QUESTION:
 Why was Jesus baptized? 

ANSWER:
 The baptism of Jesus is recorded in Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 5:21-22 and 
John 1:29-34. Since Jesus was without sin, we know that his baptism was not for the 
remission of sins. All people, accountable to God, are commanded to be baptized in 
order for their sins to be forgiven Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, 1Peter 3:21, Romans 
6:3-4. When our Lord came to John requesting baptism, John was reluctant to comply 
with the request saying “I need to be baptized of you, and are you coming to me?” 
Jesus answered “permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all 
righteousness.” The short answer to the above question is: Jesus was baptized to 
fulfill the righteousness of God. But, what does that mean? Righteousness comes from 
the word dikaiosune, and is defined as “the character or quality of being right or 
just…right action.” (Vine) This word is often used “in the sense of fulfilling the 
divine statutes.” (Arndt and Gingrich) Hence Jesus was baptized in order to fulfill 
God’s will. His obedience to God provides for us an example. Peter declared that 
Christ left us an example, ”that ye should follow in his steps.” (1Peter 2:21) In 
order for us to be forgiven of our sins, we must comply with God’s statutes that 
require baptism in water Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, and 8:37-38. Following the baptism 
of Jesus, he entered into His ministry. His baptism served as the occasion of 
validating John’s message and gave proof of His being the “Lamb of God” as John had 
preached (John 1:29-34). Some denominational organizations practice baptism in order 
to emulate the actions of Jesus. However, they teach that such baptism is not 
necessary in order to be saved. Since Jesus was baptized in order to fulfill a 
divine statute, if we follow his example, we will be baptized for the same reason, 
in which case baptism is not an option, but a command of God. Those in Acts 2:38 
were not given an option, but were commanded to be baptized in order for their sins 
to be forgiven. All sinners today must do the same thing.