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QUESTION 7:
Why was Jesus baptized? Did He become as others did, a disciple of John the Baptist?

ANSWER:
There are three distinct water baptisms in the Bible. John's baptism, Acts 19:3, Christian baptism in Acts 16:33, and Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3:17. John's was a conditional baptism where one repented, and then believed on Jesus' coming. Acts 19:4. The order was this way, they repented, and they were baptized for (unto, toward), the remission of their sins. Then they were to believe on Him when He came, that He would baptize them in the Holy Ghost. Christian baptism is best understood here, "...that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43. They repented, they believed, they were forgiven, and then they received the Holy Spirit. The baptism of Jesus is explained in John 1:31-34. John the Baptist told why he was baptizing Jesus, because "He (Christ) may be manifest to Israel." He goes on to say that He "bore record that this is the Son of God." John later states, "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." 1 John 5:6. The "water" baptism is what introduced Christ as a Jew amongst them, the Messiah, and, "...the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29. The blood was the testimony of this when in His death, He made the provision for man to be saved.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen