If Jesus was sinless, why did he have to get baptized?

[thaiv]

I think this is a good question to ask. Please reply and submit answers. After enough replies I will give my own answer that I think to be true.

 

[theseed]

I think this is a good question to ask. Please reply and submit answers. After enough replies I will give my own answer that I think to be true.

baptism does not wash away sins, it is a symbol, and here it was done by John the Baptist who testified about the Messiah that he would come and wash away all sins. Many people were baptized to show that they were repenting of thier sins, and to show it publically, this was Jesus testimony of his public ministry an who he was. Ephasis mine

Matthew 3
The Baptism of Jesus

13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."



John 1
19Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ.[7] "
21They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"
He said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No."
22Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
23John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "[8]
24Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"
26"I baptize with[9] water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. 27He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."
28This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

Emphasis mine

 

[Cara J]

My Zondervan NIV Bible gives some good commentary on this question.
The Commentary is based on Matthew 3:15 where John the Baptist is going to baptize Jesus. (Please do not confuse the commentary with actual verses from the Bible, because this is simply that, commentary, not verses or scipture)

It says:
"There were several reasons for his baptism:

1. The first mentioned here was "to fulfill all righteousness". The babtism indicated that he was consecrated to God and officially approved by him, as especially shown in the descent of the Holy Spirit (v.16) and the words of the Father (v.17) All God's righteous requirements for the Messiah were fully met in Jesus.

2. At Jesus' baptism John publicly announced the arrival of the Messiah and inception of his ministry (Jn 1:31-34)

3. By his baptism Jesus completely identified himself with man's sin and failure (though he himself needed no repentance or cleansing from sin), becoming our substitute (2 Cor 5:21)

4. His baptism was an example to his followers."

I think this commentary is provides some very good answers to your question.

Please respond with other interpretations of Jesus' baptism for I am always interested in learning and growing!

God Bless,
Cara

 

[mormonsniper]

What an example Jesus set for us. Even HE, in all his perfection, was baptized "in all rightousness". He too followed the rule that you must be baptized before you can enter into the kingdom of God.

1 John 3:3-7

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Baptism is a similitude of Christ's death and resurrection. We repent, we are baptized, and take upon us the name of the Savior. This is a (public) and conscious acceptance of the will of God.

Here's a question: Were children baptized?

 

[tinkerbell]

Jesus did it to set an example for us.

 

[ChrisB]

He too followed the rule that you must be baptized before you can enter into the kingdom of God.

1 John 3:3-7

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

How then do you explain Jesus promise to the thief on the cross?

Luke 23

42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

The thief did not have the opportunity to be baptised and so I accept that baptism is the norm but it cannot be absolutely essential.

Also the passage you quote refers to being "born again" rather than baptised. I agree you must be born again but this is not identical to baptism.

 

[mormonsniper]

"paradise in Luke 23:43.

 

[Angeldove97]

The Word, in Bible terms, usually refers to the Bible itself, or God's Word. It could also mean Jesus and what He taught because He came to finish God's Word or works on earth. Also, here's a link that gives a better understand of salvation and baptism. I hope this all helps you understand Jesus better!! http://www.cogscreations.net/thingsonmymind/baptism.htm

Love, Angel

 

[mormonsniper]

Paradise.

 

[pmarquette]

I think this is a good question to ask. Please reply and submit answers. After enough replies I will give my own answer that I think to be true.

received the mantle of elijiah from John ,
the anointing of priest , prophet , and king
so to start his ministry ....

 

[Svt4Him]

How then do you explain Jesus promise to the thief on the cross?

Luke 23

42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

The thief did not have the opportunity to be baptised and so I accept that baptism is the norm but it cannot be absolutely essential.

Also the passage you quote refers to being "born again" rather than baptised. I agree you must be born again but this is not identical to baptism.

John's baptism was one unto repentance. Did he repent? Yes he did.

 

[Angeldove97]

amen

 

[PRMan]

The thief did not have the opportunity to be baptised and so I accept that baptism is the norm but it cannot be absolutely essential.

Be careful, though, because Paradise may not mean Heaven as you have assumed. It may refer to Sheol, since the thief was going to die before Jesus rose again.

But I do agree with you, since the scriptures are clear that God judges the attitudes of our heart and not simply our actions.