"We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."The first two aspects of this Article, in my opinion, are self-explanatory. The third and fourth parts may need some further explanation.
John the Baptist and Jesus are portrayed in the picture to the right. Why would the Son of God, He being the example for all mankind, have the need to be baptized The other question that comes to my mind is why did He go to His cousin, John?
It is interesting that at this point of Jesus's life, the beginning of His ministry, He does go to John. Many things occur during this occasion making it very, very eventful. I will try to point out the things that I feel should be explained further.
When Jesus shows up at the Jordan river it would appear that He may have somewhat surprised John. Matthew gives some details regarding this exchange:
"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him." (Matthew 3:13-15)
Why would He go to John? Was it because of the family relationship? Or was it because John had the authority to baptize? Zacharias, who was John's father, held the priesthood of Aaron. A review of the Old Testament will show that this priesthood was an inherited priesthood- one that was passed down from father to son. The first chapter of Luke details some of the duties that Zacharias performed specifically because he was of the tribe of Levi. Thus John was ordained to this priesthood which then permitted him to fulfill the tasks that he was to perform. If John had not had the priesthood the Savior would necessarily had to have gone to someone who did. John being His cousin was an aside.
Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, led a perfect life. Perfect doesn't necessarily mean easy. He was tempted but never succumbed to temptation; He loved and cared for those around Him. Why would a man such as He need to be baptized?
An ancient prophet by the name of Nephi teaches his people regarding this specific topic of why would the Savior need to be baptized.
"And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all rightousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!...Know ye knot that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments. Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove. And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them." (2 Nephi 31:5, 7-9)
It is interesting that at this point of Jesus's life, the beginning of His ministry, He does go to John. Many things occur during this occasion making it very, very eventful. I will try to point out the things that I feel should be explained further.
When Jesus shows up at the Jordan river it would appear that He may have somewhat surprised John. Matthew gives some details regarding this exchange:
"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him." (Matthew 3:13-15)
Why would He go to John? Was it because of the family relationship? Or was it because John had the authority to baptize? Zacharias, who was John's father, held the priesthood of Aaron. A review of the Old Testament will show that this priesthood was an inherited priesthood- one that was passed down from father to son. The first chapter of Luke details some of the duties that Zacharias performed specifically because he was of the tribe of Levi. Thus John was ordained to this priesthood which then permitted him to fulfill the tasks that he was to perform. If John had not had the priesthood the Savior would necessarily had to have gone to someone who did. John being His cousin was an aside.
Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, led a perfect life. Perfect doesn't necessarily mean easy. He was tempted but never succumbed to temptation; He loved and cared for those around Him. Why would a man such as He need to be baptized?
An ancient prophet by the name of Nephi teaches his people regarding this specific topic of why would the Savior need to be baptized.
"And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all rightousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!...Know ye knot that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments. Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove. And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them." (2 Nephi 31:5, 7-9)
He was and is our examplar. He is the trailblazer and it is His path we need to follow...
Next....Article 4- Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost....
jsf
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