Why was Jesus Baptized?

[ebia]

I was raised southern baptist and I also after much biblical searching believe that baptism is simply a symbolic gesture to show ones newness in christ. I have often wondered why certain faiths baptise their infants? What is that all about? How can an infant choose a life with Christ and why do they need to be baptised? are they pure and free of sin when they are born? not trying to "bash" anyone just curious?

As Tibby said, if you view baptism as primarily us doing something, then it makes little sense to baptize infants (although I believe the presbetarians still do - you'd have to ask them).

On the other hand, if you believe baptism as primarily about God doing something, then it makes sense for it to happen as early as possible, so that the children can grow up in Christ.

It doesn't make much sense to talk about when to baptize, until you've decided what it is, and that's where the real difference lies.

The bible is ambiguous about it, but it is clear that the church has been baptizing infants for a very long time.

[broken1]

thanks for answering my question..good point about the difference in views on baptism.  I really know very little about other denominations beliefs - I am enjoying learning. My husband is of the Lutheran faith but rarely do we discuss religion as he is not active in church anymore.

[Tibby]

Glad we helped.

You will also be glad to know this is the first time me, Petro, and Ebia all agreed at once.

[Ambassador4Christ]

"Don't be deceived by religion. Religion says "DO", whereas Christianity says "DONE !" Christ paid the full price for your salvation. Believe and be saved today."

[Tibby]

"Don't be deceived by religion. Religion says "DO", whereas Christianity says "DONE !" Christ paid the full price for your salvation. Believe and be saved today."

That is why, as soon as we are saved, we never feel the need to sin again, because salvation is 5 second acceptance, not an on-going process. We don’t have to work on anything, at all. Are you alcoholic? Get saved, as soon as you are saved, you will never think about it. Do you struggle with lust? Get saved, as soon as you are, you will never lust again, and never desire someone of the opposite sex until you are married.

Yeah, Salvation is a 5 second thing. There is no work involved. Grace only matter for the 5 second we are saved.

[Ambassador4Christ]

"Don't be deceived by religion. Religion says "DO", whereas Christianity says "DONE !" Christ paid the full price for your salvation. Believe and be saved today."

That is why, as soon as we are saved, we never feel the need to sin again, because salvation is 5 second acceptance, not an on-going process. We don’t have to work on anything, at all. Are you alcoholic? Get saved, as soon as you are saved, you will never think about it. Do you struggle with lust? Get saved, as soon as you are, you will never lust again, and never desire someone of the opposite sex until you are married.

Yeah, Salvation is a 5 second thing. There is no work involved. Grace only matter for the 5 second we are saved.

When and if you ever get saved, then we will talk about it.

[Tibby]

Uncalled for

[RecognizeGodsGlory]

Hello may i jump in?

It is a Will of God, baptism is fullfillment of God's will.

Thank you

[sincereheart]

Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ

Colossians 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

When I read this whole passage, it starts to sound like Christ was baptized and so we don't need to be.  

[Petro]

Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ

Colossians 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

When I read this whole passage, it starts to sound like Christ was baptized and so we don't need to be.  

When you ask this kind of question it is because you are understanding what you are reading.

Note:

Mat 21
20  Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
21  And he said unto her, wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
22  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.


Also, at Luke 12:50, Mk 10:38.

Jesus's death is the baptism with the Holy Spirit, with which He baptizes all those who are given to Him, by the Father

This Baptism is described at;

Eph 1
9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

John's baptism, was a baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Water Baptism is symbolic of the one and only true Baptism with the Holy Spirit which God performs on every believer, not man.


Blessings,

Petro

[JudgeNot]

1.  Jesus was Baptised as an example we should follow.
2.  Whomever publicly proclaims Jesus is Lord... (Baptism is a way to publicly proclaim faith in Him).
3.  It's just what us Baptists do.  

[Heidi]

Jesus said we have to be baptized with water and the Holy Spirit to enter heaven. I bleieve Jesus used the thief on the cross to show people that, no matter what sins we've committed, all we have to do is believe Jesus. The thief was used to show who Jesus was just like Lazarus, the blind man, and others whom He healed. Water baptism is not only a cleansing ritual, I believe the most important aspect of it is to show "good faith". In other words it shows a desire to please God even if one doesn't yet know God. By baptising with water, John the Baptist prepared the way for the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Baptism prepares the way for us because it opens our hearts to receive God's love. The desire to be baptized, is the first step toward the ability to receive the Holy Spirit.

[Allinall]

Jesus said we have to be baptized with water and the Holy Spirit to enter heaven.

I must disagree.  Jesus didn't say that we have to be baptized in order to be saved.  He said...

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Mark 16:16

I know.  "He says right there "...is baptized will be saved."  Yup.  If you take the transliterated wording that every translation does.  The original word is baptizo which means to imerse or to wash thoroughly.  Jesus said, whoever believes and is washed thoroughly will be saved.

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:5

It is the washing of regeneration, not water, not being baptized that saves.  By the blood of Christ alone.  

Jesus said we must be washed.  Not baptized to be saved.  

[Heidi]

I never said that baptism alone saves. Jesus said in John, 3:5, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit." I believe Him.

[Petro]

Amen,  not only are we saved by His baptism, but it is a Baptism for us with the Holy Spirit, not "of" ghe Holy Spirit.

Col 2
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,
7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,
12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

One can be water baptized, and not believe, this is evidenced by no Holy Spirit in their lives.

Anyone, who trusts the Word and comes to belief in Gods LIVING Word,  has been Baptized with the Holy Spirit and is sealed by that same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.

Rom 8
9  ...............Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.


Blessings,

Petro