Lesson 3-16 Water Baptism? Part 3 The Baptism of Jesus

I have been asked to give my understanding on water baptism, its relationship to the Body of Christ, and should we be practicing it today?

As always I will be sharing the teachings and understanding as I believe the Lord Jesus has shown to me by study, and through the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

I never encourage anyone to believe anything that I believe, without them first studying it out for themselves. If they come to a different understanding than myself, that is ok, as there is liberty in the Lord for us to not see all things the same, at the same time.

Now as we continue this study of water baptism I will repeat the guidelines we are using, just in case this is the first lesson you read.  This will benefit all the readers such that each lesson can stand on its own merit.

Introduction: Guidelines for this study; 

1. We are treating the living words of the living God as spoken by the Lord Jesus and given to the Apostle Paul for the Body of Christ the same importance, as the words of the Lord Jesus recorded in red letters in the books of Matthew – Acts Chp. 8, as what should be known as the instructions to the nation Israel.
2. We will not be wresting the scriptures against each other, we will look at the verses in their context, and we will not try to make them say anything but what they say.
3. We will be using the verses out of the Authorized Version, commonly known as the KJV. It is fine if you want to look the verses up in other translations if you like, but we will consider the Authorized Version as our final written authority.
4. We will not be using the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, or Latin languages to prove any points, or give any indication that the Authorized Version has been incorrectly translated.

Different types of baptisms that are recorded in the scriptures and definitions. 

1. Water Baptism – The practice of the religious rite of sprinkling water onto a person's forehead, or of immersion of a person in water, or dipping a person in water, or pouring water on a persons head and body. (For this study the mode of water baptism is inconsequential, the fact water is involved is enough for our study)
2. Baptism of John – This is the practice of water baptism as performed by John the Baptist. (Matt. 3;11 Matt. 21;25 Mark 11;30 Luke 7;29 20;4 John 1;31 Acts 1;22 Acts 18;25 )
3. Baptism of Repentance – This also is water baptism as practiced by John and administered to sinners and publicans. (Matt. 3;6,11 Mark 1;4 Luke 3;3 Acts 13;24)
4. Baptism of the Holy Ghost – This is spiritual baptism with the Holy Ghost. (First mentioned by John the Baptist in reference to Jesus.) Pay attention and notice, John said that Jesus would be the one baptizing with the Holy Ghost, not water.) (Matt 3;11 Mark 1;8 Luke 3;16 John 1:33)
5. Baptism of Fire – Dictionary definition; an introductory or initial experience that is a severe ordeal, (this baptism is spiritual in nature and does not include any water). (Matt. 3;11)
6. Baptism of Moses – This applies to the nation of Israel who was baptized in the cloud and sea. (1^st Cor. 10;2) (This is an Old Testament event and happened when Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt.)
7. Baptism for the dead – vicarious baptism or proxy baptism today commonly refers to the religious practice of baptizing a person on behalf of one who is dead—a living person receiving the rite on behalf of a deceased person. Baptism for the dead is best known as a doctrine of the Latter Day Saint movement, which has practiced it since 1840. (For this study we will not be dealing with this subject I only include it so that you know I am aware of this practice. But to just so you know, I don’t believe that it was something Paul believed the Body of Christ was supposed to be performing. (1^st Cor. 15:29)

Now let's continue our study and see if we can determine with the help of the Holy Spirit the answers to, “The relationship of water baptism to the Body of Christ?” “Should the Body of Christ practice water baptism?” “What did Paul believe and teach concerning water baptism as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus?”.

I personally believe when we get to the end of this study, that we will with the help of the Holy Spirit have a clear understanding on the doctrine of water baptism, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit.

Now when we left off in the last lesson, we determined that the one, and only reason that John the Baptist was baptizing with water, was to make Jesus manifest to the Nation Israel. (Definition of manifest;   adjective clear or obvious to the eye or mind,  verb display or show by one's acts or appearance; demonstrate)

Now let’s look at the water baptism of Jesus, we find it recorded in the books Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John with varying degrees of information included in each book about John’s baptism of Jesus.

Matt 3 [1] In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

[2] And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [5] Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, [6] And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.[7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?[8] Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: [11] I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Repentance definition; the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings.

In the verses above concerning the preaching of John the Baptist, we see that his baptism message was one of repentance, and dealt with people confessing their sins. Notice when the Pharisees and Sadducees showed up to his baptism, he calls them vipers, and tells them they need to bring forth works that show their sincerity of repentance.

Now when dealing with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, it is of uppermost importance to understand that John’s Baptism was for repentant sinners, and the purpose of his baptism was to make Jesus manifest to Israel!

Matt 3 [13] Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. [14] But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? [15] And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Now we have recorded for us the discussion between John the Baptist, and Jesus, just prior to Jesus’s baptism with water. Jesus tells John, he wants him (John) to baptize him (Jesus), to which John replies that he needs Jesus to baptize him. “I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?”

The reason that John tells Jesus that he needs be baptized of him, is because he clearly stated that he was baptizing with water, but Jesus was going to be baptizing with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

John the Baptist recognized his need to be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

In the simplest of terms, when Jesus baptized with the Holy Ghost it was for salvation, and when Jesus baptized with fire it was for judgement.

As we continue to study this interaction between John and Jesus, Jesus tells John that he (John) has to baptize him (Jesus) so that they could fulfil all righteousness.

Now I want you to get this John’s baptism was for sinners, Jesus was not a sinner!

2nd Cor. 5 [19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. [20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. [21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Jesus did not submit to, nor was he baptized for any of his sins because he was without sin! 

Jesus was baptized for our sins! 

Col.2 [14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Jesus was fulfilling the Law by being baptized, so that when he died on that cruel cross he could say it was finished, and could offer salvation for all who would receive him. He accomplished everything needed to freely offer salvation, apart from any works, to everyone who would receive him!

Matt 3  [16] And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: [17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 1 [9] And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. [10] And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

Luke 3 [21] Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, [22] And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

John 1 [28] These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. [29] The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. [30] This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. [31] And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. [32] And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. [33] And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

In the verses above concerning Jesus, we now very clearly see that after Jesus was baptized, that the heavens opened, the Holy Ghost descends, God the Father speaks the words thou art my beloved Son. The purpose of John’s water baptism was fulfilled, with Jesus the Christ being made manifest to the nation of Israel! 

Summary of items from John’s Baptism of Jesus;

1. John recognizes Jesus as the “Lamb of God” as soon as he sees him.
2. John then tells Jesus, “I have need to be baptized of thee”, John feels he needs Jesus to baptize him, instead of him baptizing Jesus, as he is aware that Jesus is going to be baptizing with the Holy Ghost/ Holy Spirit.
3. Jesus then tells John, no deal you must baptize me with water so that we can “fulfil all righteousness”.
4. John tells the Pharisees and Sadducees that he is “baptizing with water” so that Jesus can “be made manifest to Israel”.
5. John baptizes Jesus in water, and the heavens open and “the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased”.

Now at this point we have established some very important Bible truths, which are often overlooked when people just read their Bible like a novel, instead of studying their Bible like the textbook it is, (authored and inspired by God, transcribed by man). 

1. We have learned there are a lot of different modes of water baptism being practiced today. Some groups baptize by sprinkling, some by pouring, some by immersion, some face forward, etc. with no clear cut directions from the scripture on whether one is better than another.
2. We have clearly established the water baptism that John the Baptist was practicing, was one of repentance for sinners.
3. We have established that Jesus was not being baptized for any sins that he had committed, but to fulfill all righteousness.
4. We have established John’s water baptism had one purpose, and that purpose was to make Jesus known to Israel.
5. We have established that when the heavens opened;
1. the spirit of God descended upon Jesus,
2. God said from heaven this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,
3. Jesus was certainly made manifest by these actions of the Living God, and is the promised Messiah.
6.  Jesus was now made manifest to the nation Israel!

As we continue our study of God’s Holy Word we will focus on the information we have gathered so far, as this will help us to arrive at a sound doctrinal position on the subject of water baptism in the near future.

Most of all we truly desire that the correct answer be understandable, defendable, and have the Holy Spirit bear witness that the answers are the true, and correct, interpretation.

I have come to understand all the confusion among Christianity/Christians today can be attributed to the fact that the church, the Body of Christ, does not recognize the separate, distinct, and unique apostleship, ministry, and message of Paul.

I believe if you fail to understand, or fail to learn how to rightly divide the word of truth, you can never come to the knowledge of the truth, and sound doctrine.

As we conclude another lesson, I hope you will go and study it out as we get ready for part four when we will look at the baptism of Paul and his teaching on the subject of water baptism.

As far as spiritual discernment, when you know where to get your doctrine from, you will no longer be a confused Christian, or an easy target by the sleight of men to deceive you.

Romans 10 [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The words of our Apostle Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles!

2Tim.2 [15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Come join with us as we study God’s Holy Word!

Remember most unsound Bible Doctrine, is sound Bible Doctrine misapplied to the wrong time period, or wrong group of people.

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