Matt. 3:1-17, "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, {2} And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. {3} For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. {4} And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. {5} Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, {6} And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. {7} But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? {8} Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: {9} And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to <our> father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. {10} And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. {11} I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and <with> fire: {12} Whose fan <is> in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. {13} Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. {14} But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? {15} And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer <it to be so> now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. {16} And Jesus, when he was baptized, 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: {17} And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Luke 3:23, "And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age,"

John 1:29-34, "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. {30} This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. {31} And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. {32} And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. {33} And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. {34} And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."

A. In this study, we will consider the Manner and the Significance of the Baptism of Jesus.

B. The Eternal Son of God Voluntarily became a man and Subjected Himself to all the limitations of a human body --- Why? --- In order That We might become Sons of God and Heirs of God.

Gal. 4:4-7, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, {5} To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. {6} And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. {7} Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

C. The Baptism of Jesus is mentioned in All Four Gospels --- emphasizing the Importance of This Step in Christ's earthly life --- Why was it important?

D. What was (and is) the Meaning and the Significance of His baptism?

I. At His Baptism, Jesus Was Declared To Be God's Beloved Son!

A. There can be No Higher Authority than for God Himself to give testimony to the Absolute Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matt. 3:17, "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

John 12:28, "Father , glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, <saying>, I have both glorified <it>, and will glorify <it> again."

B. After His baptism, John said:

John 1:34, "And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."

C. Notice also that the Trinity is revealed in the Baptismal scene:

1. The Son is being baptized,

2. The Spirit is descending as a dove,

3. The Father is speaking from Heaven.

II. At His Baptism, Jesus Demonstrated His Humility.

A. He was God manifested in human flesh, yet He Voluntarily Submitted to this ordinance of baptism.

Matt. 3:13, "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him."

B. Matt. 20:27-28, "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: {28} Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

C. Phil. 2:5-8, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: {6} Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: {7} But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: {8} And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

D. Do We possess this quality of meekness of humility?

1 Peter 5:5, "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all <of you> be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."

John 13:1-17, "Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. {2} And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's <son>, to betray him; {3} Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; {4} He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. {5} After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe <them> with the towel wherewith he was girded. {6} Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? {7} Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. {8} Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. {9} Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also <my> hands and <my> head. {10} Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash <his> feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. {11} For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. {12} So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? {13} Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for <so> I am. {14} If I then, <your> Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. {15} For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. {16} Verily , verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. {17} If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

III. At His Baptism, Jesus Signified His Willingness & Intention To Be Our Sin-Bearer & Saviour!

A. His baptism was His Public Inauguration to His great work of Redemption.

B. Jesus certainly did Not Need To Be Baptized, for He had No Sins to repent of or to confess.

1. However, in order that He might be Identify With Sinful Man --- He submitted to baptism ...

2. He laid his spotless and sinless life at the disposal of the Father --- for the work of redemption.

C. John 1:29, "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

D. Matt. 20:28, "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

IV. At His Baptism, Jesus Portrayed The Manner In Which His Redemption Would Be Accomplished!

A. Think of it, He was baptized --- Immersed.

Matt. 3:16, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:"

B. Rom. 6:4, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

C. 1 Cor. 15:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, ... {3} For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; {4} And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

A. Luke 3:21-22, "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, {22} And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased."

1. Luke 4:18, "The Spirit of the Lord <is> upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,"

2. Acts 10:38, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

B. But, What About Ourselves? --- Before we are fit for service we must have the same Enduement of Power.

Luke 11:13, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall <your> heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

Luke 24:49, "And , behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Eph. 5:18, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"

C. If the Lord Jesus Christ needed the anointing of the Holy Spirit --- How much more so do you and I?

VI. At His Baptism, Jesus Left Us An Example That We Should Follow In His Steps.

A. 1 Peter 2:21, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"

B. He was baptized in order "to Fulfil All Righteousness".

1. Or, in order to Do That Which Was Right And Pleasing In God's Eyes ...

2. And His word to us is: "Follow Me!"

C. John 21:22, "Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what <is that> to thee? follow thou me."

D. Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. {19} Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {20} Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, <even> unto the end of the world. Amen."

VII. At His Baptism, Jesus Taught Us The Most Important Lesson of All.

A. The Full Blessing of God Can Only Be Experienced When We Are Ready And Willing To Obey Him Absolutely.

Matt. 3:17, "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

B. Acts 9:6, "And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord <said> unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."