What was the Significance of Jesus Baptism? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba

John the Baptist, in fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture (Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1); came as the messenger to prepare the way of the Messiah. The Messiah, who would wash away the sins of the world, had arrived just as God promised. Therefore, God was fulfilling every promise made through His Old Testament Prophets. God promised John that he would know Him by witnessing the Holy Spirit descending upon Him. (John 1:33). So, Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized. John objected and forbade him to be baptized. (Matthew 3:14). He knew that Jesus was perfect righteousness and did not need to repent and be baptized. Yet, Jesus told him, “Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).

Water Baptism cannot save; but, stands as a symbol to the world of what God has performed in the heart of the believer. It is an outward expression of gratitude and dedication to God for what He has done.

Jesus during His ministry on earth also exemplified to all mankind the life that they should live; because of the salvation of Grace He came to purchase on their behalf. He taught his followers how to pray, how to live among the hostilities of their day, and how to be a witness to others. Jesus’ Baptism marked the beginning of His ministry to prepare His followers to be able to preach the Gospel message. He was teaching by example; because, He knew they would face great trials and hardship. Soon enough, He would take upon His shoulders the sin of the world and pay the price for their sins. For the moment, He was to teach His disciples how to live. Baptism symbolized the death, burial and resurrection He came to complete.

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

“And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him: And there came a voice from heaven saying, ‘Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:10-11).

Furthermore, in the Liberty Bible Commentary, it is noted. “Thou art is a statement of fact. Thou (in this verse) is translated from an emphatic Greek personal pronoun stressing the identity of Jesus to the exclusion of all others. The force of this is, ‘You alone, rather than any others, are uniquely My Beloved Son.”[1]

Furthermore, this also pointed to the truth presented about Jesus in Isaiah 61:1. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted to proclaim liberty to the captives, and opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn” (Isaiah 61:1-2).

A Holy Righteous God cannot be just, nor the justifier of the sinner without His Wrathful Vengeance against sin being fulfilled. Sin separates every human from God’s presence. Outside His presence, there is no hope of goodness, joy, or life. He shines glimpses of His glorious light into this world; that we might desire and be drawn toward Him. Jesus came to pay the penalty of our sins that we might stand before God clothed in a righteousness not our own.

Why is Baptism Important for You and me?

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5-6). When I accepted Jesus Christ, my debt past, present and future are paid. I am washed completely in the blood of Christ; because, He fully paid my sin debt. Immersion Baptism is symbolic to the world and to my own heart, as an act of dedication and praise. This is not just sprinkling some water, as my salvation is not just sprinkled either.

So, what about when I sin? I must confess my sins, repent and turn from them. Seeking to do His Will must be a priority of my life. But, I do not need to be rebaptized each time. Note when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, Peter declared, “then wash all of me”. Jesus replied, “He that is washed needed not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.” We are through confession come to Christ at the cross to have our feet washed, when we as the redeemed do sin; but, our salvation is secure because of the work of Christ.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

As Christ set an example for us, so should we. He did not need baptism; but, he bids those who have accepted Him as Savior to be Baptized to demonstrate outwardly what He has already accomplished within us.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.

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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.