Baptism of Jesus
Notes
Transcript
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
What are the essentials that a group of people need to have in order to be considered a Christian congregation?
Follow the teachings of Jesus and confess that they believe in him as the Savior sent by God. These teachings are to be derived from the Bible. Often a Christian congregation will also have those teachings further defined by historical confessional documents. For example, our congregation confesses adherence to the Bible of 66 books to be the inspired, inerrant Word of God. Our confessional writings include Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms, the Smalcald Articles, the Augsburg Confession, the Apology to the Augsburg Confession, and the Formula of Concord. Other Christian (non Lutheran congregations) will also follow the teachings of the Bible but have their own confessional writings. Some which agree with our confessions to some extent and some which demonstrate a disagreement with our historic confessions.
There are two other essentials.
The practice of celebrating the Lord’s Supper. Not all Christians agree on exactly what benefits we receive from the Lord’s Supper or even what Jesus’ words, “This is my body . . . “ means, but a Christian congregation will observe the Lord’s Supper aka Holy Communion, the Mass, Eucharist, etc.
The other essential?
Baptism. Jesus instructed his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament makes reference to Christian baptism and its importance. (List passages from Luther’s Catechism).
4 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.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.
18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Here too, there is some disagreement as to exactly what happens in baptism. But even though those who have tried to answer the question “What does this mean?” are not in complete agreement as to how that question is answered, we must concur that an essential for a Christian congregation is to administer baptism.
Our teaching and belief is this (summarize).
Second
Second
What benefits does Baptism give?
What benefits does Baptism give?
It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.
Which are these words and promises of God?
Which are these words and promises of God?
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)
How can water do such great things?
How can water do such great things?
Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water. For without God’s word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” (Titus 3:5–8)
What I want to consider and compare today as we reflect on Jesus’ own baptism is: How does baptism impact a person’s life? We will see that the impact that baptism has on our lives is quite different than the impact that it had on Jesus’ baptism.
We will start with Jesus.
The baptism of Jesus is recorded in the Gospels. (summarize)
At the age of 30 Jesus approached John the Baptist who had been baptizing a baptism of repentance in the Jordan River as part of the process of preparing people for the coming Messiah whom he would identify as Jesus. When Jesus came, John tried to deter him knowing that Jesus did not need to repent nor to prepare for his own coming. But Jesus insisted saying that this was to “fulfill all righteousness”.
What does this mean? From this we can see why it was proper for him to be baptized by John at that point. Though he was no sinner, he was declaring himself to be one with sinners, taking up their burden of sin. Here he was identifying himself with sinners, putting himself forward as their God appointed Redeemer.
There could be no more proper or fitting way for him and John (“for us”) to inaugurate his public redeeming work. Nothing could be more becoming than that Jesus ask to be baptized and that John consent to baptize him. For in doing so, they were about to “fulfill all righteousness.”
Here is the point where many go wrong. They take “to fulfill all righteousness” to mean “to fulfill the whole law of God for us, to meet all its requirements in our stead.” But this cannot be meant—for two reasons. First, in that case Jesus would have to speak of what was necessary, not what was proper. He was under obligation to fulfill all the demands of the law for us who were under the law, that is, under its condemnation. (Galatians 4:4, 5) That was a “must,” something absolutely necessary.
Secondly, it cannot be shown that baptism was a legal requirement. Baptism as a sacrament was unknown until this time. Yes, there were rites of purification prescribed by the Mosaic law, but none of these was a sacrament, as baptism is. The Jews indeed expected their Messiah to bring purification from sin. (See especially Zechariah 13:1.) Accordingly, that the expected Redeemer would administer a rite that cleansed from sin and guilt was in line with such expectations. Because John came with a “baptism for the forgiveness of sins,” he caused them to wonder whether he might not be the Messiah (Christ). This thought lay behind their question: “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” (John 1:24).
We must forget about the idea of Jesus fulfilling some legal requirement by permitting himself to be baptized. Here we are in the field of the gospel. Jesus was beginning his earthly mission of being the divine substitute for sinners. John could not have a part in the redeeming work itself, the work of “fulfilling all righteousness,” that is, of carrying out fully the Father’s redeeming will for the slaves of sin. But John could and did have a part in ushering in Jesus’ work as the Christ. Both together, John by baptizing one who was sinless and divine, and Jesus by submitting to a baptism he did not need, took the divinely proper way of telling sinful men: Here Jesus steps to your side, takes up your cause, and sees it through to the bitter and victorious end!
Franzmann, W. H. (1998). Bible history commentary: New Testament (electronic ed., p. 63). WELS Board for Parish Education.
Jesus’ baptism also identified him as the promised Messiah as John testifies: John 1:29–34 (NIV84)
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”
Peter also refers to it when he is teaching new Christians at the home of Cornelius. (background). The point Peter makes here is this: The Baptism of Jesus was his inauguration into his public ministry—similar to when a public servant is installed into a new position: Swearing in. Installation. Hiring.
This was God’s public affirmation that Jesus is “the Anointed One” — Christ [Messiah]. It was to “fulfill all righteousness” Consider whether or not to include this.
How does this compare to our own baptism. Not the same. But it does mark a new beginning for us in our relationship with God as it connects us to Jesus. “Clothed yourselves with Christ.”
We can see this expression as a way of saying that we identify with Jesus. Millions of football fans are on the precipice of yet another playoff season leading up to the super bowl. And even if you aren’t a big fan, you can’t help but notice who many people wear clothes that identify with their favorite team. And how some would rather die than ever wear an opposing team’s jersey. Why do we do this? Because we want to be connected with “our” team. Baptism is the sacrament by which we are included in “team Christian”. It is to impact our belief system as well as how we live our lives.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.