Sunday School Lesson – June 28, 2020 The Shell symbolizing the Baptism of Jesus John the Baptist provided a baptism that served as a sign of repentance, but Jesus was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). So why did John baptize Jesus? At first, even John the Baptist sought to dismiss Jesus' request for baptism. He said, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" (Matthew 3:14). John recognized Jesus was the spotless Lamb of God (John 1:29) who did not need to be baptized to show His repentance. He then consented after Jesus replied, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). Several factors explain why the perfect Son of God chose to be baptized. First, Jesus sought to make a clear connection with John the Baptist. John was the "voice of one crying in the wilderness" (Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3) who served as the Elijah who was to come. As the one to announce the Messiah, it was fitting for him to dedicate Jesus for His public ministry. Second, Jesus' baptism connected the humanity of Jesus with the rest of humanity. Though He was without sin, He took on the form of a man and identified with human experiences. This even included His experience of being baptized, a practice He would later command of all His followers (Matthew 28:18-20). Third, Jesus' baptism provided an example He expected other believers to follow. In Matthew 28:18-20 we read, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Jesus began His public ministry with baptism; He ended His public ministry with a command for His followers to baptize others. Fourth, the baptism of Jesus provided the first explicit mention in the New Testament involving all three members of the Triune God. Matthew 3:16-17 says, "And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'" Jesus, the Spirit, and the voice of God the Father all appear at one time, revealing the uniqueness of each Person of the Trinity while affirming their essential unity. In summary, the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist included enormous theological significance. It affirmed Jesus as the Messiah whom John spoke of, revealed the humanity of Jesus, provided an example for others, and displayed a beautiful picture of the Triune God among the earliest followers of Jesus. Now perhaps you say “why the shell? Here are the definitions I found of baptism: Immersion Baptism performed by submerging an individual in water is called baptism by immersion. Eastern Orthodox churches and some Protestant denominations practice this method of baptism. They conduct baptism in this way to imitate early church practice, which many theologians believe predominately practiced baptism by submerging individuals in moving bodies of water. Aspersion A baptism conducted by sprinkling holy water onto someone's head is called baptism by aspersion. The method of baptism is practiced by Catholics and some Protestant denominations. Proponents of the method argue that the Greek word "baptizo" can mean "to put an element or liquid on or above." Though theologians recognize that baptism by immersion is the typical way baptism was administered, historical practice recognizes aspersion as a common alternative for sick people, children and individuals in prison. People who practice this type of baptism do not deny the validity of baptism by immersion. Instead, they view their practice as also valid and more practical in modern circumstances. Affusion Baptism performed by pouring water onto someone's head is called baptism by affusion. About the 10th century, affusion became the predominant method of baptism. Today, the Roman Catholic Church believes that baptism is valid only if the water that a person touches is moving. Thus, immersion in stagnant bodies of water and sprinkling water onto someone's head do not adequately demonstrate an individual's old life being washed away and are considered invalid practices by the Roman Catholic Church. The shell symbolizes baptism by affusion, by pouring. More important to us as United Methodist Christians is the significance of baptism. Baptism is a practice within the Christian faith involving cleansing by water. The English word “baptism” is a derivative of the Greek work “baptisma” which was a term used for a ritual washing. In the Old Testament the term described the ritual cleansing practices priest were supposed to perform for the congregations of Israel. In the Gospels, baptism was practiced as a symbol of initiation into the belief system of the Christian community. Permit me a joke via my dear father. He loved to tell us “he was sprinkled as a Methodist, blessed by the Pope and dunked by the Baptists. Got it all covered.” He was baptized as an infant, had the privilege of a trip to Europe and an audience with the Pope via his Catholic school education, and joined the Baptist church as an adult. No matter the manner of your baptism, even as an infant, the ritual welcomes you into the community of believers. The priests had to perform ritual cleansing for the people of Israel. Jesus performed that once and forever with his blood on the cross. Our baptism, infant, youth or adult, immersion, aspersion or affusion, is a rite of passage symbolizing our belief in Jesus. Remember your baptism! .