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Indy4now
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Username: Indy4now

Post Number: 720
Registered: 2-2008


Posted on Saturday, August 15, 2009 - 6:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm studying through Matthew now. I'm stuck on Matt. 3:15.


quote:

NASB Matt.3:15
But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he *permitted Him.




This is my question: Why would Jesus need to be baptized to "fulfill righteousness". I know that Christ fulfilled the Law and the Prophets... but how does water baptism fit into that? Also, this is a baptism for repentance, had they starting water baptisms before that as purification rites in the temple? Or was John the Baptist the first to start baptizing by water?

I guess I'd like to hear your thoughts on this verse or chapter.

vivian
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 10235
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Saturday, August 15, 2009 - 7:32 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Vivian, I like what the NIV Study Notes (Zondervan) say about this passage:

This occasion marked the begnning of Christ's Messianic ministry. There were several reasons for His baptism: 1. The first, mentioned here, was "to fulfill all righteousness." The baptism indicated that He was consecrated to God and officially approved by Him, as especially shown in the descent of the Holy Spirit (v. 16) and the words of the Father (v. 17; cf. Ps 2:7; Is 42:1). All God's righteous requirements for the Messiah were fully met in Jesus. 2. At Jesus' baptism John publicly announced the arrival of the Messiah and the inception of His ministry (John 1:31-34). 3. By His baptism Jesus completey identified Himself with man's sin and failure (though He Himsef needed no repentance or cleansing from sin), becoming our substitute (2 Cor 5:21). 4. His baptism was an example to His followers.

I think those analyses make senses. I've also pondered this verse...

Colleen
Intruth
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Posted on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 12:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

great question Vivian...

excellent explaination Colleen...

thank you.
Indy4now
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Username: Indy4now

Post Number: 721
Registered: 2-2008


Posted on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 3:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I posted this question on Facebook and Brian replied with this:


quote:

Exo 29:4-7 HCSB Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. .... Take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him.

From Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible:

"Our Lord represented the high priest, and was to be the high priest over the house of God: - now, as the high priest was into his office by washing and anointing, so must Christ: and hence he was baptized, washed, and anointed by the Holy Ghost. Thus he fulfilled the righteous ordinance of his initiation into the office of high priest, and thus was prepared to make an atonement for the sins of mankind."




First of all, I think this is another great example of how Matthew utilizes the word "fulfill". Jesus completed the requirement for righteousness just like He fulfilled the Law and the Prophets.

Another thing that I just saw after reading these posts is that we fulfill righteousness also by washing our sins with Christ's blood and by being "anointed" or "sealed" by the Holy Spirit.

pretty nice.

vivian
8thday
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Username: 8thday

Post Number: 1129
Registered: 11-2007


Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 8:19 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow - I don't know how I missed that connection - but it was fulfilling the Law in that respect. Great insight!
Sondra
Jrt
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Username: Jrt

Post Number: 747
Registered: 10-2008
Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 8:53 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sondra,
I didn't get another connection until I read your post ... Matthew 28 ... Where Jesus spoke to his followers what to do "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you". (Matt. 28:19,20)...

And this is in the context of the book of Matthew. He "fulfilled" in another way what He was to say, before He even said it at the end of His ministry ...

Don't know if that makes sense or if I'm on the right track a bit ...

Keri

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