Baptism

The Passage

Mat 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23[1]

It came to pass in those days when all the people were baptized, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  14 And John [tried to] prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" 

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.

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice [came] from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.""

Now Jesus Himself began [His ministry at] about thirty years of age...

A Little Background

Holiness is the attribute of God that literally sets Him apart from all else.  From holiness comes purity.  Hebrews 12:14 tells us that without holiness no one can see the Lord.  After the Jews returned to Israel in 537 B.C., they began to rebuild the temple.  From that time to 70 A.D. is known as the Intertestimental Period or to Jews, Second Temple Judaism.  The Jews had returned to their land (under foreign occupation) with a renewed fervor to follow Torah.  Ritual cleansing was required in the Torah for priests before they began tabernacle or temple service. Other laws also required cleansing such as after a dead body was touched or when a person was healed of leprosy.  Although the term “baptism” is not found in the Old Testament, cleansing was very important when Jews came to Jerusalem to worship.[2]  They added the practice of washing to prepare themselves for worship. 

Pools (mikveh) can be seen outside the old city walls of Jerusalem today.  Jesus may have washed in these before going into Temple.  Even though mikveh was not required by Torah, there was no doubt the need to be cleansed from the dust of travel and daily life—don’t we take daily showers?  Such a practice was not legalistic in and of itself; it was practical.  If this was a practice during Jesus’ day that was added by the Jews, we don’t have any record of Jesus denouncing it.  Therefore, it is reasonable to think that the practical application of bathing before going into the Temple was an acceptable practice even though it was not Torah law.  John’s baptism was not the same as mikveh, but it would not have been an unusual expectation to demonstrate repentance. 

Some Explanation

When Jesus came to John, he recognized that Jesus had no need of baptism.  John protested, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”  But Jesus answered that it was necessary to “fulfill all righteousness”.  What did He mean by this if baptism was not required by the Torah?  John was filled with the Holy Spirit from His mother’s womb.  Luke 3: says that when the word of God came to John he began preaching repentance from sin and baptizing in the wilderness.  God sent John to prepare the people for the coming of the Anointed One, the Lord Jesus Christ and spoke through him to the people to repent and be baptized.  Although baptism is not in the Old Testament Torah, it was “in those days” being commanded by God through John.

Observations and Insights

Although Jesus had nothing to repent of, He began His ministry by immediately identifying with us in His humanity; God identified Jesus publicly and declared His approval.  This is the first time that we see Jesus as an adult. He inaugurates His ministry at 30 years old with this event.  We see the entire Godhead here.  God the Son, Jesus, was baptized.  God the Holy Spirit alighted on Him like a dove, and God the Father spoke from heaven, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” 

1 Timothy 3:16 tells us that Jesus was “justified [put in right standing] in the Spirit”.  Both His baptism, and later His resurrection establish that.  God’s declaration of Jesus’ identity is not for Jesus’ benefit, but for the people’s.  Jesus was already identified as Christ from His birth (Luke 2:11) and Jesus knew that God was His father at twelve years old (Luke 2:49).    

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward condition of our hearts.  After Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to His disciples and others, He commanded them to preach the Gospel and to baptize believers.  Although John’s baptism and believers’ baptism differ[3] the point is basically the same—a public declaration.  John’s baptism was not a sign of salvation; it was preparation for the people to receive Jesus by realizing the sinful condition of their hearts. 

In the same way that Jesus identified with us by John’s baptism, we are identified with Jesus in believer’s baptism.  Believers’ baptism is a picture of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  A Christian believer is one who believes that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for his (the believer’s) sin and rose again.  Romans 6:4 says that we are buried with Jesus in baptism and raised up to walk in a new life.

I love baptisms.  They are one of the most intimate expressions of relationship with Jesus Christ.  In today’s Christianity many talk about intimacy with Christ, but few of us realize what that will mean.  Jesus’ baptism began His public ministry, but immediately following His baptism, Jesus was driven into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:1).  He then began teaching, healing, and working glorious miracles, but He also received opposition ultimately ending in His crucifixion.  In our study, we will hear Jesus tell us that the way of life for the believer is hard and narrow.  1 Peter 4:12-16 and Phil. 3:10 tell us that fellowship with Jesus Christ includes suffering and hardship. 

None of us knows what tomorrow will bring.  Most of us will experience disappointments, failures, and trials in life.  Jesus said that in this world we will have tribulation, but we can be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world.  As I have enjoyed my reading of the Gospels, I have had more peace in my life circumstances.  I’m sure the Lord is preparing me for future challenges.  I pray that you may grow in your relationship in the Lord as you read and study.

Next: Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-3

---

[1] Note:  Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the four Gospels together into one narrative.  I am copying the order from A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels, George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001.  However, I am using the New King James rather than the HCSB.  This order is from the research of Wright and is open to discussion.  Of course, you can also read the passages side by side separately if you prefer.

[2]   See also http://www.gotquestions.org/origin-baptism.html

[3] Acts 19 explains a situation in the early church in which some new believers were re-baptized in believers' baptism.