The Baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew 3:13–17 NLT

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” 15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. 16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

INTRODUCTION:

A- The clear teaching of scripture about baptism:

1- The fact that Baptism by immersion is clear in scripture.

a. The word “βαπτίζω,” transliterated in English as Baptize, literally means, to plunge beneath or into, to immerse.

This is the only word referring to this practice in scripture.

b. The instances of believers being baptized in scripture always describe immersion. (text, Acts 2, Acts 8:38-39)

B- The early church practiced baptism by immersion.

1- In addition to scripture, early church documents insist on baptism by immersion.

a. The Didache, and early church discipleship writing in the second century, insists immersion is the only proper mode of baptism.

b. Cyprian, a third century Christian leader supports immersion.

c. Writings by church leaders in 753 and councils up through 816 still proclaimed immersion as the proper mode of baptism.

d. It was not until 1311 that pouring and sprinkling were affirmed as alternate modes of legitimate baptism.

C- Why should we be serious about believer’s baptism?

TS: To answer this question, we need only answer two others. The answers are found in Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism.

I- HOW IMPORTANT IS BAPTISM? (Matthew 3:13-14)

Matthew 3:13–14 NLT

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”

A- It so important that Jesus set the example. (Matthew 3:13)

Matthew 3:13 NLT

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.

1- Jesus did not let the distance deter him.

a. He traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where John was preaching and baptizing. (John 1:28)

John 1:28 NLT

28 This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.

This was a distance of about 70 miles.

2- Jesus did not allow the loneliness to discourage him.

a. Notice that “Jesus went.” No one went with him.

No family

No friends

3- Jesus did not let distractions divert him from his purpose. (Matthew 3:13 b)

Matthew 3:13 NLT

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.

a. There was likely much along the pathway that could have gotten his attention.

b. There were likely people along the way that could have tempted him to change his focus.

B- It is so important that we should let no one stop us. (Matthew 3:14)

Matthew 3:14 NLT

14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”

1- Jesus did not listen to John’s reasoning for not baptizing Jesus.

a. Jesus did not need to be baptized because of his sin - he had none!

(2 Cor. 5:21)

2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT

21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

b. Baptism does not wash away our sins, only Jesus’ blood does that.

(Hebrews 10:22)

Hebrews 10:22 NLT

22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

2- We should not allow anyone or anything to keep us from obeying Christ in following Him in Baptism.

a. It is the first act of obedience we take as a new believer.

Pentecost - Those who believed followed in Baptism.

(Acts 2:41)

Acts 2:41 NLT

41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

The Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized after he believed.

(Acts 8:36-38)

Acts 8:36–38 NLT

36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” 37 “You can,” Philip answered, “if you believe with all your heart.” And the eunuch replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”* 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Not in all manuscripts

II- WHY IS BAPTISM SO IMPORTANT? (Matthew 3:15-17)

Matthew 3:15–17 NLT

15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. 16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

A- It is important because it performs obedience to the Lord. (Matthew 3:15)

Matthew 3:15 NLT

15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.

(ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν· Ἄφες ἄρτι, οὕτως γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην. τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν.)

1- Jesus emphasized the importance of baptism…”It should be done…”

a. Through his baptism, Jesus confirmed John’s message about him.

b. Through his baptism he pictured the completion of his own ministry.

His death, burial and resurrection.

c. Through his baptism, Jesus obeyed the Father.

(John 5:19)

John 5:19 NLT

19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

(John 8:28–29)

John 8:28–29 NLT

28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. 29 And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.”

2- Jesus commanded believers to be baptized.

(Matthew 28:19-20)

Matthew 28:19–20 NLT

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

B- It is important because it pictures the gospel message. (Matthew 3:16 a)

Matthew 3:16 NLT

16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.

1- The mode of baptism pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

2- The act of baptism pictures the believer identifying with the Lord Jesus Christ and his work.

3- The act of baptism demonstrates what has happened to the believer as he trusts in Christ. (Romans 6:3-7)

Romans 6:3–7 NLT

3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.

C- It is important because it pleases the Lord. (Matthew 3:16-17)

Matthew 3:16–17 NLT

16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

(16 βαπτισθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εὐθὺς ἀνέβη ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἠνεῴχθησαν οἱ οὐρανοί, καὶ εἶδεν πνεῦμα θεοῦ καταβαῖνον ὡσεὶ περιστερὰν ἐρχόμενον ἐπʼ αὐτόν·

17 καὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα· Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα.)

1- The obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ pleased the father.

a. The Father spoke from Heaven emphasizing his joy and approval of Jesus’ actions and ministry.

“This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

2- Obeying God’s commands pleases the Lord.

(John 14:21)

John 14:21 NLT

21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

(John 15:10)

John 15:10 NLT

10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

CONCLUSION:

Today we have answered two questions:

I- HOW IMPORTANT IS BAPTISM?

II- WHY IS BAPTISM SO IMPORTANT?

The answer is clearly shown in this passage describing the baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is only one question left for you to answer, if you haven’t been baptised since you believed:

Will you surrender in obedience to God and follow Jesus’ example and the call of the scriptures to be baptized?