The Baptism of Jesus Christ

Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-33

(READ EACH OF THESE SETS OF VERSES)

In studying the baptism of Jesus Christ, there’s so much we can learn about baptism itself—its design, purpose, and what it symbolizes, along with why Christ (the sinless, perfect, Son of God/Son of man) was baptized (even why sought it out from JTB)

Jesus Christ’s baptism shows us:

How He came to identify with sinful man—doing exactly what His Father wished Him to do

How He came, not abolish the law, but to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17-18)

How He came, to be the Perfect and Ideal Man—securing perfect righteousness, through His obediene to the Father (John 6:38, Philippians 2:8)

An ever-clear picture of The Trinity

God the Son—standing in the Jordan River—as Immanuel (God with us), identifying with us

God the Father—Speaking from heaven at His pleasure in the Son

God the Holy Spirit—descending upon Christ in the form of a “dove”

How baptism served to catapult and initiate His earthly ministry

Today’s message focuses on each of the Gospels’ accounting of Jesus’ baptism, providing unique perspectives and context, from which we can draw doctrinally sound application surrounding baptism’s true purpose.

In Matthew’s account we learn what baptism is about

In Mark’s account we view baptism as a decision for God

In Luke’s account, we are tought how baptism is both (1) an act of repentance and (2) of obedience

John’s account teaches us about Christ’s baptism through the lens of Jesus’ divinity

Our time today will consist of broad stroke truths about Jesus Christ’s baptism and what baptism truly means and examples for us today.

(Matthew 3:13-17—What Baptism is All About)

I. (v.13) The Request of Jesus to be Baptized

Matthew 3:13 “Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.”

(FIRST) “…to be baptized of him [John]...”

Christ came specifically to JTB to be baptized; He was compelled to (it was no short distance b/t Nazareth and the Jordan, where JTB was)..why?

Christ was to identify Himself with John’s ministry; He was—in fact—the Messiah, the Lamb of God—as JTB was proclaiming

(SECOND) That Christ sought to be baptized, in and of itself, is startling.

A few questions arise:

Why as the Author and Finisher of our faith—the Founder of Christianity—the One who was making baptism even possible and effectual for man—seeking to be baptized?

If John’s baptism was a call for men to take a stand for and become identified with a life of repentance & righteousness—and Christ was already perfectly righteous, why would Jesus be baptized?

Our answer comes in Christ’s very own words (“to fulfill all righteousness”)

We will discuss this in just a few short minutes—see Matthew 3:15)

II. (v.14) John the Baptist’s reaction (humility and need)

Matthew 3:14 “And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?””

(CONTEXT)—In JTB’s contesting of this (arguing against Christ coming to him for baptism) we see two things:

John the Baptist’s humility, which as most unusual b/c of how JTB was seen in the eyes of the people

Multitudes of people were flocking to JTB

The average person, tax collectors, and soldiers

The religionisists

Despite him being opposed by religionists and traditionalists, JTB was honored by a vast number of people

John the Baptist’s humility is seen however, in that he lowered himself and acknowledged that he was nothing in comparison

Note JTB’s testimony in John 3:27–36

“John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

“He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.””

In John the Baptist’s perspective, he was not worthy nor did he deserve the privilege of baptizing the Lamb of God

He himself needed the baptism of Christ

JTB needed what Christ had—the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit.”

JTB was confessing his need to receive the Holy Spirit and fire from Christ Himself

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION) What’s the purpose of Biblical baptism from verse 13 & 14?

First, it begins with the humility to understand that every person needs what Christ has to offer—salvation—to be born again

Each of us should realize our deep need of Jesus and the restoration He Himself offers and provides—and if a person has so done so, if a person should so accept Christ, that person should so desire the second:

Second, b/c of what Christ has done in us, b/c of our repentance and belief in the name of Jesus Christ, we (you and I) should desire:

To bear witness to the changed life Christ has given them

To be obedient to testify we’ve given our lives over to Christ

There is no disgrace in your humility to recognize that you need Jesus, b/c that humility--the humility to cry out to Jesus, is that which ushers in eternal and abundant life

III. (v.15) The Godly Purpose of Jesus to Fulfill all Righteousness

Matthew 3:15 “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.”

(CONTEXT)-In Jesus’ response to JTB, His answer draws us back to question “Why was Jesus baptized.”

Jesus Christ was going to fulfill every law of God for man.

Baptism was one of those laws

Jesus Christ was going to pay man’s penalty for transgressing and breaking the law—the penalty of death.

His immersion was a symbol of His coming immersion into death

Jesus Christ was demonstrating the full extent of His humiliation in becoming a man.

