 5:39 Memory Verse: Matthew 5:17 Biblical Truth: Believers can have confidence in the promises of Scripture and assurance of salvation because Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament.
CONSIDER… What does the Old Testament mean to you? A book of laws that does not fit in today’s world? A story book of violence and killing? A tale of sin and idol worship? Do you think the God of the Old Testament is consistent with the God of the New Testament? Often, believers tend to focus on the New Testament rather than on the Old Testament because the New Testament focuses on Christ’s love for people. Yet Christ is a part of the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.
DAY 1 REFLECTION HOW TO LIVE Read Matthew 5:1-2 and Matthew 7:28-29. When Jesus taught, large crowds of people gathered to hear what He had to say. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus did more than explain the Old Testament; He taught His disciples how to live. He communicated the heart and soul of God’s Word instead of focusing their attention on a list of rules. As you journal below, consider: How much time do you spend listening to Jesus speak? How is the authority of God’s Word reflected in your life?
THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND When Jesus entered the world, Israel was occupied by the Roman Empire. Herod was appointed first as tetrarch of Galilee and later as king of Judea. Although Herod restored the Jewish Temple, he ruled Israel as a Roman servant. It is no wonder the Jewish citizens eagerly awaited the promised Messiah—a king who would conquer their enemies and establish a kingdom without end. With the expectations firmly in place, the Jews did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus did not come to establish an earthly kingdom. Instead, the Kingdom of God is based on the spiritual relationship between God and humanity. Therefore, Jesus began His ministry by explaining to His disciples His relationship to the Law and the Prophets, the Scriptures that defined Jewish religious life. Jesus’ message was clear: He came as the fulfillment of Scripture.
DAY 2 REFLECTION A PROMISE KEPT Read Matthew 5:17-18. Jesus knew that He would challenge the Jews’ interpretation of the Law and their expectations concerning the Messiah. As He began His ministry, He promised that everything written in the Old Testament, down to the smallest detail, would be fulfilled in His life. As you journal below, consider: What value did Jesus place on the Old Testament? How does His statement challenge your beliefs about the Old Testament? How does God’s faithfulness to keep His promises affect your trust in Him?
Tetrarch The tetrarch was a political ruler within the Roman Empire who had responsibility for a designated area of territory. The Law and the Prophets The Law refers to the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Torah or the Pentateuch. The Law explained God’s expectations of Israel and emphasized the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity. The Prophets referred to the remaining books in the Old Testament which foretold the birth, ministry, and passion of the Messiah. Through these writings, God revealed His plan to send the Messiah into the world.
PAUSE TO PRAY Ask God to prepare your heart to hear how Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount can, and should, change you. Thank God that His Word has the power to radically change your life. Ask God to create within you an unquenchable desire to spend time with Him each day. 6
PAUSE TO PRAY Thank God that He can be trusted to keep His Word. Pray that God would give you the desire to faithfully obey His commands. 7
Least Stroke of a Pen The Greek word keraia refers to a little horn or apex. In the Jewish culture, it was the part of a Hebrew letter that protruded from the letter, such as the crossing of a “t” in our English alphabet. It is known as a “tittle.”
JESUS’ FULFILLMENT (Matt. 5:17-18)
Roman rulers and soldiers occupied Israel to enforce Roman laws and to deal viciously with anyone who challenged Roman authority. At the same time, Jewish religious leaders continued to stress the importance of obeying every aspect of the Law, which contained 613 distinct decrees. Although the Jewish people were overwhelmed by rules, Jesus announced He had not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill every tiny detail, down to the smallest letter and the least stroke of a pen.
Jesus fulfilled both the moral and ceremonial aspects of the Law in three ways. First, throughout His life from infancy to death, in public ministry and in private moments, surrounded by supporters or challenged by dangerous opponents, Jesus fulfilled every aspect of the moral Law. In His death on the cross, Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial Law by satisfying the demand for a sacrifice that would atone for the sins of the world (compare Lev. 16 and Heb. 10). Second, not only did Jesus fully obey the Law, but He also embodied the spirit of the Law. Some of the best examples of how Jesus communicated the full intentions of the Law are found in the remaining verses of Matthew 5. With the words, “You have heard that it was said,” Jesus explained the ways the Jewish religious leaders interpreted and taught the Mosaic Law. With the contrasting statement, “but I say to you,” Jesus emphasized God’s fullest intention for those laws (see Matt. 5:21-22,27-28,31-32,33-34,38-39,43-44).
