Why was Jesus baptized even though He was without sin? How old was He at the time?

Question

The age at which He was baptized was the law of public ministry, it was required. Now, if Jesus had been baptized by any other way other than by sprinkling of water (as it said at that time), would Jesus have broken God's law for public ministry? Some say He was imerged in water by His cousin John the Baptist. What's your take on this whole subject?

Answer 1

Jesus was baptized at age 30.

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.

Recommended Resource: Why Believe in Jesus?: Who He Is, What He Did, and His Message for You Today by Tim LaHaye.

Answer 2

Jesus was here to show us how to live and how to be saved he was our perfect example. the plan of salvation is to be born again of the water and of the spirit. that's why he went down in the Jordan river. its not enough to tell people how to be saved some people you have to show.
John the baptist baptized Jesus down IN the Jordan (mt.3:6)
mt 3:16 also Mark 1:10 said he came up straightway out of the water...then when Phillip baptized the eunuch "they both went down into the water" Acts 8:38
I don't think he was sprinkled. I don't think anyone was ever sprinkled in the new testament

Answer 3

exactly 30 years ( Tishri 15 year 29 C.E)

After you have made your dedication to God, you should be baptized. (Matthew 28:19, 20) Baptism lets everyone know that you have dedicated yourself to Jehovah. So baptism is only for those who are old enough to make a decision to serve God. When a person is baptized, his whole body should be put under the water momentarily. Mark 1:9, 10; Acts 8:36.

Isaiah 55:4 " Look! As a witness to the national groups I have given him, as a leader and commander to the national groups.

5 Look! A nation that you do not know you will call, and those of a nation who have not known you will run even to you, for the sake of Jehovah your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he will have beautified you. "

Jesus was witness of his father Jehovah (Luke 1:32 and Psalms 83:18)

Answer 4

Jesus was, according to the Jewish tradition cleansed *baptized* ...... Jesus , if people would read carefully, find out and see that Jesus came ONLY to preach and teach the Jewish people, with exception, therefore he lived the Jewish traditional way....... As a High Priest !!!!!!!! John the Baptist did perform the baptism of Jesus.... John, again if you read carefully , did not understand WHY he should or could perform this *cleaning* , he considered himself unworthy.... but he was, according to Gods plan, worthy .... Jesus' baptism had NOTHING to do with Gentiles..... At Jesus first advent, the Jewish people were taught, preached, the Kingdom Gospel... Jesus was part of the Israel People, a Jew, He taught in the Synagogues, Temples, He came to fulfill the *promise* given to Abraham, Issac and Jacob, and the Gentiles were NOT part of that earthly promise.... sorry, got carried away here, but to answer, Jesus was with out sin, but according to Jewish *LAW* which the people were still under, He, as the High Priest , had to be cleansed for the Temple...... I believe He was 30 when this took place....... go in peace........ God bless

Answer 5

Jesus was baptized by John The Baptist according to the New Testament. I think the reason was just to show that John was for real and that Jesus agreed with John`s teachings.

Answer 6

Jesus was baptised at the age of 30. Until he was baptised he was just a man on this earth and hadn't done any miricles. Once he was baptised he recieved the Holy Spirit, and began perfoming miricles, such as healing people, casting out demons, feeding the multitudes, etc. That's when his ministry really began. He died so that we could have that same Holy Spirit and do exactly the same things he did, and that is why it is so important to go to a church that believes in teaching about recieving the Holy Spirit. When we do it gives us the power to heal others, cast out demons, etc. Without the Holy Spirit we have very little power. The reason for being totally submerged in water is to symbolize that your old self has been put under and you are emerging to live for God. Hope this helps. God Bless

Answer 7

JESUS wasn't sprinkled, HE was "baptized" (The greek words Baptizo- TO DIP OR IMMERSE, Rantizo means to sprinkle)
HE was about 30 according to the scriptures.
The reason HE did it was for an example to us, HE was BOTH GOD and man fully.As a man HE had to bey EVERY commandment of GOD and HE did to "fulfill ALL righteousness" and it was for our examples.Now read John 3:1-5, Mark 16:15 Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 2:38,8:16, 8:29-38.,10:45-48,16:12-15,31-33,18:5-8 and 19:1-5.Youll see how the ORIGINAL church did it.

Answer 8

Jesus came to fulfilled all the Laws and The Prophets. He was born a child by the Holy Spirit. Grew up as a child and work in his earth father, Joseph's carpenter shop in Nazareth until He was 30 years old. Went to River Jordan where John The Baptist baptised Him and that's where God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit(Christ-means anointing) and declared , "This is my well-beloeved Son, Hear ye Him" Straight away Jesus Christ (was now a grown son and no more a child) led by the Holy Spirit into the Wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days. Pass the test and with the anointing of the Holy Spirit He went into the temple , read the scripture from Isaiah and declared, The Spirit of The Lord God is upon me to set the captives free and to preach the good news ...) (paraphrase) So He went about for about 3 years preaching The Kingdom of God and healing ALL that were sicks and deleivered those who are possessed with signs and miracles, except in places where there were unbelief - He can do nothing if people don't want it (to be saved and to be healed-which show God respect people's personal will and will not imposed Himself upon others if they are not willing) Live a sinless Life but crucified for the Sins of the World, Hell cannot hold Him - was buried , went to hell to preach to those souls in Noah's days who disbelieved , then ascended to Heaven and God the Father made Him to sit at His right hand and made HIM LORD. Therefore , He was born a child "Jesus", He was anointed at River Jordan and made a Son - "Christ" Then He died, was buried, rose from death and ascended to The Father and made "Lord" that at the name of "Jesus" all knees shall bowed and tongues confessed "HE IS LORD" For unto us a child is born = JESUS Unto us a Child is given, = CHRIST And the government shall be upon His shoulder = LORD He is THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Answer 9

According to the Levitical law When a priest was ordained He had to be bathed & anointed with oil signifing the Holy Spirit, that is what Jesus did to begain His public ministry. When He was baptized He was bathed, when the white dove decented on Him He was anointed, rememeber that He told John let it be so that all righteousness be fulfilled. read Lev. chapter 8. Peace & Love!!!

Answer 10

To fulfill the prophecies of His baptism and announcing His arrival. The first appearance of the Holy Spirit descending on a man for public recognition.