The Significance of Baptism Matthew 3:13-4:1
Have you ever wondered why there is a dot over the small letters ‘i’ and ‘j’? They are small but the dots make it clear that an ‘i’ must be distinguished from other letters such as an ‘l’. Why are there dots at the end of sentences? They are small but make it clear that one sentence has ended and a new one has begun.
When we look at the baptism of Jesus we can see that this marked a complete change in his life, it was a small event but indicated a major change of direction. Baptism had been a way to show a changed allegiance and purpose. If a Gentile wanted to become a Jew they needed to be baptised. John the Baptist had emphasised that formal religion saved nobody.Repentance, a change of heart and direction, was essential if God was going to accept people into his kingdom. Baptism was used as a public sign of repentance, this change of direction. Jesus’ baptism also marked a great change for him, he was now ordained for his ministry and this resulted in his being tested. The word DOT will be used as an acronym to show how this seemingly small event meant a great deal for Jesus and should also mean the same for us.
Matthew gives us a brief record of Jesus’ baptism:
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As 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 alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Matthew 3:13-4:1
The significance of Jesus’ baptism
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.”
It is clear that Jesus had made a positive decision to be baptised. He travelled a long way from Galilee to the river Jordan for this to happen.
Decision
Some have wondered why Jesus, who had no sin, needed to be baptised. For him it did not signify the washing away of his sin, it was a prophetic act to show he was now embarking on his heavenly Father’s purpose for his life. Jesus had entered his world to be its Saviour. He would spend the next three years teaching, especially his disciples, about who he was, what he had come to do. Eventually their purpose would be to continue his work until Jesus returned. For Jesus this was a momentous decision. He had come to die a sacrificial death that would be the ultimate sacrifice for sin. All the animal sacrifices in the past were only significant because they symbolised his death that effectively paid the price for sin.
When Jesus was baptised and went under the water it pointed towards his coming death and when John the Baptist lifted him out of the water it indicated his resurrection. Both his death and resurrection had been repeatedly foreseen in Old Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah 53. So Jesus’ decision to be baptised was a momentous decision. He could honestly say to John the Baptist that he needed to be baptised just as he needed to die and rise again.
Baptism literally means “to immerse” and was a way for a person to identify with a certain person or group. It signified that the person being baptized was connected to the new group. John quite rightly queried why he should baptise Jesus as he had no sin to repent of but Jesus replied,
“Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.”
The Messianic title ‘Son of Man’ is used of Jesus over 80 times in the gospels. Jesus, though divine was also fully human and at the onset of his ministry he needed to associate himself fully with mankind. Jesus also understood that there needed to be a formal, public connection of himself with John. John had come proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and repentance (Matthew 3:2). Matthew acknowledged that John was the one whom Isaiah had prophesied would come to prepare the way for the Messiah (Matthew 3:3). Malachi had also recorded important prophecies about the Messiah and the prophet who would precede His coming. In one of those prophecies, God announced that this messenger would clear the path for the Messiah, who would then come to His temple (Malachi 3:1). By asking John to baptise him Jesus also authenticated John’s ministry – a ministry that directed people to follow Jesus, God’s Messiah. The message was clear, God wants all people to repent and publicly turn back to him.
Ordained
Baptism represented the start of a new ministry for Jesus. From then on he would become a teacher, primarily of his disciples, but also of the masses. He taught them that what God valued was not outward success but an inner integrity in the worship of and obedience to God. He also proved to people that he was God’s Messiah by the extraordinary miracles that he performed.
God empowered Jesus in a special way for this new ministry.
“At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.”
Jesus and John saw the Spirit of the living God descending on Jesus, like a dove. This divine power was the motivationthat supported Jesus as he persevered through all the trials he would face and remained true to his calling. Jesus later used the figure of a dove when he said to his disciples, as he sent them on a short missionary trip:
“ . . . be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:13
Jesus remained pure throughout his life and for this reason he could be the sacrifice for our sin.
He was given further assurance when he heard his heavenly Father’s words:
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
This repeats the words God used in the remarkable Psalm 2 where God laughs at people who want to turn their backs on him and his Son. God then said:
“I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.’” Psalm 2:6-8
These words must have resonated with Jesus and encouraged him as he embarked on a very costly ministry. These words are also very reassuring for us as this is further evidence that Jesus really is God’s Messiah, the Son of God, and our Saviour.
Trained
The obvious feature of Jesus subsequent ministry was to embark on a training programme for his followers and especially of the disciples. After Peter’s Pentecost sermon to which 3,000 made a commitment to Christ and were baptised they were expected to attend the daily training programme given by the apostles in the Court of Gentiles in the temple. Jesus clearly recognised this to be a major role of his new ministry, so should we not be imitating Jesus and his apostles?
