Jesus, by getting baptized, introduces the concept of baptism by the Holy Spirit a seal of our inheritance with God. He brings home the significance of baptism today. What happens when we get baptized by water and the Spirit that seals our salvation?
Presentation Overview
Matt 3:13-17, Mark 1.9-11; Lk 3:21,22; John 1:29-34
- Objectives
- Introduction
- Baptism of John
- Baptism of Jesus
- Seal of The Holy Spirit
- New Creation
- Discussion
Objectives
To understand:
- The meaning of baptism
- The significance of baptism
- Why Jesus got baptized
- Jesus command to His disciples
- Transformation as disciples of Christ
Theme Verse
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Other References:John 3:5, 1 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17
Water for Repentance
John:
-
- Preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
- Preached the kingdom of heaven is near
- People confessed their sins and were baptized by him in the Jordan river
- Jesus was also baptized by John
Mathew 3:6
Meaning of baptism
Originates from a Greek word “bapto” that means “To plunge or to immerse” (ie. To go under)
Introduced in Jewish culture as ceremonial washing of hands (before a meal) or immersion (with sprinkling of blood) for purification. [1]
Later used by Jews for Gentiles, as ritual bath while converting to Judaism.
Jewish Conversion
A Gentile converting to a Jew had to go through:
- Baptism
- Circumcision (more important, called a seal [4])
- Offer a sacrifice (Korban) in a temple
- Even children (of converted parents) could be baptized, but had to reconfirm their faith as an adult.[2][3]
Significance of baptism
The bath was an outward sign that the people were dying to the old life and were being resurrected to the new life.
Today, baptism is a testimony to the world on a person’s:
- Identification and commitment to Christ.
- Cleansing from sin and renewal in Christ.
- Death to sin (Romans 6:3) and rising to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4)
The baptism of jesus
Matt 3:13-15
13 Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” 15 But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he *permitted Him.
The baptism of Jesus
Matthew 3:16,17
16 After being baptized.. behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
Why did Jesus get baptized?
Jesus was:
- Obedient to God’s commandment.
- Sinless and needed no repentance.
- Baptized to fulfill all righteousness.
- Acknowledged by God as His Son.
This event signified the beginning of his public ministry.
The seal of the Holy Spirit
A Gentile converting to a Jew had to go through:
- Baptism
- Circumcision (more important, called a seal [4])
- Offer a sacrifice (Korban) in a temple
- Even children (of converted parents) could be baptized, but had to reconfirm their faith as an adult.[2][3]
The Seal of the Holy Spirit
This seal is the true sign of baptism. There maybe those baptised who are not sealed and vice versa, but once the permanent seal of the Holy Spirit is stamped on our lives, we remain His forever.
Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Baptism, a command of Jesus
Matthew 18:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
A new creation
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come”
Why did Jesus get baptized?
Jesus was:
- Obedient to God’s commandment.
- Sinless and needed no repentance.
- Baptized to fulfill all righteousness.
- Acknowledged by God as His Son.
This event signified the beginning of his public ministry.
Recap
Matthew 18:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Reflection
Have you accepted Jesus as your Saviour?
Have you obeyed the commandment of baptism?
How has your self life died?
Is Jesus the Lord in every area of your life?
Have you experienced the inward transformation?
Are you reflecting the light of Jesus to people around you?
References
- Baptism by Kaufmann Kohler, Samuel Krauss
- Robinson, George. Essential Judaism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs, Customs and Rituals. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000. ISBN 0-671-03480-4, pgs 229–232.
- “What is Conservative Judaism?”. Shamash.org. Retrieved 2012-07-21.
- Schlatter, “Die Kirche Jerusalems,” 1898, p. 70)