Four Gospel Accounts of the Baptism of JesusDivide the group to have a few reach each of

the following…Mark 1:9-11Matthew 3:13-17Luke 3:21-22John 1:29-34

Bible StudyCompare and contrast the four gospel stories

of Jesus baptism. What similarities and differences do you notice? Which stories seem most similar/different?

What does Jesus baptism mean for our baptism?

What does your baptism mean to you?

A closer looking at Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

Bible StudyIf Jesus would bring a baptism of "Holy Spirit

and fire" (3:11), why does he need a baptism with mere water?

What purpose/significance does Jesus baptism by John serve, especially given that this his first activity in ministry?

Jesus tells John he must be baptized to fulfill all righteousness. What does this mean?

What does Jesus baptism mean for our baptism?

What does your baptism mean to you?

Although scholars are divided regarding authentic location of Jesus’ Baptism, the Yardenit site is alluring in its unadorned simplicity. About 500,000 pilgrims a year are attracted to the location, enjoying the clean waters of the Jordan River

just meters south of the Sea of Galilee.

Since its beginning in 1981, about 10 million have visited the site.

Fed in the north by melting snows from Mount Heron and finishing its journey in the Dead sea, the River Jordan takes over 200 miles to

flow a distance that is only 65 miles as a crow flies

Crowds from many denominations line the banks of the Jordan to celebrate their baptisms

People debate as to the actual location on the Jordan River that Jesus was baptized. The Orthodox Church maintains another site at Qasr el Yhud (Castle of the Jews). Yardenit was established in 1981

and does not presume to be actual location. A new site on the Eastern, Jordanian side of the river, not far from the ruins of a Byzantine is now drawing attention as the actual place of the original baptism.

Susan’s Baptism Video1