John the Baptist, Baptism, Holy Ghost

New Testament Student Choice Assignment Week 2]

Review Matthew 3:13-17 and the institute manual commentary for Matthew 3:16. “What is the Significance of the Holy Ghost Descending like a dove? Ph 28-29.

In the New Testament Manual it states, “Then the Prophet gives this explanation: ‘The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence.” (Smith, Teachings,pp. 275–76. Italics added.) It thus appears that John witnessed the sign of the dove, that he saw the Holy Ghost descend in the ‘bodily shape’ of the personage that he is, and that the descent was ‘like a dove.’” 

Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus?

John was hesitant to baptize Jesus because he felt inadequate to perform such an act. He thought that Jesus should be the one baptizing him.

What is taught here about the Holy Ghost?
I learned in these scriptures that the Holy Ghost was at the baptism  of Jesus Christ as a witness of the administration

Jesus Christ said He must be baptized to “fulfill all righteouness. List three reasons why he was baptized. 2 Nephi 31:6-11

-He fulfilled all righteouness
-obedience to Heavenly Father commandments
-to be an example
-to show the straightness of the gate and narrowness of the way

What evidence is found in Matthew 3:16-17 that the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost are three separate personages in the Godhead?
-In these scriptures Jesus said he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and then he heard a void from heaven which said, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." These scriptures demonstrate that they are three separate distinct beings.