Topic Video: The Significance of Jesus' Baptism

When Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized, John objected because Jesus was already righteous. But Jesus responded by saying that it wasn’t enough for him to be personally sinless; he also had to fulfill all the necessary righteous works that had been appointed to him.
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When Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized, John objected because Jesus was already righteous. Jesus had never sinned, and therefore didn’t need to repent. But Jesus responded by saying that it wasn’t enough for him to be personally sinless; he also had to fulfill all the necessary righteous works that had been appointed to him.
Listen to their discussion in Matthew 3:14-15:
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 fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
As God incarnate, Jesus was omnipotent. But the office of Christ is a human one. So, he veiled his power and glory in order to be like the people he came to save.
In some sense, Jesus held the office of Christ from the beginning of his incarnation. He was born the heir to David’s throne and proclaimed by angels as the Christ. But his appointment wasn’t publicly declared until his baptism when it was announced to the world by the other members of the Trinity.
The Holy Spirit confirmed that Jesus was the Christ by descending on him like a dove. And God the Father confirmed him as the Christ by speaking audibly from heaven. Although neither the Holy Spirit nor the Father specifically used the word “Christ” at the time, God had already revealed to John the Baptist that the one who received these signs would be the Christ.
This confirmation prepared him for office by formally announcing to the nation and to the world that God’s Christ had finally come.
One objection that has been raised against calling Jesus the Christ is that he was never actually anointed with oil to the office of Messiah. But the gospel records show that Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit at his baptism. This anointing officially declared Jesus to be the Christ, and also empowered him for ministry.
Listen to what John chapter 3:34 says about the power Jesus received from the Holy Spirit:
The one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
The significance of Jesus’ baptism becomes clearer when we understand that John wasn’t the only one baptizing people in his day. A variety of Jewish groups, including John’s, separated themselves from the corruption of Jerusalem at the time and considered themselves to be Israel’s righteous remnant. And they often used baptisms or washings to initiate their members. So, when Jesus was baptized by John, he performed a necessary righteous act by affirming and identifying himself with the true faithful remnant within Israel.
“It's important to realize that John's baptism is in preparation for the coming of the kingdom. As he is calling people to repent, believe, it's not the same as Christian baptism in that he is announcing that the kingdom is coming; the king is arriving. They are to be prepared for it. Jesus, in coming to be baptized by John, now comes to begin his ministry. … He is identifying with us - think of in terms of Matthew - to fulfill all righteousness. It's not because he has to repent. It's not because he is a sinner. It's because he's identifying with his people. He's beginning his public ministry. He is acting as our representative in his life, which will then culminate in his death, resurrection, ascension. So that, that is the reason why he comes and is baptized by John to, in some sense, inaugurate his ministry, to begin what he is doing, to announce that what John has looked forward to is now coming in him. He is the one that now is bringing the kingdom to pass.”
Dr. Stephen Wellum, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary