Mat 3:17 | PNT | STEP | A voice from heaven . Three times God speaks from heaven in connection with the ministry of Christ--at his baptism ( ), his transfiguration ( ), and in the temple just before his suffering ( ). This is my beloved Son . The very words addressed to the Messiah in ; and from which the "Son of God" became one of his standing appellations. Thus the baptism of Christ was the occasion of his public recognition. No reader should fail to observe the significance of the "time" chosen by God for the acknowledgment of the Son. It is just after he has humbled himself in an act of obedience, in baptism, that the Holy Spirit anoints him as the Christ, and God formally acknowledges him as his Son. No more forcible expression of the estimate set by God on this institution could be given. This example and the New Testament harmonizes in teaching (1) That we must be baptized if we would follow Christ. (2) That it is when we repent and are baptized that we receive the Holy Spirit ( ). (3) That when we have obeyed the Lord he will recognize us as his children.

Matthew 3:17

A voice from heaven. Three times God speaks from heaven in connection with the ministry of Christ--at his baptism (Mt 3:17 Mr 1:11 Lu 3:22), his transfiguration (Mt 17:5 Mr 9:7 Lu 9:35), and in the temple just before his suffering (Joh 12:28).

This is my beloved Son. The very words addressed to the Messiah in Ps 2:7; and from which the "Son of God" became one of his standing appellations. Thus the baptism of Christ was the occasion of his public recognition. No reader should fail to observe the significance of the "time" chosen by God for the acknowledgment of the Son. It is just after he has humbled himself in an act of obedience, in baptism, that the Holy Spirit anoints him as the Christ, and God formally acknowledges him as his Son. No more forcible expression of the estimate set by God on this institution could be given. This example and the New Testament harmonizes in teaching (1) That we must be baptized if we would follow Christ. (2) That it is when we repent and are baptized that we receive the Holy Spirit (Ac 2:38). (3) That when we have obeyed the Lord he will recognize us as his children.