Matthew - Our Lord's Baptism

In today's study from Matthew 3:13-17, we take a look at the significance of our Lord's baptism.

The first thing that we see in Jesus’ baptism is a clear manifestation of the Trinity. Notice that it says that “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,  (17)  and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."

The second thing that we see is purpose and procedure for baptism.

Purpose of Baptism

Jesus said it Himself, to fulfill all righteousness. Now, Jesus was already righteous so he didn’t get baptized to obtain righteousness. He was baptized for two reasons. 1. Set the example for us, and, 2. to mark the beginning of His public ministry. So, too our baptism is also the beginning of our public ministry. It is actually our “public profession of faith.” 

Procedure of Baptism

We also see here the procedure for baptism: immersion. The Bible says that he went up out of the water. This would not have been the case had He been sprinkled. All baptisms in the Bible are by immersion. John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. Also, compare the eunuch in Acts 8:38-39. Baptism is by immersion because it pictures the death, burial and resurrection (cf. Rom 6:3-5). Burial is more than sprinkling dirt on a coffin!