324 FBCWest

Usually when we think of baptism we think of a sinner coming to God. However, with this view we are surprised that Jesus comes to John the Baptizer to be baptized. John does not want to baptize Jesus, because he knows Jesus is greater than he. However, Jesus convinces him to baptize Him, so that “righteousness” might be fulfilled. Upon Jesus baptism, the Holy Spirit descends upon and remains on Him and God the Father states that Jesus is His son and is pleased. But there is another reason Jesus is being baptized. John has been told that the one who he sees the Holy Spirit descending upon and remains is the “Messiah”. John sees this when he baptizes Jesus. Now John knows that Jesus is the Messiah. Not only does he know, he testifies regarding this fact. We are baptized because Jesus commands us to be and to baptize those who are His disciples. The word baptize means to dip or immerse. Sprinkling is not consistent with the word and only Immersion shows in symbol what happens with our commitment to follow Jesus. His death, burial and resurrection is our death, burial and resurrection. Baptism in essence is our first testimony that we identify with Jesus.