YEA Lesson Library

The Lesson

King Herod was trying to kill Jesus. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt where Jesus would be safe. They were to stay there for further instructions. So Joseph left with his family that very night. After Herod’s death, it was once again safe for Mary and Joseph to take Jesus to Nazareth. They temporarily made their home there. When Jesus came out of Egypt this was a fulfillment of a prophecy in Hosea 11:1.

Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, began preaching out in the Judean wilderness. His theme was, “turn from your sins because the Kingdom of God is coming soon." John’s ministry was prophesied in Isaiah 40:3 long before this happened. John was an unusual person who ate locusts and wild honey. He wore a leather belt around the waist of his robe that was woven from camel’s hair.

People from around Jerusalem, all around the Jordan Valley and every section of Judea went to the wilderness to hear John preach. He must have been a dynamic, convincing speaker because people confessed their sins and were baptized with water. But he told them that Jesus would come after him baptizing with the Holy Spirit.

However, not everyone who heard John was baptized. John denounced the Pharisees and Sadducees with a strong rebuke. He told them to prove that they had turned from their sins by doing worthy deeds. The Pharisees relied on who they were related to rather than a changed heart to get them into God’s Kingdom. After all, they were related to Abraham – the father of the faithful. Somehow, they thought this made them special to God. God made every single one of us and put us in our own particular family. He’s not concerned with who our relatives are. It’s what’s in our heart and what we do that count with God.

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River where John was baptizing. He wanted John to baptize Him, but John felt totally unworthy to baptize the Son of God and didn’t want to do it. Jesus explained to John that He must be baptized to fulfill all righteousness. So John consented to do the honors. Jesus didn’t need to repent. He had never sinned. Baptism is commanded of God, and Jesus set us an example by being obedient in every way. He felt it was necessary to be baptized.

Such a beautiful thing happened after John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. The heavens were opened to Him and He saw the Spirit of God coming down in the form of a dove. Then a voice from heaven said, “this is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with Him.” Why was God so pleased with Jesus? Because everything He did was in obedience to His Father.

Several questions may have come into your mind about this lesson. You may be wondering if you should be baptized. Are you old enough? What does baptism offer you? Will it really make a difference in your life? Are you going to miss out on a lot of fun if you’re baptized? What’s wrong with putting it off a little longer? Our memory verse tells us to “Repent and be baptized, every one of you.” There are no exceptions made here.

What are your rewards for being baptized, and are they worth it? You will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit is a gift that will help you each day to be the kind of person you want to be. It is a Spirit of power. You can do more and be more if you have God’s Spirit. It will eventually bring you into God’s Kingdom. This is the ultimate gift. It is the epitome of everything good. Nothing in the world and in our daily lives compares with it.

Satan wants you to put off baptism. He can make you think you’ll miss out on fun if you repent and are baptized. But the Bible says just the opposite. Continue reading in Acts 2:39, “And He pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’”

God does not promise a painless existence or unending earthly happiness. But He can save you from the hurt, the pain, and the penalties of this “corrupt generation.” There is no sin that does not carry a penalty. For example, sex outside of marriage can give you any number of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. Whether it is breaking the Sabbath, stealing or disobeying your parents, sin carries a penalty that will hurt you. By putting off repentance and baptism, you are only delaying a meaningful relationship with Christ. Real happiness will never come apart from obedience to Jesus Christ.

Then what do you have to do before you are baptized? Remember, we’re told in Acts to repent. Repentance is a change of heart and a change of behavior. Ask God to forgive yours sins and to cleanse your heart with His Holy Spirit. Then talk with a minister about being baptized.