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  THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JESUS' BAPTISM
  by Timothy Tow
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Summary: The sermon explores the significance of Jesus' baptism as a
fulfillment of righteousness and a model for ministry.

Topics: "Baptism", "Salvation Plan"
Scripture References: John 1:29

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DESCRIPTION
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Timothy Tow preaches on the significance of Jesus' baptism, highlighting
how it fulfills all righteousness as the Son of Man growing up under the
Law of Moses and entering His public ministry as God's High Priest.
Jesus, as the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, inaugurates
the New Testament rite of baptism for those who repent and believe in
Him, emphasizing the importance of being baptized after believing in
Jesus for salvation. The baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of His
weighty mission to work out God's Salvation Plan for mankind,
demonstrating the full manifestation of the Holy Trinity in action.

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CONTENT
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Text: Matt 3:13 -17

At the height of the Revival Ministry of John the Baptist at the River
Jordan, suddenly there appeared Jesus our Lord also seeking Baptism.
What is the significance of Jesus' Baptism when He is the Spotless Lamb
of God that taketh away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29 )?. Besides, He
who requests baptism is the same who baptises with the Holy Spirit (Jn
1:33 ).

The Baptism of Jesus, according to our Lord, is "to fulfill all
righteousness" (Matt 3:15 ). As the Son of Man growing up under the Law
of Moses, He fulfilled righteousness by being circumcised on the 8th
day, and after 33 days of Mary's purification, was presented before God
with the offering of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons (Lk
2:22-24).

To fulfil another righteousness Jesus followed Mary and Joseph to
Jerusalem to keep the Passover, at the age of 12. There He also became
conscious God was His Father (Lk 2:49 ).

Now at the age of 30 He is to enter His public ministry, like a priest
taking office at 30. To take office He must be ordained. Now, in the
consecration of priests there is the rite of washing (Ex 30:17-21).
Jesus' Baptism is not a sinner's baptism because He had no sin. J.C.
Ryle concludes that His washing is His consecration as God's High
Priest.

As the High Priest of God after the order of Melchizedek, He did not
what the Aaronic High Priest did, having to offer up sacrifice for his
own sins first and then for the people, but this He did once when He
offered up Himself. Therefore He is the One to baptise those who repent
of their sins by believing in Him. In order to inaugurate this New
Testament rite He was baptised by John to hallow it. Are you baptised
yet after you have believed in Jesus? Be quick to fulfil this
righteousness! For Jesus said, " He that believeth and is baptized shall
be saved" (Mk 16:16 ).

After baptism, whether by immersion or by ablution (the Bible is
silent), Jesus "went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the
heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying,
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Here is the full
manifestation of the Holy Trinity in action. According to B.B. Warfield
this is "God in heaven, God on earth, God descending from heaven to
earth." Why? Because the Son is now entering the weighty mission of
working out God's Salvation Plan for mankind, a most stupendous task. As
for a servant of God, all the more the pastor, before entering the
ministry, needs the hands and prayers of the Presbytery to ordain him.
He also has an onerous task and God's Word prescribes his ordination.

Jesus is the Pattern for us pastors. We are not revivalists like John
the Baptist. We live with and among the people, involved with their joys
and their sorrows. Jesus the Perfect Man goes to bless a wedding, even
making wine to relieve an embarrassing situation. He goes to funerals
and raises Lazarus, while weeping with Mary and consoling Martha. "For
even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and
to give his life a ransom for many" (Mk 10:45 ). Amen.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/timothy-tow/the-significance-of-jesus-baptism/
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