Sermon Tone Analysis

The Distinctly Beautiful Picture of Baptism

Introduction - A Picture Represents Reality...

Main Idea - Baptism Pictures the Reality of your Relationship with God!

There is a great deal we can learn from these five verses about Baptism...

1. Biblical Baptism is Necessary (vs.

13)

Jesus thought it necessary to be baptized by John...

Apparently, baptism wasn’t some strange activity that John the Baptist made up and forced people to participate in.

It was at least an activity that was familiar enough with the Jews that they saw a need to participate in it.

John baptism was one of preparation.

It prepared the people for the coming of the Messiah!

More on this in point 2...

J

Milah or Circumcision - A recognition that Sin is at the core of human reproduction.

We are sinful people from even our conception.

And then, one day, while John was baptizing droves of people, Jesus showed up.

Tebula or Immersion into water - A picture of the washing away of the old, gentile life.

And being cleansed for the new life as a Jew.

Corbin or Animal Sacrifice - The blood of the sacrificed animal was sprinkled on the Proselyte as a symbol of a cleansing from His daily sins.

As we continue through this text, you will see why Jesus was baptized.

But for now, just let the thought that He was, sink in.

There are many Christians today who look at baptism as optional.

As something that is a nice thing to do, but not necessary.

Folks, allow me to be blunt.

For the Christian, BAPTISM is NECESSARY!

It is a command of God!

Jesus thought it necessary to be baptized - What is stopping you?

2. Biblical Baptism Requires Repentance (vs.

14)

John’s Baptism was one of repentance and, as I said, one of preparation.

Matt

They had long awaited the arrival of the Messiah and at last He was here!

It was John’s responsibility to prepare the way of the Lord.

And so He did!

And baptism was an outward symbol of repentance for the Jews as they prepared their hearts for the arrival of the Messiah.

Baptism was not a new concept, but it was mostly reserved for the Gentile when they became a Jew.

In order for a gentile to become a Jew, not nationally, but spiritually, they would need to go through a process.

They were referred to as a proselyte and they would need to do three things.

Milah, Tebula and Corbin.

Baptism was not a new concept.

In order for a gentile to become a Jew, not nationally, but spiritually, they would need to go through a process.

They were referred to as a proselyte and they would need to do three things.

Milah, Tebula and Corbin.

Milah or Circumcision - A recognition that Sin is at the core of human reproduction.

We are sinful people from even our conception.

Tebula or Immersion into water - A picture of the washing away of the old, gentile life.

And being cleansed for the new life as a Jew.

Corbin or Animal Sacrifice - The blood of the sacrificed animal was sprinkled on the Proselyte as a symbol of a cleansing from His daily sins.

Now remember, this was for the gentile to become a Jew.

John was not baptizing Jews, he was baptizing Jews who recognized they had been living contrary to God and His plan.

This is a huge deal!!!

The fact that a Jew would humble himself or herself and be baptised like a Gentile?

They were not prepared for the arrival of the Messiah.

They were convicted by John’s straight forward preaching, repented and then were baptized as an outward sign of a changed and repentant heart!

This is Johns attitude when Jesus shows up.

“You want me to baptize you?

No, you should be baptizing me!

But Jesus’ Baptism wasn’t about His change of heart!

More on this in a moment...

John’s baptism was one of repentance.

This is true for today as well.

One must first, by faith, repent of ones sins in order to be saved!

Baptism is the beautiful picture of the repentant heart...

What about you?

Biblical Baptism is Necessary

Biblical Baptism Requires Repentance...

3. Biblical Baptism Reflects Righteousness (vs.

15)

Jesus’ answer tells us why He was baptized -

Jesus’ answer tells us why He is to be baptised.

He didn’t need to repent.

He was not a sinner that had been redeemed.

So why is Jesus baptized?

Because “it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

What does this mean?

John MacArthur is very helpful with this...

Let me ask you a question.

How did Jesus fulfill the righteousness of God?

Well, you could say He lived a perfect life.

That didn’t fulfill it.

How did He fulfill the requirement of the righteousness of God? How?

By dying on a cross.

So whatever Jesus’ baptism means, it is somehow connected to His fulfilling all righteousness, and therefore it is somehow connected to the act in which He did that when in righteous wrath, God poured out vengeance on the Lord Jesus Christ, and in His perfect sacrifice and sin-bearing death, all righteousness was then fulfilled, and a righteous God was satisfied and able to impute righteousness to believing people.

All righteousness has to be fulfilled at the cross; therefore, the baptism of Jesus Christ is somehow connected to the cross.

I think so.

I believe that’s right.

And I believe that baptism was a symbol of His death and resurrection.

Many other places in the Scriptures, baptism is associated with death...

Mark

Jesus’ water baptism is a precursor to his baptism in death, burial and resurrection.

And we too, when we are baptized in water we are picturing our spiritual death, burial and resurrection.

Jesus’ baptism was a picture of His death, burial and resurrection.

This is true of our baptism as well.

When you step in the waters of baptism, there is nothing magical or mystical that happens.

What does happen, however, is that you demonstrate to a watching world that you are now declared righteous based solely on Christ’s righteous, sacrificial work on the cross for you.

Biblical Baptism is Necessary

Biblical Baptism Requires Repentance...

Biblical Baptism Reflects Righteousness

4. Biblical Baptism has a Particular Mode (vs.

16a)

Jesus’ Baptism Demonstrates the mode (vs.

16a)

Baptism means to immerse, dip, or submerge every-time.