A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

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A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I I : Mas ter i ng the New Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

2. Indication of the acknowledged penitence of the one who is baptized (i.e., of the desire to change one’s ways and so reorder one’s life back in sync with the ways of the Lord)

3. Baptism was de facto unimportant and unnecessary for Jesus

a. Jesus was the Lamb commissioned to take the world’s sin away, John 1.36 – . . .and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

b. He committed no sin; there was no need for him to repent, 1 Pet. 2.22 – He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

c. John felt the need to be baptized by Jesus, Matt. 3.13-14 – 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?”

C. The fact of the baptism of Jesus Christ, Matt. 3.15

1. Jesus is “baptized” (submerged) within the Jordan river

2. The heavens open, the Spirit of God descends like a dove

3. The Father’s voice and affirmation of Jesus of Nazareth as his Son: Matt. 3.17 – . . . and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”