Christ's Justification

For many years I questioned why Jesus would need baptism. He had no sins to be forgiven. Baptists seem to think it helps their case in proving Baptism is for after sins are forgiven. It can't be since Jesus had no sins previously forgiven.

The answer to why Christ was baptized is right in the text. It wasn't for something already past, but something future.

"to fulfill all righteousness"

It was something that fulfilled something, not done for something already fulfilled. Baptists should weep. They have been lying about the topic.

The word righteousness is actually the word justification. They have the same greek root. Jesus was baptized to be justified. This seems odd since Jesus was born to be sinless, he was God's son; but justification isn't something you are born into, it must be lived out and fulfilled.

Baptists have fought hard to prove baptism can't be part of justification, but Christ proves otherwise.

G1343

δικαιοσύνη

dikaiosunē

dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay

From G1342; equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification: - righteousness.

Total KJV occurrences: 92

Whether this was justification by figure, works, or faith or all we can argue, we can't argue against justification by baptism. Jesus was baptized to attain justification before his Father.

G1343

δικαιοσύνη

dikaiosunē

Thayer Definition:

1) in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God

1a) the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God

1b) integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting

2) in a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due

Part of Speech: noun feminine

A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G1342

Citing in TDNT: 2:192, 168

The end result of Christ's baptism was God's pronouncement,

"This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased."

Also, Christ used the word "Us", it was the duty of all to fulfill all righteousness. This could be Jesus and John, but us could be a reference to God's people. Fulfilling God's will isn't faith only, but actively doing the will of the Father as his will is made known to us..