Lesson 2 Student Choice

Choice 1: Review Matthew 3:13-17 and the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 3:16, "What Is the Significance of the Holy Ghost Descending 'like a Dove'?" (pg. 28-29). Then write answers to the following questions:

1. Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus?
John was hesitant to baptize Jesus because he felt unworthy to baptize the Son of God.  John felt that Christ should be the one baptizing him.

2. What is taught here about the Holy Ghost?
I found it interesting in the reading in the manual that the Holy Ghost did not take the form of a dove, but in the form of a "personage" and that his descent was "like a dove".  It is worth noting that the Holy Ghost came after Christ's baptism.  Christ was first baptized with water, then with fire just as we are.

3. Jesus Christ said He must be baptized to "fulfill all righteousness." List three reasons why Jesus Christ was baptized (see 2 Nephi 31:6-11).
Christ was baptized to show us an example of what we should do.
He was baptized to show submission to the Father. Christ did not need to be baptized for a remission of sins because He is perfect and without sin, but He did need to follow the commandments of the Father and baptism is one of those commandments.
In John 3:5 it says, "except a man be born of water . . . he cannot enter into the kingdom of god." Christ had to fulfill the commandment to be baptized so that He could return to Father.

4. What evidence is found in Matthew 3:16-17 that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personages in the Godhead?
When Christ is baptized the Holy Ghost descends and "lighted" upon Jesus and the Father is heard from the heavens saying, "This is my Beloved Son.." All three members of the Godhead are present and making themselves known to the people who witnessed the baptism of Christ.