For Thus It Becometh Us To Fulfill All Righteousness - Part 988

It is almost as if water baptism is quickly becoming a tradition of the past, particularly when many church organizations are removing all references to water baptism from their statement(s) of faith. But what does the Bible say?

First and foremost, Jesus Himself was baptized by John the Baptist. Indeed, if Jesus is to be our example, then shouldn't we as disciples of our Lord Jesus the Christ also be baptized in water. In Matthew 3, John is baptizing people with water unto repentance, but throughout, is telling of the One that will come after him who "is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire -- whose fan in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge the floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:11-12)

Malachi presents the latter part of this scripture in this fashion. "And He shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver; and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." (Malachi 3:3) And in I Peter, "Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (I Peter 2:5) This is why we are to stand in the offering plate but I digress.

Then John sees Jesus coming from Galilee. What is Jesus' purpose in seeing John? To be baptized of John. (Matthew 3:13)

"But John forbade Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized of Thee, and Thou comest to me?" And Jesus answering said unto him, "Suffer [it to be so] now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:15)

And Jesus, when He was baptized went up straightway out of the water. Mark confirms the same when he wrote: "And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan." (Mark 1:9-10) Note here also that as soon as Jesus was baptized the spirit of this world drove Him into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted of satan.

The importance of water baptism is similarly noted in Acts where Peter is saying: "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.The Word which [God] sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ; (He is Lord of all), That Word [I say] ye know which was published throughout all Judaea and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached -- how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:34-38)

Baptism also signifies the cleansing work of salvation, and the washing of regeneration. A new birth whereby we were previously dead in trespasses and sins but are now renewed and clothed in His righteousness. (Acts 22:16; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5; Acts 10:44-48; Romans 8:29; John 3:5-6; John 1-12-13; Ephesians 3:15; Colossians 2:13)

And how are we supposed to be baptized in water? The same way that the first 3,000 believers into the early church were. That is, according to Acts 2:38-42, whereby Peter, standing with the eleven is preaching.

"Now when they heard [this] they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said unto them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call." And with many other words did he testify, and exhort saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." Then they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day there were added [unto them] three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:37-42)

A good message for you and I too. Save ourselves from this untoward generation that desires to eliminate water baptism from their respective statements of faith. And if you haven't been baptized in water yet, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins so that you too can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) Stand in the offering plate.