He emptied Himself and “made Himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Phil 2:6-7)

Jesus Christ was identifying with those He came to save—those whom He created in His likeness and image (you and me)

He was demonstrating that all who follow Him must be identified in this way as well

Biblical baptism is the demonstrative obedience which testifies that a person is no longer identifying themselves with the world, rather they have identified themselves with Christ—something which cannot be entered into lightly

IV. (v.16-17) The Sign’s of Jesus’ baptism, particularly mentioned by Matthew

Matthew 3:16–17 “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. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.””

The heavens were opened (one of two things—maybe more)

This may be a scene of the clouds being rolled back and the dove descending from the heavens (clouds and sky)

This may be a special vision give to Jesus and John—revealing the full approval and manifestation of God’s power upon His Son

The Holy Spirit descended like a dove

The dove was given to JTB as a special sign that Jesus was the Son of God (given to stir John’s faith and give him direction)

The voice of God was heard

“My Son”—this points to the deity of Christ

1 John 5:13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”

“Beloved Son”—this points to the love within the Godhead (Trinity)

Colossians 1:13 “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,”

“Well pleased”—this points to the perfect life Jesus lived. He was, “yet without sin”

(Mark 1:9-11—What happens when a person makes a decision for God)

I. (v.9) Jesus’ baptism was involved a decision and a surrender

Mark 1:9 “It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”

“Jesus came from Nazareth…and was baptized in Jordan”

In Nazareth, Jesus had all that most people dream about

Happy home

Close-knit family

Occupation (carpentar as Joseph was)

Friends

Memories that increased throughout His childhoold

In leaving Nazareth…Christ left it all behind, in order to be baptized by JTB in the Jordan

What was on Jesus’ mind?

The call of God (His Father) to launch His mission to “save man from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.””

John 3:16–17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

What this call required was the sacrifice of everything:

All He had in Nazareth

A long “earthly” life (just 36 months after His ministry would start, He would crucified)

His Godly righteousness: (“The star creator became the sin-bearer”)

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Philippians 2:5–7 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”

1 Peter 2:21–24 “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

God’s presence—In death, God was to forsake Him

Matthew 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?””

This teaches us, there was a momentous decision for Jesus to leave Nazareth to be baptized

In His baptism, Jesus was surrendering totally to God’s will and mission to save the world

In His baptism, Jesus was showing what is involved in paying the ultimate price: the price of sacrificial oneself totally for the the will of God

In His baptism, Jesus was showing the world what is involved in making a momentous decision and total surrender to God

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION)—What does verse 9 teach us about what happens when we make a decision for God?

A person’s decision to follow Christ involves the total surrender of all we are, that we might place our lives in all of who He is.

When it comes to our sinful living and choices—ask yourself, what has your sinful living ever accomplished for you, other than bringing you misery, guilt & grief, and the threat of eternal separation from the grace of God

Are you living in such a way that you have realized, that even one day of living for and in Christ is more satisfying that 100 years living for the world?

When it comes to the excuse of, “I’m too comfortable—-comfort’s overrated and God never calls us to comfort—He calls us to contentment.

Philippians 4:11–13 “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

When it comes to family and friends, in order we might follow Christ as He calls us to, we must heed His own words

Luke 14:26 ““If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.”

When it comes to our own desires, wants, wishes—when it comes to “self,” we must deny it all for the priviledge of following Christ

Luke 9:23 “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

A person’s decision to follow Christ is a momentous decision and in believer’s baptism—a bold and courageous testimony is expressed, of a person’s commitment to

Wholly trust Christ as both Lord and Savior

Wholly surrender to God’s purpose for their life

Wholly surrender to God’s will for their life

II. (v.9) Jesus’ baptism involved a beginning and an identification

Mark 1:9 “It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”

Christ’s baptism was a beginning, a beginning of a new life, a beginning of a new direction in His life.

Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of His sole purpose—the restoration of man to God through His atoning sacrifice on the cross

It’s the direction the whole of His earthly ministry pointed towards—every thing he did, taught, accomplished for 36 months was to direct people to the cross and the remission of sins His sacrifice would offer.

Jesus’ baptism was an identification with JTB’s proclamation that He was the coming Messiah—the Lamb of God.

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION)

A person’s “beginning” of their new life takes place in their being “born again.”

Believer’s baptism serves as their outward declaration of bearing a new identity, that:

They have forsaken their identity with the world and

They have chosen to bear and grow in the identity of Christ with their life

III. (v.10) Mark’s account bears similarities to Matthew’s

Mark 1:10 “And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.”

