SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS' BAPTISM

SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS' BAPTISM

Why Jesus was baptized has always been a concern for believers because John's baptism was a baptism of repentance (cf. Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 13:24). Jesus did not need forgiveness for He was sinless (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 John 3:5).

The theories have been:

it was an example for believers to follow (cf. Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38)
it was His identification with believers' need
it was His ordination and equipping for ministry
it was a symbol of His redemptive task
it was His approval of the ministry and message of John the Baptist
it was a prophetic foreshadowing of His death, burial, and resurrection (cf. Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12)

Whatever the reason, this was a defining moment in Jesus' life.

Just a brief theological aside. Modern believers ask, "Must I be baptized to be saved?" If Jesus did it and commanded believers to do it (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:37-39), why would any believer not be obedient?!

SPECIAL TOPIC: BAPTISM

SPECIAL TOPIC: BAPTISMAL REGENERATION