“Baptized in Obedience”
Matthew 3:13-17
Baptism is an issue of obedience to God, not a matter of salvation.
Baptism is a Conscious Choice
Baptism is a Matter of Obedience
Baptism is a Public Declaration
Baptism is a Conscious Choice
Matthew 3:13, NKJV
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
Jesus did everything with intention. He operated under the direction of the Father
through the instruction of the Holy Spirit in the same way all of God’s people ought to be
living their lives. Jesus expressed this when He spoke with the Pharisees by saying,
“…Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do
nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also
does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He
Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel…I
can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do
not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:19-20, 30, NKJV).
Everything that is done outside of God’s will is of the person’s personal desire and
preferences. Jesus is saying that He does what the Father desires rather than what He
desires when He proclaims He “…can do nothing of Himself…” and “…I can of Myself do
nothing…”. Jesus chose to do what He saw the Father doing and what the Father desired
for Him to do. This also made the judgments of Jesus consistent with the perfect and
righteous judgments of the Father in heaven who sent Jesus into the world to do the
Father’s will rather than His own will.
The first step of beginning the ministry God the Father sent His Son to accomplish
was to identify with the lives of those He came to save from the bondage of sin. This
meant participating in the baptism of repentance. Jesus had nothing of Himself from
which He personally needed to repent from, but He was going to be taking on the sins of
the world to receive the full wrath of God on sin for sinners (Romans 5:6-10).
John the Baptist did not invent or come up with the idea or concept of baptism.
The washing with water to ceremonially cleanse a person was given by God in the Law.
In the celebration of the Day of Atonement the command to wash as a manner of
cleansing was something that was common. Leviticus 16:26-28, “And he who released the
goat as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward
he may come into the camp. The bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering,
whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried
outside the camp. And they shall burn in the fire their skins, their flesh, and their offal.
Then he who burns them shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and
afterward he may come into the camp” (NKJV, emphasis added). The concept of water
being used for cleansing was given to the people by God early on when He introduced His
laws to them as His people. Those who became ceremonially unclean were provided a
means of becoming ceremonially clean again.
It is recorded in Exodus 30:17-21 Aaron and the other priests were to wash their
hands and feet in the bronze basin before entering into the tabernacle, approaching the
altar to serve, and prior to presenting burnt offerings. Disobedience made a person
unclean and in need of cleansing. Bodily discharges also in connection with a disease,
menstruation, and child birth were also considered unclean (Leviticus 13:34, 15:8-12, 19-
24). There were many washings due to uncleanness. Places to wash were publicly
provided for in such places like the Pool of Siloam and Bethesda which are regarded by
many New Testament scholars as being places for people to perform ceremonial
washings. Understanding this gives insight to the significance of Jesus telling the blind
man to, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and
washed, and came back seeing” (John 9:7, NKJV).
This understanding of ritual washing was understood as making oneself suitable
for the presence of God. It is the washing off of uncleanness and provides the one washing
with a sense of newness. In each case there is a choice made by a person to be cleansed
before the Lord for service and the ability to worship Him. Jesus’ choice to go into the
waters of repentance was in obedience to the will of the Father in preparation to be the
ultimate sacrifice as the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world (John
1:29).
Therefore, Jesus going to John the Baptist in the beginning of His ministry was
done from a knowledge of what He had been sent into the world to do. Jesus told Pilate
when He stood before his judgment, “…You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I
was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the
truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37, NKJV emphasis added).
The Gospel writer John was inspired to describe Jesus as, “And the Word became flesh
and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the
Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, NKJV emphasis added).
The truth is, mankind is hopelessly and helplessly lost in their sinful nature with
only one means of salvation available. Salvation from the wrath of God is only through
the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus who became sin for people to pay the
penalty for sin once and for all (Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21).
The truth about life is that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but the
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord who saves us from the wrath of the
Father on sin (Romans 3:23, 6:23). Jesus willingly identified with people in their
sinfulness so that He could be the sacrifice for sin on their behalf.
