| Jesus' Baptism |
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| John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin, was baptizing people in the Jordan River. John spoke these words as people gathered to be baptized, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." These crowds asked, "What should we do?" John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with those who have none, and those who have food should do the same. Tax collectors should not collect more than they are required to and soldiers shouldn't extort money and accuse people falsely." These crowds wondered if John was the Messiah. John said to them, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come. I am not worthy enough to untie his sandles. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." John continued to preach the good news to them. While the people were waiting to be baptized, Jesus was baptized also. As he was praying, the sky opened and the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove. Then a voice from Heaven said, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." |