John the baptist seemed a little bemused when Jesus asked John to baptize him. It makes sense, because Jesus was the true son of God- whereas John the baptist was basically a "regular" man (although he was important, as well).
So why did Jesus ask John to baptize him?
And, did this baptism take place in the river Jordan?
Thank you.
Praise the Lord! : )
2007-08-27 03:00:57 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Often this question is asked because people wonder why Jesus would need to be baptized since he was perfect. John said, “I baptize you with water for repentance” (Matthew 3:11). To repent means to leave behind a lifestyle of sin, for a life of righteousness. Since Jesus had no sins from which to repent, why would he need to submit to a symbol of repentance? John himself had the same question. “But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’” (Matthew 3:14).
Baptism was not invented by John. It had been in use for some time as a symbol of conversion to Judaism. Yet John was doing something different. He was calling on Jews to be baptized! They were already Jewish, so why would they need it? Because religion does not make one right before God. John called upon the people to turn from their wickedness and prepare for the coming Messiah. Then that Messiah came and was himself baptized!
Jesus was not baptized because he needed to repent, but because he was the Messiah. The term “Messiah” means, “anointed one.” Here Jesus is anointed by water and the Holy Spirit. This event marks the beginning of his public ministry. Also by doing this Jesus is identifying himself with John’s message of repentance. Jesus told people to follow him. This involved the necessary step of leaving their sins behind.
Further Jesus is our substitute and representative before God the Father. So here he is identifying himself with his followers who he would later command to be baptized. Jesus is the leader. So he is setting the example that others should follow.
Jesus replies to John’s objection by saying, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). Jesus’ baptism demonstrates that he is set apart for God’s special purpose. It also shows that he has the approval of God the Father. This is a little like Jesus’ ordination service. “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’” (Matthew 3:16-17). Jesus was given the authority and blessing from God to begin and carry out his ministry.
We also are commanded to follow in his footsteps. “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20, The Message). Being baptized marks the beginning of a lifetime of following Jesus and obeying him. Without obedience, baptism becomes an empty ritual. Jesus was our example, both in his baptism and in his life.
And yes, it was in the Jordan River. (See Matthew 3:6"They were baptized by him in the Jordan River." Jesus is baptized in 3:13 - "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John")
2007-08-28 07:44:25 · answer #1 · answered by Philippian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was baptized by John in the river Jordan as an example for us to follow. Jesus was fully immersed under water, not sprinkled or touched with water. The Bible indicates in Acts 2:38 that we must repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins and we will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is what is indicated in John chapter 3 when Jesus is speaking with Nicodemus about being born again.
2007-08-27 03:17:21 · answer #2 · answered by Blondie11 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
John was baptizing as a sort of cleansing ritual. Jesus was sinless and in fact asked Jesus to baptize Him.
2016-05-19 00:59:47 · answer #3 · answered by stormy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
John had the priesthood authority. Jesus set an example for us. It was in the Jordan by immersion. ( I always laugh when I see the Jeffery Hunter version of the King of Kings. Jesus goes waist deep in the water just to have John put a wet hand on his head.)
2007-08-27 03:39:06 · answer #4 · answered by Isolde 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
There was no such thing as 'baptism' at the time Jesus lived; it is a Christian concept, and as we all know Christianity did not develop until well after Jesus was crucified by the Romans.
Jesus was a religious Jew; he was born Jewish and he died Jewish. In Judaism, we don't have an equivalent of a baptism, because we don't believe in 'original sin'; we believe that children are born totally innocent.
2007-08-27 03:35:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus explained the reason to John:
Matt 3:15: "15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him."
Jesus was fulfilling the law and He was showing us the example we should follow.
Yes, it took place in the river Jordan.
Matt 3:13: "13 ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him."
2007-08-27 03:08:38 · answer #6 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Because John was head of the old testament church. John was not aligned with any established temple or church of the day, but rather, stood alone outside org.rel. The church of the wilderness. Nowadays he would be called an atheist. (Make the paths straight in the desert). John's head was cut off after this event, and Jesus became Head of the wilderness church. John and his people became the body of the new testament church.
2007-08-27 03:12:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
To fulfill all righteousness. Jesus had no sin, so he did not need to be baptized, which is a picture of cleansing from sin. Jesus was predestined from the foundation of the world to be our sinbearer. In this role, he accepted baptism on our behalf.
2007-08-27 03:11:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because every single word and action of Jesus Christ from start to finish, was a teaching. It was teaching for you and I, today. Even on the Cross, Jesus was teaching. People think that when he prayed
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" that Jesus was feeling abandoned by
God: not true at all. This was teaching;
Jesus was reciting psalms 22 and 23, to tell you that this event was fulfilling prophecy that was written 1000 years beforehand.
Jesus NEVER CALLED God "God", he always called him "Father".
Your answer is simple: to teach.
2007-08-27 03:07:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes in the river Jordan, and My guess is that he was sitting an example for the rest of us to live by. why would you tell people to go and do this or that if you are not willing to do it your self
2007-08-27 03:19:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