The baptism of repentance that John performed was different from the ceremonial
washing or the symbolic washings found in Jewish traditions. It is also different from the
believer’s baptism that is practiced by much of the Church. John’s baptism was a,
“…confession of sin and of the need of moral cleansing, and was a symbol of forgiveness
and of moral purity…”… but did not imply entrance into [the kingdom of God] itself” as
the baptism of believers practiced by the Church (ISBN: 0-8028-3781-6, pg. 418). Jesus
was coming to John for baptism out of a need to be connected with mankind who He
would die on behalf of who were in need of moral cleansing, forgiveness, and moral purity
in their lives. This is impossible for people to know and experience until they in faith turn
to Christ in acceptance of their sinfulness and His sinless offering to God on their behalf.
It is for this reason those who confess their faith in Christ as the Son of God,
believe He was killed for their transgressions, and raised bodily on the third day from the
grave, ascended into heaven, and is returning just as He promised must follow Jesus into
the waters of baptism out of obedience to publicly proclaim their confession of faith.
Baptism is a Matter of Obedience
Matthew 3:14-15, NKJV
And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You
coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is
fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
The confusion for John was that Jesus was coming to Him for a baptism of
repentance when there was nothing that He had to or ever would need to repent of in His
own life. John recognized his need to be baptized by Jesus rather than to baptize Jesus.
John knew what his calling to ministry was under the authority of God. “…I am
‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’…I
baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He
who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to
loose…I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I
did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom
you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the
Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God” (John 1:22-34,
NKJV).
John the Baptist was approximately six months older than Jesus who was related
to him through Mary (Luke 1:11-17, 36-37). The prophecies surrounding John and Jesus’
birth had to have been known at least among the family as they were growing up. There
does not seem to have been interaction between Jesus and John prior to their encounter
at this time of Jesus’ baptism. Yet, they had some knowledge of one another from the
conversation that was recorded by Matthew.’
Jesus persuaded John to baptize Him by saying, “…for thus it is fitting for us to
fulfill all righteousness”. There are three words that stand out which need to be
understood in order to comprehend the obedience issue that is of concern for those who
have committed their life to following Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Jesus said it is fitting. The Messiah is described by the writer of Hebrews as,
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise
shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of
death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their
lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give
aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren,
that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make
propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being
tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:14-18, NKJV).
It was proper for Jesus to come to John to be baptized since He was made like people in every
way in order to be a sacrifice on their behalf. Jesus’ baptism was a symbol of His
connection with people who were hopelessly lost in their sin who in His perfection would
supply them with the means of redemption they so desperately were in need of receiving.
Jesus also said His baptism was to fulfill. All that Jesus did and said during His
earthly ministry was spoken of by the prophets of the Old Testament as signs for them to
look for and be able to identify the Messiah of God when He arrived. Isaiah 53:8-9
proclaimed, “He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His
generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My
people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked—But with the rich at
His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth” (NKJV).
Jesus is the Suffering Servant spoken of in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. His death brought
forgiveness to those who belong to God because there was no sin found within Him, even
though Jesus died condemned as a criminal. People are law breakers; God is the Lawmaker
who satisfied the law in Himself. This has provided redemption from the wrath of
God on sin because Jesus suffered condemnation from God on their behalf. Jesus
therefore fulfilled what was said about Him by coming before John to be baptized in the
waters of repentance.
Lastly, Jesus said it was to fulfill righteousness sake. Jesus identifies Himself as
the righteous Judge when He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and
now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.
For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,
and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man”
(John 5:25-27. NKJV). Jesus proclaimed the need to be baptized with the waters of
repentance to be connected with sinful mankind as their perfect sacrificial Lamb before
God the Father. Christ judged the sin of all mankind by entering into the waters of
repentance Himself. The righteous act of obedience was all part of God’s plan which is
why Jesus insisted that John baptize Him.
Baptism is also a matter of obedience for those who follow Christ as Savior and
Lord of their lives. Publicly entering into the waters of baptism is a proclamation of the
change God has brought about in a person’s life and their commitment to worship and
service of God. Jesus accepted the ministry of the cross to die on behalf of mankind, and
people are called to accept the cross of Christ proclaiming our death with Him and life in
Him through the ordinance of baptism.
Baptism is unnecessary for salvation which is evidenced by Apostle Paul in
Romans 10:9-10, “…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your
heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one
believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
(NKJV). Jesus also speaks of the requirement of being welcomed into the kingdom of God
when He said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of
heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21, NKJV) and
“…“Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around in a circle at those who
sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the
will of God is My brother and My sister and mother” (Mark 3:33-35, NKJV).