Read verses 17-18 again. The Greek letter iota was used to write the letter yod, the smallest letter in the Hebrew. Jesus explained that He would fulfill every little detail of God’s Word? Why was that important to the Jews? How does God’s past faithfulness help you trust Him today?
The Old Testament contains more than 300 prophecies about the Messiah, with forty-eight prophecies specifically related to His life, death, and resurrection. Read and compare the Old Testament prophecy (listed in the left column) with its corresponding fulfillment in the New Testament (listed in the right column). On the line provided, summarize the fulfilled prophecy. Micah 5:2________________________________________________________________ Matthew 2:1 Isaiah 40:3_____________________________________________________________ Matthew 3:1-2 Zecharaiah 9:9___________________________________________________________Luke 19:35-37 Psalm 41:9__________________________________________________________Matthew 26:47-48 Psalm 22:16________________________________________________________________Luke 23:33 Zechariah 11:12________________________________________________________Matthew 26:15 Isaiah 50:6_____________________________________________________________Matthew 26:67 Isaiah 53:7__________________________________________________________Matthew 27:12-14
Third, all of the prophecies concerning the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah would be fulfilled in Jesus. At the same time, all of the requirements of God’s plan to make salvation available to those who seek Him would be accomplished. By fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, Jesus demonstrated that God could be trusted to keep all His promises and to bring His plans to completion.
Isaiah 53:12____________________________________________________________Matthew 27:58
Jesus knew the Jews longed for the Messiah—a political king who would defeat their enemies and establish Israel as an independent nation that would never again be ruled by foreigners— not a Suffering Servant who would pay the price for humanity’s sin. But Jesus clearly understood His purpose. Because He fully obeyed the Law and fulfilled all the prophecies, Jesus could become the Savior and Redeemer of mankind.
Through His ministry, Jesus also fulfilled God’s plan, established before the world began, for reconciling sinners to their holy God. Read these corresponding Old and New Testament passages to discover how God’s plan was fulfilled.
Psalm 22:8______________________________________________________________John 19:23-24 Psalm 34:20________________________________________________________________John 19:33 Psalm 16:10_________________________________________________________________ Acts 2:31
Exodus 12:1-7____________________________________________________________ John 1:29-34 Leviticus 16:15-22_____________________________________________________ Hebrews 10:1-7 Numbers 21:6-9__________________________________________________________ John 3:10-15 Jeremiah 31:31-34_______________________________________________________Luke 22:14-20
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DAY 3 REFLECTION NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION Read Matthew 5:19. Those who practice and teach God’s commands will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven, but those who break the commands and teach others to break them will be least in the Kingdom. All of us teach someone, both intentionally and unintentionally, both verbally and by example. Jesus stressed that we must live according to His commands and lead others to do the same. As you journal below, consider: What do my actions show others about my walk with God? Do I lead others to follow or break God’s commands? creation lead you to worship God? What portions of His creation has God given into your care? How can you honor Him in that responsibility?
PAUSE TO PRAY Ask God to show you the people in your life who watch your Christian example. Pray that both your actions and your words will give evidence to your faith in God.
JESUS’ CALL TO RIGHTEOUSNESS (Matt. 5:19-20)
In the first century, Jewish religious leaders stressed the importance of obeying the 613 commandments found in the Law, but they also categorized those laws into “greater” and “lesser” commandments. The lesser commandments addressed requirements such as tithing one-tenth of their crops and livestock. The greater commandments addressed issues such as blasphemy, keeping the Sabbath, and social justice. In His previous statement, Jesus had already emphasized the importance of every tiny detail in God’s Law. Now He stressed that no man had the authority to minimize or disregard any commandments in their teaching or their lifestyle. Jesus called the Jewish religious leaders to follow the Law and to faithfully teach God’s commandments to others. Those who obeyed the Law and taught others to do the same would be called “great in the kingdom of heaven.” Conversely, those who disregarded or disobeyed portions of the Law and taught others to do the same would be called “least in the kingdom of heaven.”
