The Baptism of Jesus

By

Shelby G. Floyd

February 26, 2006

Christ left us an example that we should follow his steps. (1 Peter 2:21). His steps definitely led to the Jordan River where he was baptized by John the Baptist. (Matthew 3:13-17). He traveled about 75 miles from Nazareth to Jordan to fulfill all righteousness. John baptized “for the remission of sins.” (Mark 1:4). Jesus was the exception, since he had no sin.

John’s Baptism Was God’s Will

Those John baptized respected God’s will, while those who rejected his baptism also rejected the counsel of God. (Luke 7:29-30). Jesus came to do God’s will and not his own will. (John 5:30; Heb. 10:9). Hence, Jesus was baptized by John. Jesus sided with those who respect and obey God’s will, rather than those who reject God’s will. So should every person do likewise!

The Gospel Is God’s Plan to Make Men Righteous

God’s plan for making men righteous is found in the gospel. (Romans 1:16-17). Christ commanded the gospel to be preached to the whole world. Baptism is also part of that command. (Mark 16:15-16).

When Christ was baptized, God publicly endorsed him as his unique son and commended him to the people as being well pleasing in his sight. He further endorsed him by sending the Holy Spirit upon him in the form of a dove. (Matthew 3:16-17). When John saw and heard these wonderful events, he realized that Jesus was the Christ the Son of God, and publicly presented him to Israel as their Savior. (John 1:32-34).

Faith and Baptism Put Us into God’s Family

Today, God does not acknowledge any person as his spiritual child who has not by faith been baptized into his spiritual family—the church. To the Galatians, Paul declared, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27). The Galatians were children of God by their faith. The reason they were children of God by faith was because their faith led them to be baptized into Christ.