The one who places their trust and faith in Christ should never be overly concerned
about performing or under-performing for God since salvation has nothing to do with
works but is completely based on the grace of God through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). This
was confirmed by the exchange between Jesus and the one thief who was being crucified
with Jesus who said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus
said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42-
43, NKJV). The thief had a short time to live without any opportunity to do anything in
the service of others or Christ, but simply by faith was guaranteed by Jesus that he
would be with Him where He was going.
Those of this world have convinced many people that their faith is a private matter
and should not be shared with anyone. Jesus makes it clear in the passages of Scripture
that have been touched upon that it is a matter of public obedience to proclaim faith in
Christ. Denying Christ on this earth is not only rejection of Him but also remaining silent
about Him. Jesus said, “For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter
against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s
enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me
is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew
10:35-38, NKJV). Baptism is the perfect way to proclaim faith in Christ since it publicly
proclaims your sinfulness, Christ’s death on your behalf, and His redemption of your life.
Baptism is a Public Declaration
Matthew 3:16-17, NKJV
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water;
and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from
heaven, saying, “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew records that Jesus came up immediately from the water. This clearly
reveals that Jesus was immersed in the water. This was a full commitment to the will of
the Father that He chose to be committed to out of obedience. Then there was the audible
voice of God proclaiming from heaven, “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased”. Jesus’ obedience also brought about visible confirmation of the Father’s words
by “the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him”.
These were more than comfort and confirmation to Jesus personally, but also a
public proclamation of Jesus literally being the Son of God. We must never forget that
Jesus was completely human as well as completely God at the same time. It was for this
reason the devil attempted to tempt Jesus by sowing doubt into His heart as He once
before did with Adam and Eve. The serpent said to the woman, “… “Has God indeed said,
‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” and later said to Jesus, “…If You are the
Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Genesis 3:1, NKJV; Matthew 4:2,
NKJV). Jesus was told by God at His baptism that He was His Beloved Son and that He
was pleased with Him. Yet the first thing the devil challenges Jesus with after He has
been alone for forty days is “…If You are the Son of God…”.
The most frustrating thing about following God is what happens when a public
proclamation of faith in baptism or testimony of the salvation found in Christ is made by
a person. There is a flood of temptation and struggle that comes after publicly identifying
oneself as a follower of Christ. The struggle is caused by the declaration of war against
the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, and the spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the heavenly places that baptism and testifying to salvation of the Lord
makes. God’s people are a threat to the kingdom of darkness and will be fought against in
order to minimize the growth of the kingdom of God by way of people coming to faith in
Christ Jesus.
Those who choose to be disobedient to the Lord’s direction to proclaim their
allegiance to Him in baptism and testifying of the Lord to others miss out on seeing God
do the miraculous through them and in their lives. They choose to build upon the
foundation of Christ with wood, hay, and straw as Apostle Paul spoke about in 1
Corinthians 3:12-15, “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious
stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it,
because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s
work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire”
(NKJV). These individuals are still part of the kingdom of God, but did not build on the
foundation of Christ in their lives. They are more concerned with their comfort rather
than serving God with a genuine desire to see Christ lifted up in their lives so others
would be drawn to Him in repentance.
The announcement that Jesus was God’s Son by the Father from heaven was the
fulfillment of Psalm 2:7, “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My
Son, Today I have begotten You” (NKJV). The willing obedience of God’s people and their
public proclamation of faith is what undeniably reveals God through them. The apostles
had this same attitude and refused to stop doing what they knew God had commanded
them to do in spite of the cost and discomfort they had to endure. The high priest threw
the apostles in prison, but God sent His angels to release them and instructed them to
continue preaching the name of Jesus (Acts 5:17-21). Their miraculous escape from prison
and strength to do what was impossible for them came through the Holy Spirit’s power to
help them do what they could not do themselves.
The high priest questioned them saying, “…Did we not strictly command you not to
teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to
bring this Man’s blood on us!” But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We
ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:28-29, NKJV). The world is still telling the
people of God to stop speaking about Jesus and the salvation and forgiveness that He
offers to all who will place their faith in Him as the Son of God.
If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, God in the flesh, who took all
your sins upon Himself when He died for you in your place, that God raised Him from the
dead on the third day, after which He ascended into heaven, and is preparing to return
again, will you publicly proclaim your faith and submission to His will today in the
ordinance of baptism?
