In Matthew 3:13-17 (Simple English), the baptism of Jesus by John is recorded as follows:
13. Then Jesus traveled from the land of Galilee to the Jordan River where John was, so that John could immerse Him, 14. but John was trying to stop Him. John said, "I need You to immerse me, yet You are coming to me?''
15. Jesus answered him, "Allow this for now, because this is the proper way for us to fulfill all righteousness.'' Then John did so.
16. After Jesus was immersed, He came up from the water immediately. Suddenly, the sky was opened for Him. He saw the Spirit of God coming down on Him like a dove. 17. Suddenly, a Voice came from Heaven and said, "This is My Son, and I love Him, I am very pleased with Him!''
The baptism of Jesus was a very public one and it was recorded for all posterity, all future generations, to know about and understand, and it is important for several reasons. First of all, as Jesus said, He was baptized “to fulfill all righteousness.” Additionally, the baptism of Jesus Christ is symbolic of the Lord’s own death and resurrection to come. Paul tells us in Romans 6:3-5 (RSV) that our own baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which he also describes as the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15. So when we are baptized (immersed) into Christ we proclaim His Gospel.
3. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4. We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.
There are several key points that Paul makes in these three verses that must not be overlooked or lightly brushed aside and discarded. If we are not baptized, then we have not shared in His death. If we have not shared in His death, then we have not shared in His burial. If we have not shared in His death and burial, then neither are we raised to walk in newness of life, but we continue to walk rebelliously, still lost in our sins. If we do not walk in newness of life, then we are not united with Christ in His death. And if we are not united with Christ, then we will have no part in His glorious resurrection. And if we do not share in His glorious resurrection, then we will stand condemned before God on the Day of Judgment (Romans 8:1; 2 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 3:7). Therefore, how can any supposed disciple of Jesus Christ argue against the efficacy of baptism in the Gospel plan of salvation based upon what the Apostle Paul wrote in the Book of Romans?
13. Then Jesus traveled from the land of Galilee to the Jordan River where John was, so that John could immerse Him, 14. but John was trying to stop Him. John said, "I need You to immerse me, yet You are coming to me?''
15. Jesus answered him, "Allow this for now, because this is the proper way for us to fulfill all righteousness.'' Then John did so.
16. After Jesus was immersed, He came up from the water immediately. Suddenly, the sky was opened for Him. He saw the Spirit of God coming down on Him like a dove. 17. Suddenly, a Voice came from Heaven and said, "This is My Son, and I love Him, I am very pleased with Him!''
The baptism of Jesus was a very public one and it was recorded for all posterity, all future generations, to know about and understand, and it is important for several reasons. First of all, as Jesus said, He was baptized “to fulfill all righteousness.” Additionally, the baptism of Jesus Christ is symbolic of the Lord’s own death and resurrection to come. Paul tells us in Romans 6:3-5 (RSV) that our own baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which he also describes as the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15. So when we are baptized (immersed) into Christ we proclaim His Gospel.
3. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4. We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.
There are several key points that Paul makes in these three verses that must not be overlooked or lightly brushed aside and discarded. If we are not baptized, then we have not shared in His death. If we have not shared in His death, then we have not shared in His burial. If we have not shared in His death and burial, then neither are we raised to walk in newness of life, but we continue to walk rebelliously, still lost in our sins. If we do not walk in newness of life, then we are not united with Christ in His death. And if we are not united with Christ, then we will have no part in His glorious resurrection. And if we do not share in His glorious resurrection, then we will stand condemned before God on the Day of Judgment (Romans 8:1; 2 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 3:7). Therefore, how can any supposed disciple of Jesus Christ argue against the efficacy of baptism in the Gospel plan of salvation based upon what the Apostle Paul wrote in the Book of Romans?
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