appearing for a purpose
APPEARING FOR A PURPOSE! The Baptism of Jesus: Mark 1:9-11
It is time we remember how we appeared for baptism. Jesus is appearing for Baptism, for the first time since He was seen in the Temple at age 12. Luke summarized His 18 years, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man,” Luke 2:52. The question is – Why was Jesus baptized? Jesus was baptized - “to fulfill every ordinance of God” - to identify with John the Baptist’s ministry; For John to know that Jesus was the Messiah and to signal the beginning of His public ministry. Jesus publicly accepted the mission - to identify with us. We are baptized to – grow into the full stature of Christ; renounce satan, believe in God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, continue in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread and prayers – and seek and serve Christ in all persons ….BCP page 299 The Anointing Spirit came in the form of a dove, and descended on the Lord Jesus Christ. The dove was the offering of the poor man and associated with sacrifice. Jesus was anointed for a life of selfsacrifice. A life associated with peace, gentleness and humility. The Spirit came on Jesus to fulfill the ancient prophecies - the Jewish were looking for the Messiah and they recognized these signs as a fulfillment of the prophecies connected to the Messiah. Jesus did everything as a Spirit-filled man and lived a perfect life. When God spoke, He voiced His approval of Jesus as His Son. The approval was public; God said, “I am well pleased!” Pleased with us! Baptism should usher in the beginning of our active ministry or participation in and outside the church – we have been equipped, enabled, empowered, accepted by God – do it – take a program you want to work on. Remember, there is no excuse! It is our turn! The Rev. Dr. George Okusi – Vicar: 01/07/2018 at 8am and 10:15am Services
It is time we remember how we appeared for baptism. Jesus is appearing for Baptism, for the first time since He was seen in the Temple at age 12. Luke summarized His 18 years, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man,” Luke 2:52. The question is – Why was Jesus baptized? Jesus was baptized - “to fulfill every ordinance of God” - to identify with John the Baptist’s ministry; For John to know that Jesus was the Messiah and to signal the beginning of His public ministry. Jesus publicly accepted the mission - to identify with us. We are baptized to – grow into the full stature of Christ; renounce satan, believe in God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, continue in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread and prayers – and seek and serve Christ in all persons ….BCP page 299 The Anointing Spirit came in the form of a dove, and descended on the Lord Jesus Christ. The dove was the offering of the poor man and associated with sacrifice. Jesus was anointed for a life of selfsacrifice. A life associated with peace, gentleness and humility. The Spirit came on Jesus to fulfill the ancient prophecies - the Jewish were looking for the Messiah and they recognized these signs as a fulfillment of the prophecies connected to the Messiah. Jesus did everything as a Spirit-filled man and lived a perfect life. When God spoke, He voiced His approval of Jesus as His Son. The approval was public; God said, “I am well pleased!” Pleased with us! Baptism should usher in the beginning of our active ministry or participation in and outside the church – we have been equipped, enabled, empowered, accepted by God – do it – take a program you want to work on. Remember, there is no excuse! It is our turn! The Rev. Dr. George Okusi – Vicar: 01/07/2018 at 8am and 10:15am Services