In the similarities we learn

Jesus is being commission and set apart by heaven itself: God is giving His son an experience that would leave His commissioning unquestionaable and unforgettable

This moment is dramatic: the Holy Spirit is descending upon Christ in the form of a dove

The work Christ came to do is symbolized in the dove—the work of peace and purity

Christ came to bring peace b/t God and man through the cross

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Christ came to purify our sinful hearts and redeem us through atonement, by His shed blood on the cross

Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”

1 Peter 1:18–19 “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION)

Believer’s baptism is a dramatic moment—and should be something not easily forgotten

It is the moment where a publicly bold and courageous statement for Christ is made

It is the moment where we are telling others and are affirming that our lives will be lived for Christ and not ourselves

(SADLY)

Too many people fall short in following Christ wholly/totally: They do not surrender all they are to all of who Christ is—and thus they fall short of His call and commission

Too many people—still—do not begin with Christ—they are never truly identified with Him

People may even be baptized—yet their follow through with Christ lacks and the world and even those close them, never know they are followers of Chist—not a committed and genuine follower

Too many people—still—do not begin with Christ—in that they never first reckon their sins (lostness) with the reality of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

People enter into baptism with the fallacy that baptism removes sins and saves their souls

(Luke 3:21-22—The Obedience of Baptism)

I. (v.21) Baptism is an act of obedience

Luke 3:21 “When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.”

(CONTEXT)—Jesus was obeying God in being baptized (note two things)

Jesus obeyed God in being baptized with the people (“When all the people were baptized...”)

Jesus was right in the midst of the people—obeying God with them (this is exactly what God desired, that His Son would identify with people (with us)

Jesus’s baptism was demonstrating two things

He was the Son of God and was fulfilling all righteousness.

He, too, just as those who were being baptized, was being obedient to God---fulfilling and “doing” God’s Word and will

Jesus was identifying with man in His obedience to the Father

His humiliation—that He was Man, fully Man—and as Man,

He was required to live obediently to God, just as other men:

The glaring difference? Christ was sinless and in living in perfect obedience to the Father—thereby becoming the Ideal and Perfect Man—the Pattern for all men

Jesus obeyed God in prayer

Notice as Jesus was praying while He was being baptized—

His thoughts and mind were upon God

His fellowship and communion was with and upon God

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION)

The obedience of baptism: If God’s only begotten Son—who was and is perfect and sinless—needed to be baptized as a sign of obedience, how much more should we follow in beleiver’s baptism, those needing repentance and forgiveness from sins?

We are not above God’s will and His instructions: Peter’s words to those who would form the early church, in Acts 2, are not suggestive, as if to be entered into lightly/casually; they are imperative: “Repent and be baptized” are just imperative as any other form of obedience God calls us to—again, showing us that baptism is part of the act of repentance

Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The obedience of prayer: Why would a person’s mind be anywhere else but on Christ and what He had and was accomplishing in baptism?

Baptism—again—is an outward sign of God’s working within the heart of a person. This inward working and inward grace of God is sought by prayer (confession unto conversion is brought upon by prayer)—True baptism is the first act whereby a man shows he is in communion with God

Baptism—the most significant act of discipleship—is followed up by a changed life. A changed life demonstrates a person’s repentance and seeking of God’s forgiveness; in baptism, a spirit of prayer must exist in order to seek God’s grace and favor—as a person rises up to new life, a life of sojourning through a alien and wicked world

Baptism—as we saw in Mark’s account—launches the new life of the believer.

It is the first act of a repenting believer.

It is the first confession to the public a person is going to change their life and live for God

It is the outward profession on the heels of a person’s private confession done on the heels of God’s inward work.

(v.22) Baptism secures God’s approval (bear with me here as we draw this out

Luke 3:22 “And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.””

(CONTEXT) This is seen, in context, in three ways

The heavens were opened (again we already noted the possible two purposes for this)

The Holy Spirit descended on Christ in the form of a dove (“bodily shape of a dove”)

The was a sacred bird to the Jews, for it was a symbol of peace & gentleness—of purity & innocencse, and most importantly, a dove was often identified with the Spirit of God

Thus, when the dove descended upon Christ, it symoblized the Spirit of God Himself descending upon Jesus—identifying Him as the Messiah—endueing Christ with the power of God

The Spirit’s descent upon Christ was unique: (1) He abode (John 1:32) and He remained (John 1:33)

The Spirit once and for all entered the life of Jeses—permanently and powerfully—Fully manifested and with unlimited power.

