Baptism – Part 7

1. Baptism – Part 7 Why was Jesus baptized? Since He was without sin – why was Jesus baptized? Is there another purpose – other than forgiveness of sins?

2. Matthew 3:15-17 • There are 4 reasons for Jesus to be baptized. • To obey God • To fulfill righteousness • To show submission to Father • To demonstrate the authority of John’s baptism

3. Obey God • Hebrews 5:8-9 - 8though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

4. Obey God • Galatians 3:1 - O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? • Galatians 5:7 - You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

5. Fulfill Righteousness • Matthew 3:15 - But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. • Righteousness = doing what is right, proper, or good • ISBE - the general use suggested conformity to a standard

6. Fulfill Righteousness • Thayer - the state of him who is such as he ought to be • Vine - the character or quality of being right or just • Barnes - The phrase “all righteousness,” here, is the same as a righteous institution or appointment. Jesus had no sin. But he was about to enter on his great work.

7. Fulfill Righteousness • Barnes - It was proper that he should be set apart by his forerunner, and show his connection with him, and give his approbation to what John had done. He submitted to the ordinance of baptism, also, in order that occasion might be taken, at the commencement of his work, for God publicly to declare his approbation of him, and his solemn appointment to the office of the Messiah.

8. Show Submission • All that Jesus did on earth was in submission to the Father • “Not as I will, but as You will.” • Jesus did not need “to be saved”; He was without sin • But, servants are in submission • Mark 10:45 - For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

9. Authority of John • Matthew 21:23-24 - 23Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” 24But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:

10. Authority of John • Question: Authority • They asked about miracle authority • Jesus poses a swap • I will tell you – if you tell me • Sometimes questions are asked for reasons other than seeking information

11. Authority of John • Matthew 21:25-27 - 25The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” 27So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

12. Summary • There are 4 reasons for Jesus to be baptized. • To obey God • To fulfill righteousness • To show submission to Father • To demonstrate the authority of John’s baptism