The Birth of John the Baptist, Luke 1:5-80

Read Luke 1:14 and write what Zacharias was told about the birth of his son, John the Baptist. Study Luke 1:5-25, 39-45, 56-80, and the Bible Dictionary entry, "John the Baptist" (pp. 714-15). Write a paragraph summarizing the reasons many people would rejoice over John the Baptist's birth and mission.

• Luke 1:14-15 "And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb."




• There are many reasons why people rejoiced over the birth of John the Baptist. Some of these reasons are:

1. He was a miracle because his mother was of old age and never able to bear a child.


2. Zacharias' tongue was loosed when he was born.


3. He was born to prepare the way for the Savior and to make ready the people to receive him.


4. He was the bearer of the Aaronic Priesthood.


5. Jesus said of John, "There is none who was greater." (Matt. 11:7-11)


6. He was entrusted with the mission of baptizing the Savior of the world.

John the Baptist was never able to perform miracles as Jesus did, but he allowed Jesus to do these things by preparing the way for Him. John the Baptist did so much for the Savior of the world, and I'm grateful that I am able to read of him in the scriptures and to feel of his spirit and of his faith.

Matthew 3:13-17

Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus?
John was hesitant to baptize Jesus because John knew that he needed to be baptized by Jesus, but he didn't think that Jesus would need to be baptized because He was the Savior, and completely perfect. John wanted to be cleansed of his own sins, and be able to be born again. He didn't know that Jesus would be baptized himself to be an example for everyone else.

What is taught here about the Holy Ghost?
In verse 16 it says, "...and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him." From this verse we learn that a dove is the sign of the Holy Ghost, but that it is not the Holy Ghost himself. The Holy Ghost descended from heaven as his own personage.


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).
Jesus Christ was baptized because:

1. He was obedient to God in keeping His commandments.


2. To set an example for us. We look to Christ as the perfect example, and we try to emulate His life through our own. So he needed to be baptized in order for us to follow in his footsteps.


3. When we ourselves are baptized, we need to be baptized in Christ's name.

What evidence is found in Matthew 3:16-17 that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personages in the Godhead?
The voice from heaven was from God, Jesus Christ was being baptized by John, and the Holy Ghost descended from heaven.