The Baptism of Jesus Christ

1. Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus?

• John knew that Jesus was the perfect man and that He was teaching what the correct principles should be. John forgot that it was his mission was to prepare the way for Jesus Christ and this was one of the way that he did so. John told Jesus that it was him that needed to be baptize by Christ. Christ needed to be our example in all things, so being baptized was something He needed to do. (Matthew 3:13-14)
  

2. What is taught here about the Holy Ghost?

• In Matthew 3: 16 is says that "lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him." If we read within the LDS New Testament Student Manual, it clarifies what "like a dove" means. It refers to it as "the sign of the dove...the sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, as a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove...the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence."
  
• "Like a dove" is a symbol of truth and doesn't mean literally a dove flew out of heaven.
  

3. Jesus Christ said He must be baptized to "fulfill all righteousness." List three reasons why Jesus Christ was baptized.

• To set the example. "he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments." (2 Nephi 31:7)
• The ordinance of baptism is essential to return to Heavenly Father and to show that you are willing to keep His commandments.
  
• To show that the path to Heavenly Father requires us to take certain actions within our lives. (2 Nephi 31: 9)

4. What evidence is found in Matthew 3: 16-17 that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personages in the Godhead?

• "Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water" (Matthew 3: 16) He had a physical body which was baptize by John.
• "lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him." (Matthew 3:16) The Holy Ghost appeared as a sign of truth and to signify that it wasn't Satan.
• "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3: 17) God speaking to all about Jesus Christ.
  

References: Matthew 3: 13-17 and LDS New Testament Student Manual.

The Premortal and Mortal Savior

Five truths about Jesus Christs' Premortal Life

1. Jesus Christ lived with God and worked with Him in the Premortal World to create all things that are on earth. (John 1:2-3)
2. All things were made by Jesus Christ. (John 1:3)
3. Jesus Christ was chosen to be the one we all look to for light and truth. (John 1:4-5)
4. John the Baptist was sent to earth before Christ to prepare the world for His coming.
(John 1:6-8)
5. Jesus Christ would give all the glory to God. (John 17:1)

Five truths about Jesus Christs' Mortal Life

1. Jesus Christ was not received by all on earth. (John 1:11)
2. Jesus Christ had a body of flesh and blood and He lived on earth. (John 1:14)
3. Jesus Christ had power over all men. (John 17:2)
4. Jesus Christ went to earth to complete the Lord's work. (John 17:4)
5. Even on earth, Jesus Christ still gave all glory to Heavenly Father. (John 17:4)

Names of the Savior

It is interesting to research all of the names that Jesus Christ is referred to but regardless of the name, they all can be applied to Him.

Christ: Comes from a Greek derivation meaning the "Anointed One". This name also expresses His divine origin.

Messiah: Is similar to Christ, the "Anointed One" but with Hebrew origin.

Jehovah: Means the "Self-Existent One" or "The Eternal". Within the Old Testament it can be written at "LORD".

Immanuel: Means that "God with us." Referring to His birth. (Matthew 1:23)

The Word: Jesus Christ performed God's work on earth and this was mostly done through Christs words. It was also said by the Lord that Jesus was "the word of my power." (Moses 1:32)


*Information was taken from the LDS New Testament student manual and the King James Version of the New Testament.*