traditions, often drawing attention to their efforts (see Jesus’ warning against such behaviors in Matt. 6:1,2,5,7,16). In spite of their meticulous attention to the Law, Jesus knew the Pharisees had never allowed those laws to change their hearts. The Sadducees, who lived according to strict interpretation of the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament), exerted their influence as priests and caretakers of the Temple. In addition to painstakingly copying the Old Testament scrolls, the scribes frequently served as teachers and lawyers. These religious leaders were the acknowledged experts in the Law, but their righteousness was insufficient in Jesus’ eyes. As Jesus continued His message, He told His listeners that only those whose righteousness exceeded the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees would enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus’ statement must have astounded His audience. If the religious leaders could not earn God’s favor, then what hope did anyone have of entering the kingdom? As Jesus continued to teach, He emphasized that true righteousness would come from God and would be manifested in the hearts of those who trusted in Jesus. As partakers in the New Covenant, people who place their faith in Christ will be given a new heart and a new spirit. God will be faithful to His promise to put His Spirit within them, and by His Spirit, God will enable them to walk in His statutes and observe His ordinances (see Eze. 36:26-29).
DAY 4 REFLECTION ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pharisees The Pharisees focused on Jewish laws and traditions while distancing themselves from worldly or liberal individuals. They made the Law burdensome by expecting all Jews to adhere legalistically to the Law of Moses and hypocritically looking down on those who failed to keep the smallest details of the Law. Sadducees Their title in the Greek means “the righteous,” which is how this group of religious leaders, including most of the high priests, viewed themselves. They rejected Jewish traditions, accepting only the Mosaic Law as Scripture. These mostly upper-class citizens oversaw commerce in the Temple and collaborated with the ruling government.
Read Matthew 5:20. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law relied on their Jewish heritage and strict observance of the Law for salvation. But people have never been able to earn salvation; it has always been a gift from God (Eph. 2:8-9). A true understanding of the Old Testament reveals that salvation is found through Jesus Christ alone. The righteousness of Christ far exceeds any righteousness of our own. As you journal below, consider: Do you rely on your works or God’s grace for salvation?
These religious leaders—the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes—were well known for their efforts in keeping the Law. The Pharisees focused on strict adherence to the Law and the oral 10
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PAUSE TO PRAY Praise God as the Creator of all things. Thank Him for giving you life and everything you need for living. Pray for opportunities to share with others that God is worthy of all worship and praise.
Read verses 19-20 again. The Pharisees taught through both word and deed. Jesus stated that the actions of the Pharisees were contradictory to their teachings. List Jesus’ specific charges here:
DAY 5 REFLECTION KEEPING IT SIMPLE Read Matthew 22:34-40. The Jewish religious leaders continued to challenge Jesus’ teaching throughout His ministry. In this instance, they effectively dared Jesus to pick the most important law. Jesus’ response was both simple and profound: “Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.…Love your neighbor as yourself.” All of the teachings of the Old Testament are built on these two commands. As you journal below, consider: What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind? Do you consistently love others in the same way?
What happened when their actions contradicted their teaching?
Do your actions accurately reflect your devotion to God? Why or why not?
PAUSE TO PRAY Pray that love for God will occupy your thoughts, your emotions, and your spirit throughout the day. Ask God for opportunities to share that love with others.
Are you trying to earn God’s favor by following the rules?
CONCLUSION
For nearly fifteen centuries, since Moses had led the Israelites out of Egypt and ratified their covenant relationship with God, the Jews had studied and obeyed the Law and the Prophets. Yet their efforts had led them neither to true righteousness nor to a correct understanding of the role of the long-awaited Messiah. But Jesus came to earth to fulfill all things revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures. The people who heard and accepted His message would find forgiveness of their sins and entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Because The Bible is God’s Word in its entirety, Jesus Christ is at the very center. He was involved even before the world was created. Yet, Jesus came not to replace the Scriptures, but to fulfill them. By fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament, Jesus Christ firmly demonstrated that He was and is our Messiah.