As so often happens, a great climax is often followed by temptation. Satan does not want Jesus to be successful, as God understood the term, and fulfil his ministry.
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
Satan will do all he can to prevent Jesus from achieving the goals his Father had set for him. It is significant that the first two temptations began with the words:
“If you are the Son of God . . .”
Satan wants to fill Jesus’ mind with doubt about who he is and his calling. Jesus answers Satan each time by referring him to what God’s word, the Bible, says. This is a strong reminder that those who turn to Christ also need to get to know the Scriptures very well.
The significance of our baptisms
Baptism was part of Christian initiation right from the beginning. Jesus told his disciples:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit . . .” Matthew 28:19
When Peter gave his first sermon at Pentecost, just seven weeks after Jesus’ execution and resurrection, many people’s consciences were struck and Peter told them what they had to do to be forgiven and to become members of God’s kingdom:
“Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
Christian baptism is much more than a decision to join God’s people. When Jesus was baptised he received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for his ministry and so do all Christians. A major problem is that few understand this.
When the apostle Paul visited Ephesus he met a group who had joined the church but who had only understood that baptism represented their decision to repent. This is what John the Baptist had emphasised. Paul wanted them to understand that Christian baptism involves much more. It centres on Jesus and how he died to save us. Paul emphasised that baptism also involves Christians being given the gift of the Holy Spirit so they can live for Jesus. This is Luke’s account:
“Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied.
Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. Acts 19:1-7
They immediately spoke about Jesus and the gospel in words others could understand.
For people today the acronym DOT is just as relevant to each of us as baptism involves not only a radical decision, but also an ordination for service and the likelihood of real testing or temptation – just like Jesus!
Decision
To be baptised, when a person has recognised who Jesus is, may seem a small thing, like a ‘dot’, but going public about our commitment to Jesus is clearly very important both to God and to ourselves. It is not an easy thing to do but so often the Lord gives great joy to those who step out in faith in this way.
When a person commits themselves to Christ and decides on being baptised they are saying that although their life haspreviously been self centred, with other priorities rather than the Lord, they have now made a u-turn, repented, and are now determined to live a new life with and for the Lord Jesus. They have made the decision that from then on they are going to live for Christ. As they go under the water they symbolically die to the old life, to self. When they come up again, it is a reminder that they are now new people, members of God’s kingdom, with a new purpose in life.
It is good if those being baptised are encouraged to learn this verse:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
This need for a personal decision about the role and rule of Christ in each of our lives is vital. Not to make a decision is really a decision saying ‘no’. Moses recognised that everyone needs to make a decision about the place of God in their lives. He summoned the children of Israel together as they were about to enter Canaan and told them:
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice and hold to him”. Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Joshua, Moses successor, asked the next generation of Jews to make this same decision:
“. . . choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Procrastination about what place God will have in my life is never a good idea.
I have just received an invitation to attend a seminar about writing wills which said,
“It could be the most important decision you will ever make.”
However, the decision about whether to be known as a follower of Jesus is far more important than anything else, it will affect out eternal destiny in heaven of hell. The Bible is very clear about the importance of this decision:
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” John 3:36
Ordained
Many think of ordination as the rite by which individuals are called by a church into full time ministry. The Bible is clear that every Christian has been called into full time service of the Lord Jesus and in this sense every Christian has been ordained by God to live as his representative. We may well be in secular employment or run a home but we are now there as Christ’s representatives. Paul wrote to all Christians, whatever their job, about a Christian’s priority:
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11
Is this being taught clearly today? Every true Christian has been called by God to minister to others as the representative of the Lord Jesus. We do this by the way we live and by what we say.
The prophet Jeremiah understood this in the seventh century BC:
“Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me.” Jeremiah 15:9
Nothing has changed in this regard. Our role is to make a u-turn in our relationship with God, to repent. God himself will then restore us to be members of his kingdom and empower us with his Spirit. The purpose is that we all become the Lord’s active servants which will have repercussions.
Just as Jesus was empowered by the Holy Spirit so is every Christian. This was the promise that Peter told his listeners at Pentecost:
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
The Holy Spirit is given to enable people to live for Christ. There are many ways this ‘ordination’ will take us. A few may go into full time paid church leadership roles but it cannot be emphasised enough that every Christian has been called or ordained to be a minister, or servant, of the Lord Jesus.