BIBLICAL APPLICATION (When our genuine obedience to God meets our baptism, God is please and we secure God’s approval in 3 ways)

God gives us a very special sense of His presence—of His approval—a sense that we are pleasing Him immensely

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”

2 Peter 1:4 “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

God manifests and reveals His Spirit to us in a very special sense—in significant moments (such as baptism) He brings special manifestations to the believer of the Spirit (Note the Biblical truths here)

John 14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.””

1 Corinthians 2:9–10 “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”

Colossians 1:26–27“the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

God’s Word is heard

The very fact we are baptized is evidence we have heard His command and obeyed it

The life that follows is a life which continues to speak to us day by day as we seek His will

(John 1:32-33—The Divinity of Christ in His Baptism)

I. (v.32) Christ is the Messiah

John 1:32 “And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.”

The context here is similar to what we learned already, John’s emphasis of the dove was of signifcance to JTB

The “dove” scene here was a strong witness for JTB—affirming and confirming for him that Christ was the Lamb of God, come to take away the sins of the world.”

The application here, again is similar to other accounts, but note a truth we have yet to discuss

Upon a person’s baptism by the Holy Spirit into Christ:

The Holy Spirit Himself enters the life of the believer, ever identifying them as belonging to God, becoming both

A permanent resident and

A permanent experience of the believer

John’s gospel centers on the divinity (deity) of Jesus Christ.

While most of Jesus’ miracles are not mentioned by John, his gospel directs us to see the intrinsic divinity of Jesus Christ.

How does this help us grasp the Biblical truth of baptism?

A believer’s obedience to baptism is a reflection of their belief, trust, and faith

In the name of Jesus Christ, and

In the divine nature of Christ (only through a divine nature is resurrection possible)

If a person should fail to grasp the divinity and deity of Christ, how then can they be identified with Him in baptism? Note what we must believe in order that baptism be rightly obeyed:

Romans 6:4 “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Colossians 2:11–12 “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

(CLOSING/WORSHIP)

Think about the things we keep in closets. Why do we keep them there?

To keep things out of sight and out of mind—so we don’t have to worry or think about them—until we need that “thing”

To keep others from seeing or noticing those things:

Because we have no—or make no room in our “living” space for these things

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount teaches His disciples that their faith isn’t something to be hidden, something to be kept inside; it isn’t to lose it’s flavor and appeal to the world:

Matthew 5:13–16 ““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Believer’s baptism is the outward declaration that we’ve been tasted and seen of Jesus Christ; it’s the “switching on of the lamp switch” which demonstrates to others that our life has been given light—that we desire to live in the light and for others to partake of this light.

In just a few short weeks, we will gather together with tremendous intentionality, as we remember, praise, and worship Jesus Christ as the risen Lamb of God. Through confession in the name of Jesus Christ, man can be liberated from the penalty and wages of sin. In “new birth” in Christ, man has the opportunity to live a changed, renewed, and restored life—a life no longer indebted to sin—but a life alive to the Spirit and a hidden in Christ.

And if a person so chooses the free gift of God—so surrenders their lives through repentance & confession, the very next breath they take is a breath in the newness of life—what a wonderful, un-regretted, and unforgettable momentous decision & moment!!

In that choice lies the Biblical imperative of what we call “believer’s baptism.” It is that outward proclamation of God’s inward purification of a heart. Baptism is bold, however. Why?

Because a person cannot hide anymore—no longer is a person a “closet Christian.” (And why would a true believer desire to be in the first place?)

Because it’s the “taking off of the kid gloves,” it’s the

Outright sign of your commitment to follow Christ on this “risky journey” of life after salvation;

Outright sign that you are committed to deny self and live for Christ

Outright sign of both the commitment to follow God and exchange your will for His.

It’s a decision so worth making, however. The greatest, most joyful, most rewarding decision a person can make, is to entrust their lives to Jesus Christ.

For those desiring a changed life—to be born again, please know that baptism alone does not bring about that changed life; it’s just the witness of a changed life. There’s nothing more we’d love to do, than to have a gospel conversation with you, so that you may feel the joy of salvation and of believer’s baptism.

For those who have made a decision for Christ—but have not yet been baptized, we would love nothing more than to come alongside you, encourage you, and celebrate with you, and see you take that step of obedience.

For those who have done both (decision and baptism)—are living a life reflective of (1) God’s inward work of salvation and (2) your witness & testimony to commit your life to wholly follow Christ. If you are struggling, we’d love nothing more than to come alongside you, encourage you, and help you lay some things at the feet of Jesus and see your fellowship restored and your commitment renewed.