Jesus and Baptism
by Doy Moyer
On the third day of creation, God separated the dry land from the waters, and life came through the water (Genesis 1:9-13). This pattern was seen again when life came through the waters after the flood (Genesis 8:6-12). Again, it was seen when the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea into a new life in covenant with God (Exodus 14:26-31). This theme of life coming through water can be seen repeatedly throughout Scripture, with its New Testament counterpart and fulfillment in Christ and baptism (see I Peter 3:20-21; I Corinthians 10:1-4).
When John was going before Christ to prepare the way, he was baptizing for repentance and remission of sins (Luke 3:3). Jesus, who did not need to repent or be forgiven, came to John to be baptized. “John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he consented” (Matthew 3:14-15 ESV).
Why was Jesus baptized? “To fulfill all righteousness” is the immediate answer, but what does this mean? We can say, “to do the right thing,” but more is going on. Jesus began the process by which people are reconciled with God. He came to complete God’s plan, which meant identifying Himself with John’s work and purposes. John was the forerunner to Jesus, pointing to Him as the Messiah. Jesus validated John’s work by submitting to baptism and showing He was indeed the Messiah, the Son of God, and the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29-34). Jesus identified Himself with all believers who were looking for the kingdom. This act inaugurated His ministry, in which He preached the kingdom and told people to repent. It prepared the way for the new life in Him. It really was a beginning point that would culminate in His death, resurrection, and ascension.
Jesus’ baptism foreshadowed His own work that He would accomplish. Baptism is an immersion in which death, burial, and resurrection are represented. Paul pointed to this as a model for all believers: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:3-4). Jesus’ baptism looked ahead to His death, burial, and resurrection, which, in turn, serves as a pattern for believers.
For Jesus, baptism was no trivial matter, and His example is to be followed. He never asked anyone to do what He was unwilling to do. His ministry began with baptism, and His instructions about baptism were foundational to what He wanted His disciples to do. We see this in the great commission: “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Through baptism, disciples identify with Jesus and His shed blood. He taught people to baptize by His authority. On the day of Pentecost, when Peter preached the gospel, he said to those asking what they should do, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Baptism is still for repentance and remission of sins, in the name of Jesus, and following His pattern.
As indicated, baptism means we are imitating the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 6:3-4). Many other New Testament passages show this act's significance (cf. Galatians 3:26-27; Colossians 2:12-14; I Peter 3:20-21; Acts 22:16, etc.). It’s not just some cold ritual; it’s about appealing to God for forgiveness by the blood of Jesus and identifying with Him in His death and resurrection. We also identify with others in His kingdom who now look forward to His second coming. And because of that, we plead with others to be reconciled to God.
Jesus is the One who provides true meaning to baptism. He laid the foundation for it in His own baptism, told His disciples to go baptize others in their disciple-making, and continues to work through those who are baptized into Him now. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). Life still comes through the water even as the blood of Christ saves us.
