Lesson 2281

(Lesson 2281)(03-10-18) Matthew 3:13-17
    “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

   Today’s quote relates how Jesus came to John the Baptist and requested that John baptize Him in water. It is very important that we understand why Jesus made that request. In order to accomplish that we must first understand the true definition of the word “baptize”. We must also understand what the act accomplishes and  why it was necessary for Jesus to submit Himself to it.
    The root word “baptize”, since it was transliterated from the Greek “baptiso” has been assigned multiple definitions that distort and mis-represent its original intent in the Greek language. However, the definition of the word when it is correctly applied, in most usages within the New Testament text, is; to fully immerse something or someone into; some condition, doctrine or substance for the desired effect of permanently altering the physical or spiritual state of said something or someone. As the word is applied in today’s quote, it implies that Jesus, by being immersed in pure water, would be cleansed of all inherent “filth of the flesh” so the He could righteously and permanently fulfill His Godly requirement to be the perfect, sin free sacrifice for the sins of mankind.
    Jesus DID NOT request John’s water baptism to become the Son of God, He was born the Son of God. Jesus required water baptism as a step to fulfill every aspect of the divine laws of the Hebrews. In order to fulfill the Law, Jesus was required to live and obey every tiny commandment of the old Law. Jesus would later say; “For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law. till all be fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:18) This means that until Jesus had completed His divine requirement of fulfilling every whit of the old Law at the end of His ministry, and had ascended back to the Father in heaven, the old Law of the Hebrews would remain if full effect binding Jesus and every other Jew to the obedience of it.~
This topic will be discussed further as these lessons progress.