Baptism: New Beginnings

Matthew 3:11-17

Matthew 3:11–17 ESV

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

The Presence of Authority

As we read the recording of Jesus’ baptism, the first theme that is introduced is this pattern of authority. We see John, called by God to baptize men and women to repentance. He’s been given authority and a call by God to prepare the way for Jesus. John was a prophet and a powerful man of God.

Matthew 11:11 ESV

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

He was righteous, faithful, and had authority given by God to speak, preach, and baptize. However, John is clear that, even though he has this authority given by God there is someone coming after who is even greater. So great, that he wasn’t even worthy to carry his sandals.

And so we see immediately, Jesus step onto the scene where John himself says, this Jesus is greater than me. More worthy than me. And has authority than me. John baptizes with water…Jesus baptizes with the Spirit.

And Jesus says, I must get baptized by you John, to fulfill the law. To accomplish what man could not do.

And when He gets baptized…the Holy Spirit falls on Jesus..and the God the Father himself testifies that Jesus is God the Son. John testifies of the authority of Jesus..and the Father testifies of the authority of Jesus.

Understanding baptism then begins with understanding who Jesus is. You do not get baptized your pastor asks, or your friends ask. Baptism is something God himself has called us to.

Why do we get baptized? Who is asking us to get baptized?

The Problem of Visibility

The Promise of Community

The Purpose of Ministry