Jesus Christ being baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. Christ has been immersed and is ascending out of the water.
Jesus Christ came to John the Baptist to be baptized by him. This lesson can help you understand and explain the importance of baptism in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The importance of baptism
Think of the people you love who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Imagine that one of them were meeting with the missionaries. How would you feel? Imagine that the missionaries asked you to explain the importance of being baptized. Think about what you might say that could help your loved one take this essential step.
On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = not prepared; 10 = extremely prepared), how prepared would you feel to explain the importance of baptism in a way that could help someone you love want to be baptized?
What might you want to know more about baptism to feel better prepared to explain its importance?
In today’s lesson, you will have the opportunity to study the doctrine of baptism and address different questions on the topic. You will also have the chance to practice explaining what you learn.
Jesus Christ was baptized to show us the way
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Map 11 - The Holy Land in New Testament Times
Jesus traveled from Galilee to Bethabara, likely on foot, to be baptized by John the Baptist (see Matthew 3:13; John 1:28; 1 Nephi 10:9). John held the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood and was baptizing people in the Jordan River (see Guide to the Scriptures, “John the Baptist,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Using one of the scales on the map, estimate the distance the Savior traveled.
What might the Savior’s effort to be baptized by John teach you about Him and baptism?
Read Matthew 3:13–17, and imagine being present at the Savior’s baptism. Look for important details about the Savior and baptism that you would want to remember. The word “suffer” in verse 15 means “to permit or allow.” You may also want to watch the video “The Baptism of Jesus” (2:54), available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and follow along in your scriptures.
1. Answer the following questions in your study journal:
If you were present at the Savior’s baptism, what would you want to remember from the experience?
What do you think you would have learned about the Savior and baptism?
Think about what you might share with your friend or family member about Jesus Christ’s baptism that may help him or her.
It may also be useful to consider what questions your friend or family member might have about baptism. Some of their questions may be answered in Matthew 3. In addition, the Book of Mormon is an inspired resource that clarifies many truths about baptism. The following questions are examples of questions that someone who does not understand the importance of baptism might have. Select one question that you think your friend or family member might have. Then study the associated verses in the Book of Mormon and see how they may help you answer that question.
Why would I want to be baptized? What blessings would I receive? (See 2 Nephi 31:12–13, 17–18.)
Jesus went to John the Baptist to be baptized. Who could baptize me? (See 3 Nephi 11:19–22.)
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River and came up out of the water. Do I have to go completely under the water, or is there another way to be baptized? (See 2 Nephi 31:13; 3 Nephi 11:23–26.)
If I’m baptized to be cleansed from sin, why was Jesus baptized? Wasn’t He sinless? (See 2 Nephi 31:5–11.)
2. Write your answer to the following prompt in your study journal.
Using what you have learned from Matthew 3:13–17 and the Book of Mormon, write how you would explain the importance of baptism to your family member or friend.
If you feel inspired, consider sharing your explanation with a friend or family member who has not been baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sharing with someone who has already been baptized could also be a worthwhile activity.
Optional: Want to Learn More?
Matthew 3:13. Why did Jesus go to John for baptism?
Joseph Smith explained the authority that rested with John the Baptist when he said:
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Half-length frontal portrait of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. Joseph’s head is turned to the side in a three-quarter view, right hand on hip and his left hand holds sheets of papers. He is depicted wearing a dark brown suit and a white shirt and tie.
John, at that time, was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power. The Jews had to obey his instructions or be damned, by their own law. … The son of Zacharias wrested the keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory from the Jews, by the holy anointing and decree of heaven.
The Savior taught about the essential nature of baptism when He told Nicodemus that it was required for entrance to the kingdom of God (see John 3:5). The Prophet Joseph Smith also taught that baptism was crucial to salvation:
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Half-length frontal portrait of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. Joseph’s head is turned to the side in a three-quarter view, right hand on hip and his left hand holds sheets of papers. He is depicted wearing a dark brown suit and a white shirt and tie.
Repent of all your sins, and be baptized in water for the remission of them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and receive the ordinance of the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power, that ye may receive the Holy Spirit of God; and this is according to the Holy Scriptures, and the Book of Mormon; and the only way that man can enter into the celestial kingdom.
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 154)
How can the Book of Mormon clarify the doctrine of baptism taught in the Bible?
Elder Tad R. Callister of the Presidency of the Seventy taught:
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Brother Tad R. Callister, Sunday school General President. Official Portrait 2018.
Again and again the Book of Mormon acts as a confirming, clarifying, unifying witness of the doctrines taught in the Bible so that there is only “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” …
There exist various modes of baptisms in the world today even though the Bible tells us the manner in which the Savior, our great Exemplar, was baptized: “[He] went up straightway out of the water” (Matthew 3:16). Could He have come up out of the water unless He first went down into the water? Lest there be any discord on this subject, the Book of Mormon dispels it with this straightforward statement of doctrine as to the proper manner of baptism: “And then shall ye immerse them in the water” (3 Nephi 11:26).
