Thursday, February 20, 2025

"The Baptism of JESUS"

"Then cometh JESUS from Galilee to Jordan 
unto John, to be baptized . . ."
by Dr. Tom Sexton

The Baptism of JESUS

"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 this 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." Matthew 3:13-17.

Why Was JESUS Baptized ?

There has been much debate about the baptism of JESUS. However, the debate ends when we let JESUS speak for HIMSELF. HE tells us in Scripture why HE was baptized.

HE said, "for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." In other words, JESUS was baptized to fulfill the Scripture concerning HIM.

HIS baptism was a witness that
HE is WHO HE said HE was.

JESUS was baptized for a witness that HE was WHO HE said HE was. JESUS said about HIS baptism, "If I bear witness of MYSELF, MY witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of ME; and I know that the witness which HE witnesseth of ME is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth." John 5:31-33.

Our baptism is a testimony that we are who and what we say we are - followers of CHRIST.

HIS baptism was how HE identified
with GOD the FATHER.

JESUS identified with GOD the FATHER through HIS baptism. GOD said from Heaven, "This is MY beloved SON, in WHOM I AM well please." Matthew 3:17

Our baptism identifies us with Bible believers who are continuing, "steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship" from the time of CHRIST, around the world.

HIS baptism was to be an example
for all believers to follow.

Paul said, "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." Romans 6:4

The Bible says about the first century believers who were saved, "Then they that gladly received HIS WORD were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41

No believer will have the full blessing of GOD on their life who has not followed CHRIST in believers' baptism.

I have discovered the reason why many Christians, who did not follow CHRIST in believers' baptism, and take their first step in their newfound faith, after their salvation, was because the personal worker did not see the importance of it.

How sad a child of GOD would fail to get started right and take the first step of obedience because of a personal worker's failure to inform them about baptism.

Answers for Questions About 
Believers' Baptism.

JESUS said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST." Matthew 28:19. Baptism is part of the great commission given to the local church.

Therefore, it is an ordinance to be carried out under the authority of the local church.

When Should New Converts
Be Baptized ?

After a person receives CHRIST as their personal SAVIOR, they should follow the LORD in believers' baptism.

Baptism is the first step of obedience, and the first act of surrender for the new believer in CHRIST. The Bible says concerning the first century believers, "Then they that gladly received HIS WORD were baptized. . ." Acts 2:41

Believer's baptism is for believers. When the man from Ethiopia asked Philip, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized ? 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. . .and he baptized him." Acts 8:37-38.

People sometimes ask if their baby can be baptized. The answer is, 'Can they answer the question Philip asked the Ethiopian ?' Believers' baptism is for believers.

Why should a believer be baptized ?

Baptism is part of our mission from GOD: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST." Matthew 28:19.

We follow the example set for us: "Then cometh JESUS from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him." Matthew 3:13

We show obedience to CHRIST. "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of HIM, because we keep HIS commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in HIS sight." 1st.John 3:22.

How should a believer be baptized ?

Baptism pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of CHRIST. Our baptism is a picture of what CHRIST did for us, and it is our testimony and identification with HIM.

The Bible says, "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." Romans 6:4
Death         Burial       Resurrection

What if a believer refuses to be baptized ?

He begins a life of disobedience. "Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17. He breaks fellowship with the LORD. "Ye are MY friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." John 15:14. The reason most new believers fail to follow CHRIST in believer' baptism, is because they do not know and understand the importance of believer's baptism.
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
by Dr. Tom Sexton
Five Star Christian Ministries
WordToTheWorld@aol.com
www.FiveStarChristianMinistries.com


https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation





 

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