BAPTISM OF JESUS

SPECIAL TOPIC: BAPTISM OF JESUS

Why Jesus was baptized has always been a concern for believers because John’s baptism was a baptism
of repentance. Jesus did not need forgiveness for He was sinless (cf. John 8:46; Acts 3:14; Rom. 8:3; 2 Cor. 5:21;
Heb. 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 John 3:5). The theories have been as follows:

it was an example for believers to follow
it was His identification with believers’ need
it was His ordination and equipping for ministry
it was a symbol of His redemptive task
it was His approval of the ministry and message of John the Baptist
it was prophetic of His death, burial, and resurrection (cf. Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12)

Whatever the reason, this was a defining moment in Jesus’ life. Although it does not imply that Jesus
became the Messiah at this point (adoptionism). It held great significance for Him.