?????

11) Circumcision of Jesus - Luke 2:21

12) Jesus presented in the Temple - Luke 2:22-24

13) Simeon see's God's salvation - Luke 2:25-35

14) Anna bears witness to the redeemer - Luke 2:36-38

15)The Return to Nazareth - Luke 2:39-40 -

a) Luke 2:39 - The Laws Fulfilled - Mary and Joseph seems to have stayed in Nazareth some extra days in Nazareth so that they may

obey the Jewish Laws and have Jesus circumcised on the 8th day after his birth as required by Jewish law (Genesis 17:9-14).  And they also dedicated Jesus Christ as well at the Temple to God, which is the custom of the Jews.

b) Luke 2:40 - Grace of God Upon Jesus Christ - As Jesus Christ was growing through his infancy, then toddler, then elementary

and teen age years, he has grown in wisdom since he was Born via Holy Spirit, he was strong in the Spirit with wisdom, and of

course Gods Favor.

16) The boy Jesus amazes the Scholars - 2:41-50

17) Jesus advances in wisdom & favor - Luke 2:51-52

18) John the Baptist prepares the way - Luke 3:1-6 - (Matthew 3:1-6; Mark 1:2-6 - John 1:19-23) - To Top^

a) Luke 3:1-2a - Time Line of John the Baptist - One thing I like about Luke is he provides more evidence of the scriptures, of John the

Baptist and of Jesus Christ.  In these verses Luke provides time line proof from the non-Christian side, rulers, and regions at the time of John and the start up of Jesus Christ Ministry.  This history can be researched through secular resources as well as Christian resources, to provide historical evidence from both the believer and the non-believer side of things.

b) Luke 3:2b-3 - John preached a Baptism of Repentance - Now when John who is the son of Zacharias which was a Priest of the division

of Abijah was in the wilderness waiting upon the Lord. And the word of the Lord, a command to John to go and preach repentance to the nation of Israel in order to prepare them for the coming of Jesus Christ and his ministry.  Now this Baptism of repentance, change of heart, mind, and submersion in water as a symbolic symbol of true repentance is required.

Water Baptism represents (is symbolic, i.e. Purification) for the washing away of sins. Yes Water Baptism is required as part of salvation.  As it is written; Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

DEFINITION of Baptism From Interlinear Bible, Greek - NT:907 bapti/zw
baptizo (bap-tid'-zo); from a derivative of NT:911; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N. T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:

Baptism by water submersion is also a expression in Faith as The Bible Exposition Commentary (NT) puts it as it is said; Matthew 28:19-20 A disciple, then, is one who has believed on Jesus Christ and expressed this faith by being baptized. He remains in the fellowship of the believers that he might be taught the truths of the faith (Acts 2:41-47). He is then able to go out and win others and teach them. This was the pattern of the New Testament church (2 Timothy 2:1-2).

c) Luke :3:4-5 - Hearts shall be ready for Jesus Christ - John himself has come to prepare the people, their hearts and minds for the

coming of the promised Messiah Jesus Christ, so that Jesus paths are smooth, that is the people ready to hear with their hearts

and minds his message, the good news of his Kingdom, the readiness of salvation for those who will believe on him and obey him.  Another Prophecy fulfilled concerning the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.  (John Prepares the Way Isa 40:3 & Mal 3:1)

19) John preaches to the people - Luke 3:7-20 - (Matthew 3:7-12; Mark 1:7,8; John 1:24-28) - To Top^

a) Luke 3:7 - The Jewish Peoples Misconception - John here called the Jewish people "Brood of Vipers" because they thinking that since

Abraham is their ancestor that they are just fine with God and pleasing to him when in reality they are far from being fine with God because of their unbelief, their hearts being calloused and far from God.

b) Luke 3:8 - Evidence is required from the Jews - John tells the Jewish people that they are to Bear Fruit, that is show evidence of their

repentance in their hearts, minds and behaviors to which most of them usually don't show any evidence, they do not practice what they say they believer or what they preach.  John reminds them that God can raise up children to Abraham from stones, to which he did through Jesus Christ, to which are Born Again Christian Gentile and Jew both.

c) Luke 3:9 - God is ready to cut them off - As John says the Axe is at the root of the tree, meaning God is ready to cut them off if they do

not bear good fruit, that is show evidence in their hearts, minds and behaviors of true repentance, meaning so not practice sin any longer. If they do practice sin and not bear true repentance, they will be no more, that is part of God, part of his glorious Kingdom, they will not be saved!  They must love God, their neighbor and their enemy.

d) Luke 3:10-14 - Love a Requirement to be Saved - In these meanings of Johns answers to the people is to practice and show love in their

hearts, minds and actions.  Help those in need, be honest, be moral and have principles according to Gods Holy words, not by mankind's traditions or rules. We are to care about others, and not turn our face to them, we are to deal with people honestly and do not cheat nor over charge anyone. We are to not be greedy but be content with our wages, we are not to intimidate anyone nor are we to falsely accuse anyone, so we must also reserve our opinions, our judgment of others and their character.

e) Luke 3:15 - Was John the Christ? - The Jewish people was wondering if John himself was the Christ, that is the anointed one, the

promised Messiah or wasn't he.  Of course we now know that John was not the Christ without any doubt.

f) Luke 3:16 - Baptism of the Holy Spirit - John states here that he baptizes with water, for purification of sins, and Jesus baptizes with the

Holy Spirit to which also is for purification of sins, from the hearts and minds of people to which now makes me wonder if water baptism is required as part of our salvation  or not since the baptism of the Holy Spirit that we receive from Jesus Christ for the same purposes is required or not.

g) Luke 3:17 - Jesus is ready to Clean House - Jesus Christ is getting ready to clean up the OT church and replace it with the NT church, in

doing so he will be bringing the true believers, those who have true Faith in him Christian Jew and Christian Gentile into his Kingdom into heavens eternal dwellings with him through his blood, through our FAITH in him.

h) Luke 3:18 - John Urges the People - John continues on to urge the people to repent, to warn the people of their sins, and wicked ways, to

prepare for the coming of the promised Messiah, and if they do not take heed to the warnings, Jesus will separate them from the wheat and toss them into the lake of fire to be burned up, to be destroyed.

i) MSN Works 9 Dictionary Exhort, Or Exhortations - ex·hor·ta·tion ex·hor·ta·tion [èg zawr táysh'n] (plural ex·hor·ta·tions)

 n (formal) 
1. something intended to urge or persuade: something said or written in order to urge somebody strongly to do something 
2. giving of advice: the giving of earnest advice or encouragement

j) Luke 3:19-20 - John Placed in Prison - John who has preached against the Kings evils in having his brothers wife and many other evils

that the King did, has placed John in prison as according to other scripture because of Herodias hatred of what John has preached to them, his rebuke of their evils.

20) John baptizes Jesus - Luke 3:21-22 - (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; John 1:29-34) - To Top^

a) Luke 3:21 - The Heavens Opened - Jesus Christ our Lord waited for all of the people to be baptized in water before he stepped

forward to be baptized as well.   It seems here the reason Jesus waited is because the people "NEEDED" to repent and be baptized when he himself had no sin to repent of and in this also Jesus wouldn't appear to be one of the crowd, possibly to help John much better in reconignizing Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah.  Jesus was then baptized and then Jesus prayed, then the Heavens of Gods Great Glory opened up to our Savior.

b) Luke 3:22 - God Pleased with His Son - The Holy Spirit came down to Jesus Christ in a bodly form. something "like" a dove, not meaning it was a dove, but similar to a dove.  Jesus was immersed in water when John the Baptist, Baptized Jesus, and when that took place, and Jesus got Baptized, the complete power of God came to our Lord Jesus Christ and then God said : "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased".  Here God seems to be pleased with his son Jesus Christ because Jesus did not give into the ways of the world, he did not sin, and is right on the path of Gods will and Plans.