Why was Jesus baptized?

Question

Why was Jesus baptized? If Jesus was God in the flesh he was without sin. I thought the purpose of baptism was to wash away your sins. So, why would Jesus need to be baptized?

Answer 1

As an example of what we were we do to show that we were willing to dedicate ourselves to do God's will. Water baptism is a public declaration of our faith and decision to serve God.
Also remember that after Jesus came up out of the water, God's voice said from above---"You are my Son--"
May we all be regarded as worthy of being called God's children.
LOBT

Answer 2

Jesus, in fact, was born a Jew and reared within the Jewish faith. The Jewish faith has long advanced the idea of a messiah and at the time of Jesus birth, the geographical area of the middle east was in both political and religous turmoil. Isreal was under the domination of the Romans (with their cult of the gods -- Jupiter, etc. which they tried (at some level) to impose on their subjated populace. At the same time, evolution in the Jewish faith had given rise to many charismatic preachers who expanded on the idea of the divine.

It is generally accepted that Jesus, prior to baptism, was not completely aware of his status. In the synoptic gospels, John the Baptist preches repentance before the coming of the judgment, baptism (rebirth) for forgivness of sins and the imminent arrival of the messiah. Jesus comes to the river Jordan and is baptised there by John. After the baptism, the heavens open, a spirit like a dove descents and God acclaims Jesus as his son. Jesus then goes to the wilderness where the devil tempts and when he returns from his contemplation, he beings his ministry.

Answer 3

We are to follow Him In baptism. Water baptism, which only follows conversion , is for a person to publicly identify with the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. An outward expression of an inward change. Water baptism does not save a person from eternal damnation

Answer 4

Question: "Why was Jesus baptized? Why was Jesus' baptism important?"

Answer: When Jesus came to John to be baptized, John asked the same question. Why should he, a sinful man, baptize the Messiah? He tried to prevent Jesus from being baptized saying “I need to be baptized by You and You are coming to me?” (Matthew 3:14). The baptisms that John performed symbolized repentance, and he saw this as inappropriate for the One he knew to be the spotless Lamb of God. Jesus replied that it should be done because “it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). Christ was here identifying Himself with sinners. He will ultimately bear their sins; His perfect righteousness will be imputed to them (2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, this act of baptism was a necessary part of the righteousness He secured for sinners. His was a perfect righteousness in that He fulfilled all the requirements of the Law which we, for whose sin He would exchange His righteousness, are not capable of fulfilling. He is our perfect substitute.

This baptism was a very public one and was recorded for all generations to know about and understand, and it is important for several reasons. First, it pictures His death and resurrection. Second, it symbolizes the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Third, it marks His first public identification with those whose sins He would bear. Fourth, the event was a public affirmation of His Messiahship by the testimony that came directly from heaven (Matthew 3:17).

Water baptism is used as a way to identify. In Jesus’ day, when a Gentile would convert to Judaism, he would have to be publicly baptized to identify him as a convert. Obviously, Jesus was not converting to anything. Jesus’ baptism was an identification of Jesus with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was baptized to publicly announce Himself as God’s Son, and to pronounce the beginning of His ministry with the Holy Spirit’s power. Jesus did not “need” the Holy Spirit. However, to set an example for us, Jesus emptied Himself (Philippians 2:7) and relied upon the Holy Spirit’s power. Jesus' baptism and reliance upon the Holy Spirit is an example that we are to follow in our own lives.

Answer 5

It was done to bring glory to God the father and show the work of the Trinity: Matthew 3: 16As 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. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Answer 6

John the Baptist was performing baptisms to try and get Jews to repent and return to the true Jewish beliefs. He believe that the main stream (no pun intended) Jewish leaders of the time had lost there way. This was his way of encouraging people to cleanse themselves of the past and go on a fresh start.

In the Christian tradition is was the public transition of John the Baptist as the last prophet to start of Jesus's public life.

Answer 7

He was the perfect teacher. He wanted to teach us how to have a personal relationship with God. He was a Jew, but He did not want us to become Jews. He got baptized in the beginning of His official business here. When He got baptized, we should too.

Answer 8

I think he was baptized because since not many people knew he was God in the flesh, he wanted to seem normal at that time.He wanted people to know if I Lord of all can get baptized, then so can you.

Answer 9

Jesus came and stated He was to fill ALL righteousness.By being washed [as the sacrifice had to be ] it was a witness to all to know that He was the Messiah and the sacrifice for all of mankind. God speaking in an audible voice saying , " This is my son in whom i am well pleased " WHY was that spoken for ALL that were there to hear that He was pleased with the sacrificial Lamb and to Him it was for a sweet smelling savor and acceptable . The Old Testament tells us plainly of the sacrifices preparations and how it was to be handled..... John Baptized Jesus in water to wash the sacrifice in the order of the Priests had to be.All of them had to wash before doing anything themselves as well as the sacrifice....Jesus being BOTH was immersed in water by John to Fulfill ALL Righteousness as He stated He had to perform . Jesus Being Righteousness , We when we are water Baptized accept that righteousness and that Outward Witness to the fact of Jesus' righteousness and His sacrifice for us [ nothing of us at all ], and as its written , Us having a good conscience TOWARDS God !! Baptism in water can not save nor does it wash away sins as some want to claim. All it takes is reading the Bible from beginning to end to see from the Old Testament it is simply explained all the way to the New Testament that Jesus fulfilled All of the Old and has now established the New . He nailed all ordinances and commandments of men to His cross, thus fulfilling them for us. Our righteousness is as filthy rags ( in other words we will never be righteous) But its His Righteousness we rely on and its His Holiness we depend upon, and its His Blood Atonement we are cleansed and saved by .Its All Jesus Christ and nothing to do with us .There is Nothing we can do , No Work at all except one and that is what Jesus stated saying, This is the Work," To believe on Him who He hath sent ." That's all any believer can do is Believe and have Faith in what Jesus Did for us. And HE did it All, and All alone . Don't understand why that is so hard to accept or Trust in or as Its written REST in , through HIS Spirit the Holy Ghost [ Why does everyone think you have to do something to gain His Free Gifts ?]

Answer 10

It was to show others that they should be baptized too.

He was the example. After He was baptized God sounded from the heaven proclaiming that Jesus was his Son, and that He was pleased with Him.