The Baptism of Jesus
A. THIS CHAPTER DESCRIBES THE BAPTISM OF JOHN.
1. Repentance unto the remission of sins.
2. Elijah.
B. JOHN'S PURPOSE - TO POINT OUT JESUS( Matt. 3:13-17 ).
A. IT WAS AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE( Heb. 5:8-9 ).
1. Thru his obedience, he became our Savior - if we obey him( Matt. 28:18 ).
2. Disobedience will be punished( 2 Thess. 1:7-9 ).
3. Jesus' obedience rewarded - so will ours be( Phil. 2:5-11 ).
B. IT WAS AN EXAMPLE FOR US( 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 Cor. 11:1 ).
C. AN OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL PROPHECY( Isa. 42:1; Mat. 3:16-17 ).
1. God's promise to endorse his Son.
2. His soul delights in him.
3. His Spirit will be upon him( Acts 3:18, 24; John 5:39-47 ).
D. IT PREFIGURED HIS DEATH, BURIAL & RESURRECTION.
OURS LOOKS BACK( Rom. 6:3-4 ).
A. USE OF THE WORD "RIGHTEOUSNESS."
1. Not merely a righteous act.
2. Involves Jesus' righteous character - but not referred to here.
B. SIMILAR USAGE IN Rom. 1:16-17, 3:21ff. - "A" RIGHTEOUSNESS.
1. Refers to God's plan for making us right.
2. Involved many things - His vicarious death( Rom. 3:23-26; 2 Cor. 5:14-15 ).
C. HIS BAPTISM HAS A PART IN GOD'S ETERNAL PLAN.
A. JOHN KNEW HIM NOT( vs. 31, 33 ).
B. JOHN'S PURPOSE IN BAPTIZING( vs. 31 ).
C. WHEN THE SPIRIT DESCENDED, JOHN KNEW JESUS WAS THE CHRIST
( vs. 32-34 ).
A. JESUS IS CONFIRMED BY PROPHECY, SIGNS, AND WITNESSES TO BE
LORD AND CHRIST.
B. SANCTIFY HIM IN YOUR HEART AS LORD( 1 Pet. 3:15; Matt. 7:21 ).
C. OBEY HIM( John 14:15 ).