Sharing Time Baptism Reader's Theatre - Jesus Christ was Baptized. (Week 2 May 2009)

Some tips on reader's theatre can be found here . PLEASE READ THE TIPS. A rule that I followed very carefully when writing was - "God the Father, the Savior, and the Holy Ghost should not be portrayed by children. The only exception would be for children to portray Jesus in a nativity scene." (See Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 279.) I do not have anyone representing or playing the part of Christ. Our Savior is quoted though by narrators and scripture references are given as I find His words extremely important to share.

* See HERE for an adaptation of this for Junior Primary.

As Clear as Water, I know Jesus Christ was Baptized.
By Sofia Lykes

Speaking Parts:

Narrator 1

Nephi

Missionary
Narrator 2

Joseph Smith

John the Baptist
Narrator 3

Paul
Narrator 4

Nicodemus

Non Speaking Parts:
Special Helpers #1, #2, #3, #4

(Have narrators roll up their pants and dip toes in the river, perhaps a blue sheet with a couple plants around. On the other side have the different prophets, etc. When the prophets speak, have them step forward or perhaps you can have chairs for them to sit in then stand when it's their turn. Have the special helpers sit back in the primary when done. If you find there are too many people up front, just have the narrators. Other parts can come up when it's their turn. Gage your primary! Direct as you see fit!)

Special Helper #1 holds up picture of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus.

Narrator 4: Reading from the Bible Matthew 3:13-17 “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Narrator 1: We have all come to church today to learn about Jesus Christ and be closer to Him.

Narrator 2: If Jesus was standing right outside that door, that one right there, wouldn’t we want to open it and walk through! To see Him, to feel the prints of the nails in His hands? To hug Him? To ask Him our questions and thank Him for all He has given us?

Narrator 3: Could Jesus really be outside that door? gestures to door

Narrator 2: He could. Anything is possible with God. Nephi said there is another door, or rather a gate, that if we enter we will surely find Him.

Nephi: Reading his scriptures “Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Nephi 31:17

Narrator 1: Nephi was a witness and actually saw Jesus Christ baptized. I wonder what other prophets received visions and revelations about the immersion of Christ by John the Baptist.

Narrator 3: Woah. What is immersion? I thought we were talking about Baptism.

Narrator 2: Our prophet Joseph Smith can help us out with that one!

Joseph Smith: “The word baptize is derived from the Greek verb ‘baptiso’, and means to immerse or overwhelm.”[1] “Baptism cannot be by any other means than immersion of the entire body in water, for the following reason…It is in the similitude of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ…”[2]

Narrator 3: Let’s see what Baptism by immersion would look like.

Special Helper #1 and #2 hold up a blue sheet. Special Helper #3 goes completely down behind the blue sheet, stands up and rings out hair. Special Helper #4 (A boy) stands behind the blue sheet and pats the back of Special Helper #3 after he/she stands up.

Narrator 1: Just like Joseph Smith, the apostle Paul from New Testament times has said…

Paul: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

Narrator 3: Woah. That’s kind of deep. What do you think Paul means? I think the key words are newness of life! (See if anyone in the Primary can explain this scripture, Paul may need to repeat what he has said)

Narrator 4: I know a great story found in the Book of John, chapter 3. There once was a man named Nicodemus who was a ruler of the Jews. It was night time and Nicodemus came to Jesus and said….

Special Helper #2 holds a picture of Christ

Nicodemus: Standing by a picture of Christ but not speaking to it, speaking to the audience/primary "Rabbi"

Narrator 4: Which meant Master or Teacher.

Nicodemus: “We know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” John 3:2

Narrator 4: Jesus answered and said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Nicodemus: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” John 3:4

Narrator 4: Silly Nicodemus! He was supposed to be a teacher and ruler to the Jews and yet He had no clue what Jesus was talking about!

Missionary: As a missionary one of my favorite scriptures is what Jesus told Nicodemus, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:5-7

Narrator 2: So when we follow the example of Jesus and are baptized it’s like we are starting a new life. A life where we try our hardest to keep the commandments, repent and endure to the end!

Missionary: I see a lot of people change when they learn about Jesus Christ and are baptized. Because Jesus Christ was baptized, we need to be baptized. Another powerful witness to add is that of John the Baptist. Listen to what he said before he was sent to prison and eventually beheaded.

Narrator 3: Woah. That’s really sad.

Missionary: I know. Jesus said in Matthew 11:11, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.” We can see why. motions hands to John

John the Baptist: With passion and zeal “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” John 3:27-36

All: We know that Jesus Christ was baptized. We will follow His example always!!

Narrator 1: In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Footnotes

[1] Smith, Teachings, 262

[2] Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:323-24