Mark 1:10

The heavens opened.

The Divine Trinity

This was the inauguration and proclamation of the Messiahs, when He began to be the great Prophet of the New Covenant. And this was the greatest meeting that ever was upon the earth, where the whole cabinet of the mysterious Trinity was opened and shown, as much as the capacities of our present imperfections will permit; the Second Person in the veil of humanity; the Third in the shape, or with the motion, of a dove: but the First kept His primitive state; and as to the Israelites He gave notice by way of caution, “Ye saw no shape, but ye heard a voice,” so now also God the Father gave testimony to His Holy Son, and appeared only in a voice, without any visible representment. (Bishop Jeremy Taylor.)

The Spirit like a dove.

Like a dove

A most captivating symbol. The eagle, too, was in our Lord; everything about Him was mingled with the sublime; but the dove was predominant. Not only while on earth, but all along the ages, it is the power of His gentleness and tenderness and meekness-His love, in short, that has been victorious. He has “wooed” and “won”. (J. Morison, D. D.)

Dovelike properties in Christ

I. Innocent and harmless (Hebrews 7:26).

II. Loving and tender hearted (Ephesians 3:19).

III. Meek and gentle (Matthew 11:29). This is matter of singular comfort to the faithful members of Christ: for Christ being innocent and harmless like the dove, yea, pure from all spot of sin, this His purity and holiness is imputed to so many as truly believe in Him; and by it they are accepted, as holy and pure through Christ, though in themselves they are polluted and sinful. Again, Christ being also a loving, gentle, and meek Saviour, He will not deal with us in rigour or wrath; but in compassion, love, and gentleness, accepting our weak endeavours in His service, pardoning our wants and infirmities, and cherishing in us the smallest beginnings of grace (Isaiah 42:2). Strive we to imitate our Saviour Christ in these properties of the dove. (G. Petter.)

The dove temper in the Church

The Holy Spirit came as a dove, a gentle, joyous creature, with no bitterness of gall, no fierceness of bite, no violence of rending claws, loving human houses, associating within one home; nurturing their young together; when they fly abroad, hanging in their flight side by side; leading their life in mutual intercourse; giving in concord the kiss of peace with the bill; in every way fulfilling the law of unanimity. This is the singleness of heart that ought to be in the Church; this is the habit of love that must be obtained. (Cyprian.)

How to improve our baptism

To quicken you to improve your baptism consider-

I. Baptism is a perpetual bond obliging us to repentance and a holy life (Romans 6:2; Colossians 3:8).

II. The improvement of baptism is the best preparation of the Lord’s Supper (John 13:8). Before the Church, none but baptized persons have a right to the Lord’s Table; before God, none but those who have the fruit of baptism have a right to the benefit thereof.

III. If we improve it not, baptism will be a witness against us. One Elpidophorus relapsed into Arianism, and the deacon who baptized him showed him the garments in which he had been baptized, and said, “These shall be a witness against thee to all eternity.” But how shall we improve it?

1. We must personally and solemnly own the covenant made with God in infancy. What was then done for us must now be done by us.

2. Renew often the sense of obligation to God, and keep a constant reckoning of obedience (2 Peter 1:9).

3. Use frequent self-reflection to know whether you are indeed washed from the guilt and filth of sin (1 Corinthians 6:11).

4. Use it as a great help in all temptations (1 Corinthians 6:15). Dionysia comforted her son Majoricus, an African martyr, with this speech, “Remember, my son, that thou art baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and be constant.” Luther, when tempted to despair, used to say, “I am baptized, and believe in Christ crucified.” (T. Manton.)

After baptism

I. New revelations gained-“The heavens were opened.”

II. New gifts imparted-“The Spirit.”

III. New witness enjoyed-“Thou art My beloved Son.”

IV. New trial imposed-“Tempted of Satan.”

V. New triumphs secured.

VI. New privileges conferred-“And angels ministered unto Him.”

VII. New work assigned-“Preaching the gospel.”