The Story of Jesus' Baptism | Bible Stories for Kids

Introduction

[Music] laugh and girl [Music] [Laughter]

Bible John Baptizes Jesus

A few months before Jesus was born, another baby boy was born. This little boy was a relative of Jesus and would grow up to be a very important person in Israel. His name was John, and some people called him John the Baptist. Why did they call him that? Because John baptized people. Baptized means that he dunked people in water like a river or a stream as a sign they were leaving their old life and starting a new life with God, indicating they were joining God's family. This practice continues today as a way to tell others you have decided to follow Jesus.

John's Unique Lifestyle

John was a bit unusual in the eyes of many. He didn't dress like everyone else; instead of wearing soft clothes made from fine wool and cotton, John made his clothes from itchy camel hair. His diet was also peculiar; rather than eating the usual foods, John ate only honey and bugs. Moreover, he didn't live in cities like most people but chose to reside out in the wilderness all by himself. This solitude helped John spend time with God, which was important because God had a mission for him.

John's Mission

God gave John an important message to share with everyone: "You all need to stop turning away from God because his kingdom is coming." John kept preaching about the kingdom of God, and as time passed, more people went to hear his message. The people were amazed and wondered if John was a new prophet or perhaps the Messiah they had been waiting for. John clarified that he was not the Messiah but proclaimed that the Messiah was coming. He stated that he wasn't worthy even to touch the shoes of the coming Messiah, who would baptize by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' Baptism

By this time, Jesus was around 30 years old. One day, Jesus came to John and asked John to baptize him. John was initially hesitant, feeling that Jesus should baptize him instead, but Jesus insisted that it was right for John to baptize him. So, John baptized Jesus in the river. When Jesus came up out of the water, something remarkable happened. First, something that looked like a dove descended and landed on Jesus, which was the Spirit of God. Then, a voice from the sky said, "This is my son whom I love very much. I am very happy with him." It was the voice of God.

The Aftermath

People couldn't believe what they had seen and heard. They started to question if Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for. Though no one knew for sure, they went home that day very excited about the possibility that Jesus was the promised blessing.

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Keyword

• John the Baptist
• Baptism
• Jesus
• Wilderness
• Kingdom of God
• Messiah
• Holy Spirit
• Voice of God

FAQ

Q: Why is John called John the Baptist? A: John is called John the Baptist because he baptized people as a sign they were leaving their old life and starting a new life with God.

Q: What made John's lifestyle unique? A: John made his clothes from camel hair, ate honey and bugs, and lived alone in the wilderness, which helped him spend time with God.

Q: What was John's mission? A: John's mission was to preach about the kingdom of God and to tell people to stop turning away from God because His kingdom was coming.

Q: How did people react to John's message? A: People were amazed and wondered if John was a prophet or the Messiah, but John clarified that he was not the Messiah.

Q: What happened when Jesus was baptized by John? A: When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit of God descended on him like a dove, and a voice from Heaven, which was the voice of God, declared Jesus as His beloved son.

Q: Did people believe Jesus was the Messiah after his baptism? A: People were very excited and began to wonder if Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah, although no one knew for sure at that time.