The following block quote is found in a digital file [1] as well as in a printed book [2]. I am listing both sources in the Appendix / Bibliography
The Handbook of Bible Application Niel S Wilson, Editor [2]
Appendix / Bibliography
[1] Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary New Testament Set (Brand New Complete New Set in Seventeen Volumes) Life Application Bible Commentary – Matthew, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1996), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 50-51.
[2]The Handbook of Bible Application a topical guide to applying the Bible to Everyday Life Niel S Wilson, Editor Tyndale, 1992 page 179
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Life Application BIBLE COMMENTARY
MATTHEW
Bruce B. Barton, D. Min.
Mark Fackler, Ph.D.
Linda K. Taylor
David R. Veerman, M. Div.
Series Editor: Grant Osborne, Ph.D.
Editor: Philip Comfort, Ph.D.
Database © 2014 WORDsearch
Matt 3:14-15 But 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.NIV
When Jesus arrived,
John balked at his desire to be baptized. John did not think that Jesus needed to be baptized for repentance. John tried to deter Jesus, explaining that he wanted to be baptized by Jesus. There are two main views regarding what John meant. (1) Some scholars suggest that John wanted the Holy-Spirit-and-fire baptism that Jesus would bring (Mat 3:11). (2) Others say that John simply knew of Jesus' superiority, so John wanted Jesus to baptize him.
Jesus explained that he had come to be baptized because it would be the proper way for them to fulfill all righteousness. What did this mean? It could not mean to fulfill the law,
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Jesus Begins His Ministry
Jesus launched his ministry from his childhood home, Nazareth. He was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River and tempted by Satan in the wilderness; then he returned to Galilee. Between the temptation and his move to Capernaum (4:12-13), Jesus ministered in Judea, Samaria, and Galilee (see John 1-4). |
because no law required baptism. While "fulfill" generally refers to prophecy, there are no clear connections to baptism in prophecy. Most likely it refers to fulfilling a relationship with God by obeying him in every aspect of life. When Jesus said this, John consented and baptized him.
Why did Jesus ask to be baptized? Jesus saw his baptism as advancing God's work. While even the greatest prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) had to confess their sinfulness and need for repentance, Jesus didn't need to admit sin—he was sinless (John 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5). Although Jesus did not need forgiveness, he was baptized for the following reasons: (1) to confess sin on behalf of the nation, as Isaiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah had done (see Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 1:6; 9:1ff.; Isaiah 6:5); (2) to accomplish God's mission and advance God's work in the world; (3) to inaugurate his public ministry to bring the message of salvation to all people; (4) to show support for John's ministry; (5) to identify with the penitent people of God, thus with humanness and sin; and (6) to give us an example to follow.
John's baptism for repentance was different from Christian baptism in the church. When the apostle Paul taught some of John's followers about Jesus, they were baptized again (see Acts 19:2-5). Jesus, the perfect man, didn't need baptism for sin, but he accepted baptism in obedient service to the Father, and God showed his approval. Jesus wanted to show that his mission was to take on the sin of humanity, and thus to absolve it. Jesus took the baptism seriously, not merely as an object lesson for observers. He acknowledged God's holiness, humanity's sin, and said, "I will take it, and I will clear it." That is the essence of the Good News.
Why did Jesus ask to be baptized? Jesus saw his baptism as advancing God's work. While even the greatest prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) had to confess their sinfulness and need for repentance, Jesus didn't need to admit sin—he was sinless (John 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5). Although Jesus did not need forgiveness, he was baptized for the following reasons: (1) to confess sin on behalf of the nation, as Isaiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah had done (see Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 1:6; 9:1ff.; Isaiah 6:5); (2) to accomplish God's mission and advance God's work in the world; (3) to inaugurate his public ministry to bring the message of salvation to all people; (4) to show support for John's ministry; (5) to identify with the penitent people of God, thus with humanness and sin; and (6) to give us an example to follow.
John's baptism for repentance was different from Christian baptism in the church. When the apostle Paul taught some of John's followers about Jesus, they were baptized again (see Acts 19:2-5). Jesus, the perfect man, didn't need baptism for sin, but he accepted baptism in obedient service to the Father, and God showed his approval. Jesus wanted to show that his mission was to take on the sin of humanity, and thus to absolve it. Jesus took the baptism seriously, not merely as an object lesson for observers. He acknowledged God's holiness, humanity's sin, and said, "I will take it, and I will clear it." That is the essence of the Good News.
LIFE APPLICATION
Put yourself in John's shoes. Your work is going well; people are taking notice; everything is growing. But you know that the purpose of your work is to prepare the people for Jesus (John 1:35-37). Then Jesus arrives, and his coming tests your integrity. Will you be able to turn your followers over to him? John passed the test by publicly baptizing Jesus. Soon he would say, "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30 NIV). Can you, like John, put your ego and profitable work aside in order to point others to Jesus? Are you willing to lose some of your status so that everyone will benefit?
[1]
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EGO
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LET GO OF EGO
Put yourself in John's shoes. Your work is going well; people are taking notice; everything is growing. But you know that the purpose of your work is to prepare the people for Jesus (John 1:35-37). Then Jesus arrives, and his coming tests your integrity. Will you be able to turn your followers over to him? John passed the test by publicly baptizing Jesus. Soon he would say, "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30 NIV). Can you, like John, put your ego and profitable work aside in order to point others to Jesus? Are you willing to lose some of your status so that everyone will benefit?
Related Topics
Humility
People
Self Centeredness
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Appendix / Bibliography
[2]The Handbook of Bible Application a topical guide to applying the Bible to Everyday Life Niel S Wilson, Editor Tyndale, 1992 page 179This concludes the blog post
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