Why Did Jesus Get Baptized?

Baptism and communion are the only two things that Jesus ordained, ordered, or commanded His followers to do on a regular basis. Neither of these are a means of grace. They are simply outward signs that we have inwardly received the grace of God though faith in the person and work of Christ. They serve as visual reminders or reenactments of how Christ saves people from sin and they provide those who are trusting in Christ to save them the opportunity to corporately identify with Christ and publicly testify of their belief in Him. Jesus not only instituted both of these ordinances but He also participated in both of them. He instituted and participated in the first communion at the end of His ministry, and He was baptized at the beginning of His ministry. Jesus’ baptism is mentioned in all four gospels but Matthew provided the most detailed account. In this passage, we see TWO REASONS why Jesus got baptized. 

1. ASSOCIATION WITH HUMANITY (vv. 13-15)
2. AFFIRMATION OF DEITY (vv. 16-17)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” These questions are designed to help you apply today’s message to your life. We encourage you to thoughtfully answer these questions and discuss your answers with others. For more information about joining a Grow Group that uses these questions as the basis for weekly discussion, prayer, and accountability, please call the church office at (936) 582-1977.

1. When and where were you baptized? If you have never been baptized by immersion since you committed your life to follow Christ as your Lord and Savior, what has kept you from doing so?
2. Read Romans 3:28, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, and Titus 3:5-7. Why is it better to refer to baptism as an ordinance rather than a sacrament (i.e. means of grace vs. sign of grace)?
3. If being baptized is not necessary for your salvation, then what is the purpose of baptism (cf. Mt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-4)?
4. Since Jesus didn’t have any sin to confess and repent of, then why did He ask John the Baptist to baptize Him? In what way did Jesus’ baptism “fulfill all righteousness” (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21)?
5. How was the trinitarian nature of God revealed at Jesus’ baptism? What role does each member of the Godhead play in the plan of redemption (cf. Eph. 1:3-14)?
6. Thank God for sending His Son to live the perfect life you could never live and to die the awful death you deserved to die. Pray for those who got baptized this Sunday that they would faithfully follow Christ and boldly proclaim Christ to others.

“Witness the humiliation of God. At His birth, He stepped from heaven to take on our flesh. At His baptism, He steps down even further to take on our shame. He descends into the valley of repentance, willing not only to stand on the banks with us in our humanness but also to wade in the water to stand with us in our sinfulness.”

Ken Gire, Moments With The Savior, 58