Baptism of the Lord

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My understanding is that one of the reasons he submitted to the act of baptism was to sanctify Baptism as a Sacrament for entry into the Christian Church, the Body of Christ. This is where he was revealed by the Father as His Son. So it is with Christians in baptism, we are revealed as sons and daughters of God.

Just as Jews were circumsized to enter into God’s Covenant with Israel, Christians are Baptised to enter into God’s New Convenant with Christ’s Body, His Church. Christ submitted himself Sacramentally in order to be in perfect obedience to the fullfillment of the law and to be our perfect example.

I probably didn’t even cover the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the spiritual depths of Christ’s Baptism, but hopefully it will give you enough to chew on for awhile.
 
Jesus’ baptism was also His anointing as the descendant of David who would rule Israel and the whole world. In the OT, kings were anointed with oil and they received the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ anointing was His baptism, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him.
 
I also wanted to add that the Catholic Church teaches that Baptism is a regenerative washing from our sins; but of course in Christ’s Baptism, His sins were non existent. His Baptism was a Sanctification of that Sacrament for our cleansing and was an example for our following.
 
It seems fitting to me that the one who was going to end his ministry by dying in the stead of sinners ought to start his ministry by standing among them, seeming as if one of them. John the Baptist calls to mind how Jesus will end his earthly ministry when Jesus comes to get baptized by pointing him out as the lamb of God.

Just a stray thought.
 
I believe Jesus was baptised in order to verify John the Baptist as a man of God.–nicolo
 
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nico1089:
I believe Jesus was baptised in order to verify John the Baptist as a man of God.–nicolo
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While that may have been a secondary consideration, the emphasis is not on John the Baptist, but on the Lord - just as John testifies in saying that “He must increase and I must decrease.” IOW, Jesus doesn’t come to confirm John’s ministry, but John comes to initiate Jesus’ public ministry.
 
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