Posted on 01/06/2022 8:27:15 AM PST by metmom
“The heavens were opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him” (Matthew 3:16).
About the supernatural sign that occurred at the conclusion of Jesus’ baptism, one commentator has suggested, “Just as the veil of the Temple was rent in twain to symbolize the perfect access of all men to God, so here the heavens are rent asunder to show how near God is to Jesus, and Jesus to God.”
But did Jesus really need an anointing from the Holy Spirit? When He came to earth, Jesus retained His full deity. In His complete humanity, however, He needed divine strengthening for ministry. Like any human being, Jesus experienced fatigue, hunger, sleepiness, and the like. Only the Holy Spirit could strengthen such humanness (cf. Matt. 4:1; Luke 4:14).
That the Spirit came upon Him at His baptism was a fulfillment of the prophet’s words, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners” (Isa. 61:1). It was also the sign God had given to John the Baptist so that he would know Jesus when he saw Him (John 1:33).
This anointing by the Holy Spirit was unique in several ways, including being the only New Testament instance in which the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove. Most important, however, this act not only empowered Jesus as the Son of Man for redemptive service, but it was a confirming sign to everyone present—and to us as well—that Jesus is indeed the Messiah.
Ask Yourself
If Jesus was dependent on the Spirit’s empowering for effective service, how much more do we need His help and strengthening? In what ways are you making yourself fully open to the Holy Spirit’s power and direction? Pray that He will make you ever aware of your need for Him.
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
The body functions in this 4 variable realm, but the souyl and spirit are existing in a higher variable realm, not limited by the time of our 4D realm thus existing when born again in a temporal reality of eternity. Yes, the spirit will exist after the body ceases to function and returns to the atomic dust. BUT the spirit was made by God to exist forever. The issue is in what state this spirit will exist, either aqlive in the Presence of God or in the presence of satan in the lake of fire. Yes, there really is a 'lake of fire' reality set apart from the righteousness of God. Our spirit will exist forever in one or the other reality. Choose Jesus and the Grace of God in Christ and be born again, NOW. 'By faith in whom God sent are you saved and not by works of the flesh.'
The body functions in this 4 variable realm, but the soul and spirit are existing in a higher variable realm, not limited by the time of our 4D realm thus existing when born again in a temporal reality of eternity. Yes, the spirit will exist after the body ceases to function and returns to the atomic dust. BUT the spirit was made by God to exist forever. The issue is in what state this spirit will exist, either alive in the Presence of God or in the presence of satan in the lake of fire.
Yes, there really is a 'lake of fire' reality set apart from the righteousness of God. Our spirit will exist forever in one or the other reality. Choose Jesus and the Grace of God in Christ and be born again, NOW. 'By faith in whom God sent are you saved and not by works of the flesh.'
The Spirit prompted me to add a little for clarity ... and to correct typos.
Here’s a Protestant writing about what January 6 is REALLY about—esp[ecially from an Orthodox point of view—The Theophany of our Lord!!!!
Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Commemorated on January 6 (New Calendar):
Troparion — Tone 1
When You, O Lord were baptized in the Jordan / the worship of the Trinity was made manifest / for the voice of the Father bore witness to You / and called You His beloved Son. / And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, / confirmed the truthfulness of His word. / O Christ, our God, You have revealed Yourself / and have enlightened the world, glory to You!
Kontakion — Tone 4
Today You have shown forth to the world, O Lord, / and the light of Your countenance has been marked on us. / Knowing You, we sing Your praises. / You have come and revealed Yourself, / O unapproachable Light.
I thought John and Jesus were cousins. Why would John not know who he was?
John was a cousin of Jesus but I think a lot of people, Jesus’ own family included, didn’t really get it until after He died and rose again.
He may not have fit in with what their conception of the messiah would be.
Of the three prominent sects of Judaism in the time of Jesus, ONLY the Essenes were anticipating His arrival when He came. The Dead Sae Scrolls reveal an astonishing reality for the Essenes. They were likely the ones first converted when Peter preached on Pentecost because Peter was saying things that affirmed prophecies revealed int he Scrolls hundreds of years before Jesus came to redeem those who believe. The Zadok priesthood of the Essenes had recorded many prophecies that Jesus fulfilled in the predicted 32 AD ... albeit the Essene’s c alendar was different from the Gregorian.
https://freerepublic.com/~religionmoderator/
Religion Forum threads labeled “Devotional:”
Devotional threads are closed to debate of any kind.
This applies to this devotional thread as well as the other one from the day before, where I reminded you of the same thing.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/4027027/posts?page=17#17
If you want to debate baptism, start your own thread. An open one.
Fine. If you wish I could complain about the other posters, as well, although that is moot because others, including me, have had posts deleted by the RM on these two threads (the 5th and this one). I am not picking on you to single you out.
While I disagree with you on issues, I have never found your style to be offensive or demeaning, or snarky. You have always been reasonable to discuss things with.
However, the guidelines for devotional threads are clear. Debate is not allowed and yet you were on two threads and continued after I reminded someone of the guidelines. The others ceased and desisted.
There is nowhere in this thread where MacArthur made any reference to Catholicism. If you want to start threads answering what you perceive to be MacArthur’s errors or untrue statements about Catholicism, feel free to do so when you see them, and make it an open thread.
Well, the mod saw it differently I guess for a bunch of the posts.
Again, it’s really nothing personal but just a matter of keeping devotional threads from being contentious.
I am glad that you find the edifying in some way. That is the intent of posting them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.