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week 2
JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD Biblical Passage: Matthew 3:13-17; John 1:29-34 Supporting Passages: Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22 Memory Verse: Acts 2:42 Biblical Truth: During Jesus’ baptism, God acknowledged Jesus’ identity as His Son.
CONSIDER…
message struck the hearts of many who heard him. They came from Jerusalem, areas surrounding the Jordan River, and all of Judea to repent and be baptized in the Jordan River. John’s preaching was powerful—so powerful that some wondered if he might be the Christ, Elijah, or a Prophet. John did not hesitate to tell them that he certainly was none of those. John had a very specific role to play. He served as the forerunner who announced the arrival of Christ, the One who would initiate a new form of baptism.
We frequently use ceremonies to symbolize the changes that are taking place in our lives. When teenagers complete high school, they participate in a graduation ceremony to celebrate their accomplishment and to signify their entrance into the adult world. During a marriage ceremony, a husband and wife pledge their love for one another as a symbol of their lifetime commitment to each other. An athlete might participate in a signing ceremony when he or she signs a contract with a collegiate or professional sports team. After each of these ceremonies, the people live differently than the way they lived before. Baptism is a religious ceremony performed in many Protestant churches. Think about your baptism or the times you’ve witnessed another person’s
DAY 1 REFLECTION THE MEANING OF BAPTISM
John the Baptist
John was the forerunner of Jesus, sent to prepare the way for the Lord. John’s mother was Elizabeth, a relative of Mary (Jesus’ mother); his father was Zechariah, a priest. John was born about six months before Jesus. John lived in the desert, perhaps with the Essenes, until he began his public ministry, probably at age 30. John dressed like one of the prophets of old in clothes made from camel’s hair and existed on a meager diet of locusts and wild honey.
Read Matthew 3:13-15. John the Baptist baptized those who confessed and repented of their sins. When Jesus requested baptism, John protested. Jesus did not need to be baptized; He had never sinned. But Jesus insisted that His baptism would “fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus’ baptism symbolized His mission. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, He paid the price for humanity’s sins. As you journal below, consider: How do you feel knowing that your sin cost Jesus His life? How does baptism symbolize your salvation?
baptism. What did those experiences mean to you? Were they about the person who was baptized? Or, did they point witnesses to Jesus? Jesus even chose to be baptized. What made baptism so important to Him?
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTISM
In the ancient world, ritual cleansings or washings were performed as rites of purification before approaching God. For example, the Israelites washed themselves and their clothes before entering into covenant with God (see Ex. 19), and the Levites were cleansed with water before their dedication as priests before God (see Num. 8). By the first century A.D., Gentiles who wished to become a member of the Jewish community of faith were baptized. Religious leaders, such as Pharisees and the scribes at Qumran, participated in ritualistic cleansings on a regular basis. Before Jesus began His public ministry, John the Baptist preached repentance and baptized those who confessed their sins against God. His 14
PAUSE TO PRAY Consider what your life would look like without God. Then, thank God for sending Jesus to pay for your sins.
JESUS’ BAPTISM (Matt. 3:13-15)
John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to repent of their sins “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:1-2). While John was baptizing in the Jordan River those who had confessed their sins, Jesus approached John and asked to be baptized. John protested because he recognized his need to be baptized by Jesus. John knew his 15
purpose was to prepare the people to respond to Jesus, the One mightier than himself, who would baptize His followers with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11). Since Jesus had never sinned, John knew Jesus had no reason to repent nor to undergo John’s baptism with water, which symbolized a repentant heart. However, when Jesus said His baptism would “fulfill all righteousness,” John complied with Jesus’ request. Because Jesus came to earth to do the will of His Father (John 8:38), it is reasonable to conclude that God had directed Jesus to be baptized.
sin (hamartia)
This word means “missing the mark.” It pictures an archer who aims at the bull’s eye on a target but misses. God’s mark is perfection, but we cannot measure up to it. The word hamartia refers to the sinful nature we inherited from Adam rather than to specific sins.
