Here we read the interesting account of Jesus’ baptism by John. Jesus instructs John to baptize him, much to the consternation of John. Jesus has a reason for doing this as he shows his followers that there is nothing that he asks them to do that he is not willing to do himself. Even more awe-inspiring is the fact that as John obeys and baptizes Jesus, God the Father makes a heavenly pronouncement. He declares that Jesus is his son. This text functions in a unique way as it shows us that Jesus is fully and truly man and at the same time fully and truly God.
The fact that Jesus is fully and truly God and fully and truly man is one of the most important doctrines in the entire New Testament. C.S. Lewis reminds us that statements by Jesus claiming to be God present us with a dilemma: Jesus must either be a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. However, even if we do have to face that question, a more troubling one should follow the careful reader of the Scriptures. If Jesus is not fully and truly God, then is God the Father a liar due to his pronouncement? It is easy to see how some of these categories of systematics tie together because you have the doctrine of the deity of Christ and the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture under fire if this declarative statement is false.
- Why is it important for leaders to affirm the deity of Christ?
- How have you seen the doctrine of Christ’s deity help church members?
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