Trained
If, as seems to be the principle of John the Baptist Jesus and the apostles, when people had made a commitment to Christ they were very soon baptised publicly. This would not have been easy but making an early public confession of Christ is extremely helpful. The training came afterwards. It is likely that some would have dropped away after their baptism but this still was the early church practice. Today some churches insist that new Christians need to have a prolonged training and sometimes pass an examination by church elders before they are baptised. Are there advantages in the New Testament approach?
If all new Christians have died to self and are now living a new life for Christ they will undoubtedly need much training in how to live for Christ and how to be effective for him in today’s society.
There is often great joy when a person ‘comes out’ as a disciple of the Lord Jesus. However, just as our Lord himself experienced, it is highly likely that Satan will tempt new Christians with doubts. Such questions will come to mind,
‘Is Jesus really the only way to God?’
‘ You know that progress in your career may be hampered if you speak as a Christian!’ and test us in other ways.
It is tough to face ridicule, misunderstanding and sometimes overt persecution but we have been given God’s Spirit so that we, like our Lord, can persevere even under great stress. This is a good reason why early training is needed.
The Oxford martyrs included Archbishop Thomas Cranmer and Bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley. They taught that the apostolic faith was not that then seen in the Roman Catholicism of Queen Mary’s reign, and they were condemned to be burnt at the stake in Oxford for this ‘crime’. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs gives details about the last moments of Latimer and Ridley who were burned together in Oxford on October 16, 1555. Ridley prayed shortly before he was executed,
“O heavenly Father, I give unto thee most hearty thanks, for that thou hast called me to be a professor of thee, even unto death. I beseech thee, Lord God, take mercy upon this realm of England, and deliver the same from all her enemies.”
Latimer replied,
“Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”
This candle is still shining in the lives of those who turn to Christ.
On 27 July 2009, George Orjih and other Christians, tied up and lying on the ground, waited for almost certain death at the hands of the Islamist militants who had kidnapped them. Pastor George said to the others,
“Tell my brothers that I died well and am living with Christ. And if we all die, we know that we die for the Lord.”
The kidnappers asked him to convert to Islam, but Pastor George refused. He preached Christ to the leader of the kidnappers and continued singing, praying and encouraging the other Christians to stand firm ‒ until he was beheaded. Another pastor in the group, Sabo Yakubu, was also asked to convert to Islam. He also refused and was likewise beheaded. But some of their companions lived and were able to take Pastor Orjih’s final message back to his congregation in Maiduguri, Borno State. They had learned what God wants all his people to understand:
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Some Christians will be tested severely. It is unfortunate that there are now some who suggest that becoming a Christian is a sure way to success both physically in terms of health and financially and so to bliss in this life. It has been likened toresting in a bed of roses. It is true there are wonderful benefits - but there are also many thorns! The glory will come later in heaven for those who persevere in living with and for the Lord Jesus but for some it may be hard.
Baptism was no trifling thing for Jesus, it indicated a complete change of direction for him and so it should for us. What a wonderful occasion it will be when we arrive in heaven and hear the Lord Jesus, who gave so much because of his love for us, say:
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:23
Therefore let us do all we can to help people understand the immensity of what baptism means. It is a ‘going public’ in our commitment to Christ as the only hope of salvation. This public stance isa necessity for all, just as we need God’s gifting to enable us to live with and for the Lord Jesus under pressure. People do need to understand the significant meaning of Decisions, Ordinations and Testings!
BVP September 2024
P.S. 1. Today many consider ‘baptism’ to be a family occasion for the naming of a new baby – a dotting of ‘i’ in the social norms of respectable society. Although a very good case can be made for the baptising of infants born into committed Christian families but then much should be made of the time when they come to confirm those baptism vows made for them. The gift of the Holy Spirit for ministry is integral to Christian baptism. In our society today the rite of infant baptism has been so cheapened in some churches as to be often meaningless in spiritual terms. If this is so, cannot a case to be made for those who had just a nominal baptism as a baby to have a meaningful baptism later for those who turn to Christ for salvation? Jesus had been admitted into God’s people as a child but John’s baptism, a baptism of repentance, was what God wanted for him. When the Ephesian Christians had been baptised with John’s baptism they were encouraged later to be baptised into Christ. If a baptised Jehovah’s Witness becomes committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and leaves the Watchtower most would recommend a Christian baptism to help them identify with their new faith. So why, if non-Christians who were formally baptised as infants but not had a Christian upbringing come to Christ isn’t there a strong case to help them by suggesting believer’s baptism. It is a great witness to their friends and family and a great help to the new Christian.
P.S. 2. Do we emphasise enough that Christian baptism involves being given the Holy Spirit, about being ordained for ministry?
