Vince Baker Ministries
An illustration of John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan

Jesus & the Spirit

What mantle did Jesus walk in?

The Gospels describe Jesus as anointed by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit descends at his baptism, and Jesus announces his Spirit-anointed mission in Luke 4:18–19. The book uses “mantle” as an interpretive lens for this empowerment.

A Bible study from Vince Baker Ministries, informed by Mantle of Elijah by Vince Baker and Sergie Atams.

Read the Scriptures

Begin with the words Jesus chose

At Nazareth Jesus reads Isaiah’s description of good news, liberty, and the Lord’s favor and says the Scripture is fulfilled in their hearing. Acts 10 later describes how God anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost and with power and how Jesus went about doing good. Read the two accounts together to see what the anointing accomplishes in the lives of people.

The Jordan connection in the book

Baker and Atams compare the succession of Elijah and Elisha at the Jordan with the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. The Gospel accounts identify John as the baptizer and the Spirit as descending on Jesus. The comparison between the two Jordan scenes is the authors’ reading across the passages. Scripture leaves the exact relationship between their locations open.

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Scripture & answers

Questions readers ask

Did Jesus receive Elijah’s physical cloak?

The baptism accounts describe the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus. The book compares the scenes thematically.

Where can I read the Bible passages for this study?

Start with Matthew 3:13–17. The Scripture links above open the King James Version.

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