2006-08-01 14:59:57 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As an example to his followers. Baptism is an outward sign of faith. (BTW- It has nothing to do with salvation, you do not have to be baptized to go to Heaven. Remember the thief on the cross, all he said was Lord Remember Me and Jesus told him he would be with him today in paradise. The thief didn't have a chance to get baptized. It is something all Christians should want to do. But not a requirement for Heaven.)
2006-08-01 15:16:00 · answer #1 · answered by ???? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although as the Son Of God, Jesus Is Higher than St. John(St. John initially refused to Baptize Jesus, precisely because he knew Jesus Is the Christ), He Had to be Baptized by St. John in order to start His Own Public Ministry, to show Good Relations with His people.
2006-08-01 22:13:24 · answer #2 · answered by clusium1971 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you read the account of the baptism? You'll find it in Matthew 3:13-17. It served two purposes, it was the sign of the beginning of Jesus' ministry. John was the herald announcing the coming Messiah, if you read the text, John resisted the idea, but at Jesus' command obeyed. Second, to identify the Messiah. Because the Jewish nation had been expecting their Messiah to appear. The issue of Jesus' deity wasn't the matter at that time, just to fulfill God's plan.
2006-08-01 22:11:38 · answer #3 · answered by tigranvp2001 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The baptism apparently has its origons in jewish culture as the "Mikvah". It was a ritualized bathing used for specific situations...any may not have been a regular occurance.
In canonical sense, John the Baptist used the batism as a GENERAL blessing that was only the first step into accepting true salvation. As the baptism of Jesus occured BEFORE his public confermation (or to be more apt, renouncement) and general acceptance as the 'Son of God', it would make sense that John would baptise this young man inorder to begin is renewal, as John would frequently do this to large masses of the population.
Now, if thats actually what occured...I'm afraid I don't have that answer. :)
2006-08-01 22:09:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was an example of what we should be and do. And Jesus said no one born of woman was greater than John. He was filled with the Holy Spirit in his mothers womb. So John was the Prophesied one crying in the wilderness to Baptize Jesus.
2006-08-01 22:05:23 · answer #5 · answered by kritikos43 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only as an example of what was to come. He also did it as a lawful thing under that covenant. Now we are baptized in water for obedience to the bible and Gods plan of salvation.Christ started the church with Peter and Peter told people what they needed to be saved Peter knew they believed so he told them to repent(turn from sins) and be baptized for the remission(forgiveness of sins) and they would recieve the gift of the holy spirit. Many people dont believe in water baptism these days simply because evil men with doctrines which were evil decided to change what it meant in their teachings. I hope this helps
2006-08-01 22:07:54 · answer #6 · answered by alphashadow2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he had to be baptized by john because he wanted to be an example to everyone that baptism is making a public statement that you have gotten saved and are a born again christian. he also wanted to show everyone what you have to do with the dipping into the water and the short speech thing. he was simply an example. hope this helps God Bless!
2006-08-01 22:07:55 · answer #7 · answered by guitargurl18 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah -- you don't understand the significance of baptism.
Basically, it is a public demonstration that you are ready to begin growing in God... that you understand your salvation, and have begun to mature in your faith.
After the baptism, Jesus took on the role of Messiah for the first time. He was a grown man, and prepared to begin the plan that had begun thirty years ago, at the Nativity.
Also -- this benefited John, and all those who saw it. God doesn't often physically manifest himself to human eyes, but the voice heard from above and the dove were a nice touch. Bet there were quite a number of converts at that baptism! ^_^
Hope that helps. =)
2006-08-01 22:03:06 · answer #8 · answered by Hatake Seraph 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, He wanted to be as human as possible, and being human, He needed to be baptized to lead a holy lifestyle. Even if He was the son of God.
2006-08-01 22:06:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obedience. That is why the Father spoke and the Holy Spirit descended in the likeness of a dove, and it is why the Father was "well pleased".
Jesus fulfilled the ENTIRE law!
2006-08-01 22:15:16 · answer #10 · answered by claypigeon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