Summary: Jesus' Ministry & John the Baptist

Jesus' Early Ministry

  • John the Baptist as forerunner to Jesus; known as the Baptizer.

The Ministry of John the Baptist

  • Purpose: Prepare the way for the Messiah; Explain the nature of the Messiah’s work; Inaugurate the Messiah’s ministry by baptizing Him.

  • Key reference: Matthew 3:1−12Matthew\ 3:1-12

The Gospel According to Matthew

  • Author and focus: Gospel of Matthew (Matthew) on presenting Jesus as the Messiah.

The Baptism of Jesus

  • Marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.

  • Purposes: to fulfill all righteousness\text{to fulfill all righteousness}; to set an example\text{to set an example}

  • Also presents evidence of the Trinitarian nature of God.

Reasons for Christian Baptism

  • To obey the Lord.

  • To follow the Lord’s example.

  • To bear testimony of new life in Jesus.

The Temptation of Jesus

  • Three temptations: Matthew 4:1−11Matthew\ 4:1-11

    • At the point of physical hunger.

    • To test His faith.

    • To test His loyalty.

  • Jesus overcame temptation by quoting scripture.

John’s Witness to Jesus

  • John pointed his own disciples to Jesus, calling Him "The Lamb of God".

  • Jesus’ first disciples were initially followers of John: Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip, Nathanael (Bartholomew).

The First Sign

  • Location: John 2:1−11John\ 2:1-11, the Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee.

  • Jesus turned water into wine.

  • Purpose: that His disciples would believe in Him.

Jesus & Nicodemus

  • Source: John 3John\ 3.

  • A late-night interview; Nicodemus was a Pharisee.

  • Central message: a new birth is necessary.

Jesus & the Woman at the Well

  • Source: John 4John\ 4.

  • A divine appointment.

  • Jesus overcame three barriers: Racial Barrier\text{Racial Barrier} , Gender Barrier\text{Gender Barrier}, Moral Barrier\text{Moral Barrier}.