Biblical scholars offer several possible explanations for why the perfect, sinless Son of God would be baptized. By submitting to baptism, Jesus identified Himself with humanity. Because He had no sin, Jesus could pay the penalty for all of humanity’s sin and provide a way for individuals to be reconciled to God. By seeking baptism through John, Jesus validated John’s mission as the forerunner of the Messiah and officially launched His own ministry. Most importantly, Jesus’ baptism symbolized His reason for coming to earth. His submersion and re-emergence from the water pictured His death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism portrays what happens to those who believe in Jesus: He puts to death and buries the old way of life and brings about new life. Why was it important for Jesus to identify Himself with humanity?
What did baptism symbolize to those John baptized?
What did it symbolize in Jesus’ life? In the life of a believer today? What “old ways” have you put to death in your life? How do you know you have new life in Christ?
DAY 2 REFLECTION A HEAVENLY DECLARATION Read Matthew 3:16-17. When John baptized Jesus, God’s Spirit descended upon Him and God announced that Jesus was His Son. God revealed His Son in an amazing and unmistakable way. Those who witnessed this event would never be the same. As did John, they certainly told everyone they knew about the things they had seen and heard. As you 16
journal below, consider: How did God reveal His Son to you? How did you respond? Do you continue to share your knowledge of Christ with others?
PAUSE TO PRAY Thank God for revealing His Son to the world and to you specifically. Pray that God would give you the desire to reveal His Son to everyone you know.
JESUS IS GOD’S SON (Matt. 3:16-17)
The events that happened in the next moments fulfilled Old Testament prophecies and should have convinced the Jews who observed this event of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, the Messiah or “anointed one.” When Jesus emerged from the Jordan River, the heavens opened and God’s Spirit descended as a dove to light upon Jesus. This people who watched this visible manifestation of the Spirit falling upon Jesus might recall the words of Isaiah 61:1. Jesus had come to bring good news to the afflicted and freedom to the captives. God’s voice from heaven announced, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Certainly God’s announcement ensured the people who witnessed Jesus’ baptism would understand He is God’s Son. But this announcement also fulfilled other Scriptures that the first-century Jews had concluded were messianic prophecies. Psalm 2:7 explained that the Lord’s Anointed would be God’s Son. Isaiah 42:1 revealed that God’s Spirit would be upon His Servant. The significance of this event cannot be ignored, for this is the way God revealed His Son— the Messiah—to humanity. Notice the physical presence of the Trinity (Father, Son, Spirit): the voice of God the Father, the person of Jesus the Son, and the visible presence of God the Spirit. God took extreme care to make sure people recognized His Son as the One who had come to save His people. People then had to decide how to respond to God’s revelation. During His ministry and in centuries to follow, some would believe Jesus is God’s Son and receive new life. Others would reject Him and suffer eternal consequences. Read verses 16-17 again. God has clearly revealed that Jesus, His Son, is the Messiah. Do you accept or reject that statement? Explain.
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“Jesus’ act of being baptized was a witness to the rightness of His relationship in the Kingdom and to His right relationship with God, the sovereign of this Kingdom.”––Myron Augsburger, Mastering the New Testament: Matthew
DAY 3 REFLECTION THE FINAL SACRIFICE Read John 1:29-31. John proclaimed that Jesus was the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. His statement brought vivid pictures to mind because the Jews were familiar with the requirement of sacrificing a lamb to temporarily atone for the sins in their lives. Jesus came to pay the penalty for the sins of all people. Because of His sacrifice, we can be reconciled to God. As you journal below, consider: How does Jesus’ sacrifice demonstrate God’s love for you? How has His love changed your life?
sin that resided in the heart of every person (Jer. 17:9) and therefore permeated the entire world. When Jesus completed His mission, His sacrifice would be sufficient to provide forgiveness of sins—permanently—for every person who professed faith in Him. God, who called John the Baptist to baptize repentant sinners with water, had revealed that His Spirit would descend and remain on the One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. To this point in Jewish history, the Spirit had occasionally fallen upon an individual for the period of time necessary to enable them to complete an assigned task, but the Spirit had never remained with that person. Although John had been watching and waiting, even he had not recognized Jesus as the Messiah until the events surrounding His baptism occurred. John baptized with water to symbolize repentance. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit to symbolize new life in Him. The message of Christ remains the same today. People must recognize Christ as both the Son of God and the Sacrificial Lamb who paid the penalty for their sins. Those who believe these truths receive new life, made evident by the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of them. Look up the following verses to discover the significance of the lamb. Genesis 22:1-8 ______________________________________________________________________ Exodus 12:1-13 ______________________________________________________________________
PAUSE TO PRAY Thank Jesus for paying the penalty for your sin so that you can be reconciled to God. Pray that your life would be a testimony of God’s great love.
