Jordan was His Annunciation

Both Luke and John say that the purpose of the Spirit alighting on Jesus at Jordan was not for His sake but for ours. “And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest, therefore I am come baptising with water.” (John1:31). The Father did three things to identify that Jesus was the Messiah to take away our sins:

1. He spoke from heaven, “This is My beloved Son.” (Luke 3:22).

2. He gave the vision of His Spirit alighting as a dove, to show that it is Jesus who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.

3. He sent John the Baptist to testify, saying to John ahead of time, “Him whom you see the Spirit ascending on as a dove, this is He. I sent you to bear witness of this to the world.” (John 1:31-34). This was the sign that the Father gave John.

So the purpose of the water baptism was not to empower Him who is eternal power, but it was for our sake: it was His manifestation to the world. “Behold the Lamb of God…” (John 1:29). That is what the text states. There is no mention, not even a hint, in the text that Jesus’ example is paradigmatic of a second experience for New Covenant believers.

When the Father said “This is My Son…” it was not for Him but for us. Jesus did not need reassurance. When He prayed for Lazarus He said, “I pray not for Myself, for You always hear Me, but for those who stand by…” (John 11:42). The purpose of Jesus’ baptism was so we could identify the one that the prophets said would come.

Pentecostalism is often similar to Nestorianism. It tends at times to see Jesus as a man needing help, not as God. This is a misconception of the Incarnation. Pentecostalism so builds up its Pneumatology (doctrine of the Spirit) that it’s Christology is left in tatters.

The Reformed position on Pneumatology is Christological. There is no separation. That is, the “Spirit proceeds from the Son.” (Nicene Creed). Jesus does not need to be baptized in the Spirit. Likewise, “He who has the Son has life.” (1 John 5:12). We receive Son and Sprit together.