The New Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Student Workbook, SW13

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T H E N E W T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

5. After this miracle, Jesus spent some time in Capernaum, a significant place and center of his future ministry, John 2.12.

Conclusion

» John the Baptist was God’s chosen forerunner to announce Messiah’s ministry. » Jesus’ Messianic identity was demonstrated through his baptism by John, and his temptation by the devil in the wilderness. » Jesus of Nazareth began his public ministry as Messiah by gathering some early disciples, and announcing his Messiahship at his hometown synagogue in Nazareth and through his first miracle at Cana. The following questions were designed to help you review the material in the second video segment. These events associated with the early Messianic announcement of Jesus are pivotal in understanding Jesus’ unique ministry in Israel. Be clear and concise in your answers, and where possible, support with Scripture! 1. How does the Old Testament depict the coming of the forerunner of Messiah in its prophetic descriptions and predictions? 2. How and where did Jesus acknowledge that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of these Old Testament references regarding the one who would “prepare the way of the Lord”? 3. What was striking about the manner and appearance of John, and how does the New Testament describe precisely his relationship to Jesus? 4. What occurred at the baptism of Jesus that gives evidence that indeed Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah of God?

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Student Questions and Response

5. If Jesus did not commit sin, then why was he baptized at all?

6. What do we learn about the relationship of Jesus to Satan in the temptation in the wilderness? Could Jesus have actually given in to the devil’s temptations, and committed sin against God, either in the wilderness or at any other time of his life? Explain.