Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

The Sermon for This Week is: The Baptism Of Jesus - Matthew 3:13-17 - Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

 

INTRODUCTION

 

1. The baptism of Jesus by John served a significant role in both of their ministries...

a. It came at the height of John’s ministry, after which his began to decline

b. It served as the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, which soon overtook the ministry of John

 

2. The baptism of Jesus naturally raises some questions...

a. Why was He baptized?

b. Does it suggest an explanation of the purpose for Christian baptism?

 

[In this study we shall endeavor to answer these questions, first by reviewing the historical record concerning Jesus’ baptism...]

 

I. THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

 

A. JESUS COMES TO JOHN...

 

1. From Galilee to the Jordan River - Matthew 3:13a - Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John,

a. Jesus had been living in Nazareth, a city of Galilee - Matthew 2:23 - And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

b. John had been baptizing in the Jordan River, where there was much water - Matthew 3:5-6 - Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. - John 3:23 - And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

 

2. To be baptized by John - Matthew 3:13b - to be baptized of him.

 

B. JOHN SEEKS TO PREVENT JESUS...

 

1. John tried to prevent Jesus from being baptized - Matthew 3:14a - But John forbad him,

 

2. He explains why: Matthew 3:14b - saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

a. There is a sense of shock in John’s words

b. While John did not fully comprehend who Jesus was until later (cf. John 1:29-33 - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.), he evidently knew enough that he was perplexed

 

C. JESUS PERSUADES JOHN...

 

1. Jesus convinces John to permit His baptism - Matthew 3:15a - And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now:

 

2. As Jesus explains why: “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

 

3. And so Jesus is baptized by John - Matthew 3:15b - for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

 

D. THE SPIRIT AND THE FATHER ADD THEIR TESTIMONY...

 

1. The heavens open, and the Spirit of God descends like a dove (in bodily form, Luke 3:22 - And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.) and lights upon Jesus - Matthew 3:16 - And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

 

2. A voice from heaven proclaims:

a. “This is My beloved Son”

b. “In whom I am well pleased”

 

[Without question, the baptism of Jesus was a significant event! It naturally raises several questions which I will try to answer...]

 

II. QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

 

A. WHY WAS JESUS BAPTIZED...?

 

1. Clearly not for the same reason other people were being baptized by John

a. Theirs was a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins - cf. Mark 1:4 - John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

b. They were confessing their sins - cf. Mark 1:5 - And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. - Matthew 3:6 - And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

 

-- Jesus was without sin - Hebrews 4:15 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

 

2. Jesus said it was “to fulfill all righteousness” - Matthew 3:15 - And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

a. It was God’s counsel that people be baptized of John - cf. Luke 7:29-30 - And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

b. Jesus was willing to set the right example by doing the Father’s will, something He delighted to do - cf. Psalms 40:7-8 - Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. - John 4:34 - Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. - John 8:29 - And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

 

3. It also served to introduce Him to John and Israel

a. John had been proclaiming that He was coming - Matthew 3:11 - I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

b. John had been told that the Spirit coming upon Jesus would be a sign - John 1:29-34 - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

 

B. DOES JESUS’ BAPTISM EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM...?

 

1. Many refer to Jesus’ baptism to explain the purpose of Christian baptism

a. That our baptism has nothing to do with the remission of sins

b. That our baptism is but a public profession of one’s faith

c. That our baptism is to publicly identify our relation to Christ, just as His baptism publicly introduced Him to Israel

 

2. However, there is no Biblical connection made between Jesus’ baptism and our own

a. Christian baptism is for the remission of sins - Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. - Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

b. Christian baptism is a union with Christ in His death - Romans 6:3-7 - Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

c. Christian baptism was often administered in relative privacy - Acts 8:35-38 - Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. - Acts 16:25-34 - And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

 

3. No Biblical writer suggests that we are baptized for the same reason Jesus was

 

C. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SPIRIT DESCENDING AND THE FATHER’S VOICE...?

 

1. They certainly bear testimony as to who Jesus is

a. As the Spirit would do later, via the works Jesus did - Matthew 12:28 - But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

b. As the Father would do later, on another occasion - Matthew 17:5 - While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

 

2. They also bear testimony to the nature of the Godhead

a. I.e., three distinct persons in One God

b. Though One in substance, there is a distinction to be made between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - cf. also Matthew 28:19 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 

CONCLUSION

 

1. With the baptism of Jesus...

a. He was formerly introduced to John, and by him to Israel - cf. John 1:29-34 - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

b. The Father and the Spirit audibly and visually confirmed Him as the Son

c. Jesus demonstrated His desire to “fulfill all righteousness”

 

2. The baptism of Jesus is certainly significant to Christians...

a. Not we were baptized for the same reason as He

b. But certainly in confirming that He was the Messiah

c. And displaying the attitude that should be true of all His disciples (“I have come to do my Father’s will...”)

 

Jesus did not “need” baptism because He was without sin, but was baptized any way because it was the Father’s will for man at that time; should we who are sinners dare hesitate to do the Father’s will regarding baptism today? - Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. - Mark 16:15-16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. - Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Mark 16:15-16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

 

Prayer: Lord I truly thank You for giving me the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will give them Your eternal blessings and accept them into Your heart - this  I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which Ye sent to save mankind from themselves. Amen

 

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. - Ephesians 6:23-24

 

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.