JESUS IS THE LAMB OF GOD (John 1:2934)
John the Baptist knew the purpose of his ministry was to prepare the people to hear and receive Jesus’ ministry. Though John the Baptist had been born approximately six months before Jesus, John emphasized that Jesus existed before him and ranked higher than him. As John watched Jesus approach, he proclaimed Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” The Jewish people were well aware of the concept of the sacrificial lamb that was slaughtered to temporarily atone for their sins. (Complete the activity below to explore this concept in greater detail.) John’s testimony emphasized that Jesus had come to deal with the sin problem— 18
Lamb of God
The Jewish people understood the concept of the sacrificial lamb. When God slaughtered the first-born in Egypt, the Jews smeared the blood of the Passover Lamb over their doorposts to protect their first-born from God’s judgment. A Jewish person who had sinned was required by Levitical Law to sacrifice a lamb without blemish to atone for his sin (Lev. 5:1-6:7). On the Day of Atonement, an annual Jewish ceremony, the high priest sacrificed a goat to atone for the sins of Israel (Lev. 16).
Leviticus 5:1-6 _______________________________________________________________________ Isaiah 53:7-8 ________________________________________________________________________ Acts 8:32-34 ________________________________________________________________________ 1 Peter 2:21-25 ______________________________________________________________________ Hebrews 10:1-14 ____________________________________________________________________ Read verses 32-33. God distinctly revealed His Son to John the Baptist. How did God reveal His Son to you?
John publicly testified that Jesus is the Son of God. What is your public testimony?
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DAY 4 REFLECTION
DAY 5 REFLECTION
THE ULTIMATE HOUSEGUEST
THE NEW YOU
Read John 1:29-34. After baptizing Jesus, John testified that the Spirit of God rested on Jesus. John also stated that Jesus would baptize His followers with the Holy Spirit. When you become a Christian by accepting Jesus’ sacrificial death as payment for your sins, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside you. The Spirit seals your redemption (Eph. 1:13-14) and guides your life (John 16:8-14). As you journal below, consider: Do you consciously listen to the voice of God’s Spirit? What has He taught you lately? What happens when you choose to ignore His leading?
Read Romans 6:3-7. Baptism does not secure your salvation; baptism symbolizes that you have accepted the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Baptism is a picture of what happens in salvation. Your old self, with its sinful desires, is crucified with Christ. Because the sinful nature is dead, it no longer controls you. You are given new life in Christ. The Holy Spirit within you helps you become more like Christ each day. As you journal below, consider: What was your life like before Christ? Describe ways the Holy Spirit helps you become more like Christ.
PAUSE TO PRAY Thank God for His presence in your life each day. Pray that you will always be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He teaches you God’s Word and guides your actions.
PAUSE TO PRAY Thank God for the gift of salvation in Christ. Thank God that He has broken the power of sin in your life. Pray that your life will be a testimony of the new life offered in Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION
Jesus came to earth to fulfill God’s plan to provide salvation to everyone who seeks His forgiveness for their sins. One aspect of this plan included submitting to baptism. God used this event in Jesus’ life to reveal to the world that Jesus is God’s Son. The presence of each Person of the Triune God at this event reinforced the significance of Jesus’ baptism at the beginning of His earthly ministry. As God in the flesh, perfect and without blemish, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, allowing those who believe in Him to receive salvation and eternal life. Because Salvation is by Faith Alone, only those who believe that Jesus paid the price for their sins through His death, burial, and resurrection will be accepted into the kingdom of God. Believers who follow Jesus in baptism understand that they are participating in a ceremony that symbolizes their internal decision to turn away from their sinfulness, accept God’s forgiveness, and live the remainder of their lives in the power of the Holy Spirit within them.
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