If Jesus was "free" of sin, why did he need baptizing?

Question

In the bible it tells of a mortal, John the Baptist, baptising the sinless Jesus. The baptism is the cleansing of previous sin, with the rising out of the water symbolising being clean, and having a fresh start. If Jesus was sinless, why the baptism?

Answer 1

Ha, another observation that stood before my eyes that I didn't even notice! Anyways, hmmm...maybe it was for his followers to follow his example! Dunno, good question though!

Answer 2

John himself questioned Yeshua on this matter, even saying that he, John, needed to be baptized by Yeshua. The baptism was not for nay need of Christ, but as a witness to others. Remember also, that this baptism occurred during the High Holy Days following Rosh Ha Shana (Head of the Year or New Year). At this time, it is customary for Jews to go to a large body of water to throw bread on it (tashlich) because the bread represents their sin. The theme for instruction at this time is repentance, which is what John the Baptizer (a Jew) preached in the waters of the Jordan.

Answer 3

Great question...

Baptism is an outward symbolism of an inner choice and relationship, not an actual cleansing. It's like waving a flag or wearing a badge of honor to reflect one's loyalty. Baptism follows discipleship.

Jesus was baptised to please His Father and to show His followers that He too obeys and honors His Father. He practiced what He preached.

Matthew 28:18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Answer 4

simply to fulfill "the law and the prophets".

yet the "catholic" and "christian" theo'ry'logical views of baptism have deceived you just as they have deceived multiplied millions of others.

first the "water baptism of repentance" was for the natural jew, for they had been ""baptized" into moses in the cloud and the sea" and it was needful for the jew to repent of their physical system of sacrifice for sin(turn away from moses) so that they might experience the forgiveness of sin, as revealed by The Life and Teachings of The Messiah, forgiveness which was of The Spirit, their sins "washed white as snow". The Messiah was a "jew" and it was needful for Him to fulfill all that was "in the law and the prophets" which He did!: Once a natural "jew" had received the outward "water baptism of repentance" they then could receive The Baptism of The Spirit, washed clean and forgiven of their sins..

if the natural "jew"would not repent of the old way, they could not receive of the New "Way to The Truth of The Life". The Messiah received of both baptisms, not because He had sinned, but so that He might fulfill "the law and the prophets". the letter to the hebrews, written to the natural "jew", testifies of baptisms. as for the gentile? The Baptism of The Spirit is the "One Baptism" testified to in the letter to the ephesians

it would be good for "catholics" and "christians" to realize that The Messiah testified, "the words that I speak are not My words, they are the words of My Father, HE WHO sent Me".......

finally The Testimonies bear witness to The Truth that The Messiah would baptize those who chose to follow Him on "The Way to The Truth of The Life" with "The Spirit and fire".

sad it is that so many choose to be disciples of john the baptist ;-(

yet, while there is breath(spirit) there is hope!

for Miracles do happen!

hope is there would be those who experience The Miracle that is "receiving a love of The Truth".

peace, in spite of the dis-ease(no-peace) that is of this wicked world.......

Answer 5

Matthew 3:13-17 records the baptism of Jesus this way: "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.' Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'"

Jesus did not need the Holy Spirit. However, He wanted to be an example to us, so He emptied Himself and relied upon the power of the Holy Spirit. Philippians 2:5-7 says, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." The baptism of Jesus and His reliance upon the Holy Spirit serves as an example for us.

Answer 6

What set the Jews different than for the the remainder of humanity replaced into circumcision of the boys on the age of 8 days. Baptism is a manufactured from Christianity. John the Baptist, Luke, James (the brother of Jesus), countless of the disciples, and doubtless even Jesus could have been contributors of or prompted by employing the Essene sect of Judaism. The Essenes bathed countless situations an afternoon, one in each and every of the transformations from the Orthodox faith. Jesus gained His project in the river with John the Baptist in accordance to Mark. In Matthew He replaced into conscious in early existence.

Answer 7

Read the passage - He did it to fulfill the law. If He had not then He would have been sinning. So He did it to continue to be sinless.
BTW the Bible does not teach that baptism cleanses you of previous sin. Jesus did not do it to be cleansed of sin, He never sinned.

Answer 8

Jesus was baptized as a profession of his love for the Lord, and to lead by way of example. The baptism is a public profession of your faith and your acceptance of Christ as your personal Savior.

Answer 9

Lets us recall what Jesus told John the baptist, in verse 15 of Matt chapter 3 it was to "fulfill" all righteousness He Jesus the second member of The Godhead is our example, plus He was baptized for those who could NOT be because of there situation and as an example, the thief on the cross for example who accepted Jesus as His savior but could not be baptized because of his situation, and remember He Jesus is our example in all things and He was leading a path we must IF we love Him keep all His commandments must follow, hay find out much more free bible lessons www.itiswritten.com bible questions www.bibleinfo.com talk to me also [e-mail]

Answer 10

Don't know the timing of it in relationship to his baptism but if memory serves me correctly didn't Jesus condemn a fig tree to bear no more fruit(in effect killing it)when he came out of the desert after his forty day fast(lent)

Answer 11

There may be deeper meanings but simply - it was an act of submission- Jesus walked Torah, God's perfect instruction , perfectly- He did everything that was commanded of him so that we would know and understand what was commanded and expected of us. He left no room for saying "well, Jesus did not do that so if I am followo=ing Jesus, then I don't have to" He was fully god but fully man and his fully man self was fully in submission and fully obedient to God.
In being baptised He was fulfilling, making perfect a command of God and giving example to us .