Deconstructing the Christian Rite of Baptism

Baptism according to the New Testament entails water immersion in recognition of death and resurrection ofJesus and with an aim of remission for our sins. In the Bible, baptism have been severally mentioned and in different forms including baptism of fire, baptism of the holy spirit, baptism of Moses, baptism of fire, and baptism of water. As such, in the Old Testament, the numerous forms of baptisms were without doubt, a source of conflict among many churches. However, to harmonize the teaching in the Old Testament, as was His primary goal to earth, Jesus was born and baptized by john the Baptist through immersion into water and in His name. Accordingly, as Ephesians 4:4-6 points out, there is only one form of baptism as commanded by Jesus and the Apostles. As evident throughout the New Testament, baptism by immersion into water and in the name of Jesus for remission of our sins is the only form of baptism. Jesus while selecting his Apostles baptized themas a form of commissioning them to Christianity. Accordingly, the baptism of Jesus contains an ongoing relevance among Christian leadersand believers of the today’s Christian church. As such, the paper discusses the history of Jesus baptism, its importance, and its relevance in today’s Christian church.

In preparation for his ministry, Jesus went to john the Baptist for baptism. This was in line with prophesies about him by Isiah and Jeremiah. Moreover, John the Baptist had been announcing throughout where he went that people should start preparing for the coming of the Messiah(McDonnell, Kilian 200). He encouraged people to repent and turn away from their sins by accepting baptism. However, when Jesus appeared on the Scene of Baptism, John was reluctant to baptize him but instead sought for Jesus baptism. Nevertheless, Jesus told John to baptize Him so they could fulfill righteousness. Accordingly, John consented and Baptized Jesus. As Jesus got out of water, the heaven opened and spirit of God descended upon Jesus in form of a dove. Moreover, those who witnessed the Baptism pointed out of hearing a voice coming from heaven declaring Jesus to be His son whom He loves and with whom He is well pleased. According to Mathew 3: 16-17, God speaking from heaven, God the son becoming baptized, and the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus in form of dove formed the foundation of the trinity doctrine.

The baptism of Jesus had numerous significance. First, by choosing baptism, Jesus identified with the humankind. While waiting for john to baptize him, John refuses telling Him to baptize him. However, Jesus tells him to exercise his mandate so they could fulfill righteousness. By fulfilling righteousness, Jesus meant that he needed to follow the same path followed by the normal man in their pursuit for righteousness(Dowd 270). Consequently, by following the same path that humankind followed, Jesus identified with them. Moreover, by repenting, Jesus reinforces the actions of repentance and confession thereby identifying with those who seek salvation.

Moreover, by choosing to be baptized, Jesus served to exemplify to other Christians the need to be obedient. In the first place, both John and Jesus new thatJesus in his state required norepentance. However, to serve as an example to the others, Jesus chose to obey John so that the others would follow His steps. Moreover, by accepting john baptism, Jesus was meeting one of his father’s requirement. As such, Jesus exemplified to other believers that Christianity was all about being obedient to Godand other instructions necessary(McDonnell, Kilian 280). Moreover, his immersion into water exemplified God’s judgment at Calvary while His emergence from water acted as a pointer to his resurrection. Consequently, he would satisfy God’s demand thereby leaving a life of obedience.

Moreover, Jesus baptism served to anoint him. After undergoing baptism, Jesus ceased to be a tradesman and took His role as the Messiah. As such, the baptism served to inaugurate him to His ministry. Contraryto the then traditions where anointing was by rubbing oil on a person, Jesus anointing made use of water to exemplify purity. Moreover, it acted to distinguish His anointing from other normal anointing. While departing from the water, the Holy Spirit befell upon Him in the fro of a dove. Jesus’s State of being filled with the Holy Spirit anointed Him as the Messiah. Moreover, the confirmation by God’s voice recognizing Jesus as his son whom He loves and is pleased with served to anoint him as the chosen one of God(Dowd 280).In fact, according to Luke 4: 18, while Jesus stands before the synagogue to stat his ministry, Jesus confirms the presence of the Holy Spirit on him who has consequently anointed Him to preach the good news to the poor. Moreover, he says the Holy Spirit has sent him to free prisoners, recover sight for the blind, release the oppressed, and proclaim the year of lord’s favor. As such, he confirms that through baptism, Jesus got anointment to start his Messianic role and his ministry.

Lastly, by choosing John to baptize him, He approved of John’s baptism by bearing witness to it and from Heaven. According to Mathew 14:3-11, the action was important in the future when especially after Herod arrested Jesus and people began to doubt John’s authority. Therefore, at that challenging moment for John, having baptized Jesus helped remind those who were challenging him that he had authority from the messiah to stand for Him.

The baptism of Jesus has great relevance to today’s Christians. First, it reminds them tofollow the will of God regardless of whether it makes sense or not(McDonnell, Kilian 200).For John, it does not come out clean to him why Jesus needed Baptism. In fact, he reminds Jesus that He does not require his baptism but he should baptize John instead as He was holy. However, Jesus reminds him that it was the Will of His father to have John baptizes him for them to fulfil righteousness. As such, John and Jesus fulfilled the will of God despite not making sense to John. As such, as a Christians, one needs to learn how to follow God’s command even if it may be meaningless to them.Secondly, Baptism of Jesus reminds Christians that through baptism, one receives the grace necessary to live a life that God(Dowd 290). After undergoing baptism, Jesus was preparing to fulfill his messianic role. According to previous prophecies, Jesus was to be born a Messiah as God wished. As such, baptism was preparing Him to live a life that God wished Him to live. Similarly, as a Christians, one gets to live a life that God designated them to live once they choose accept baptism.

Baptism remains a significant rite for Christians while being ushered to the church. For many Christians, one becomes a full member to the church after baptism using water while confessing the name of Jesus. Most Christians draw their inspiration from baptism of Jesus as it offers a wide range of teachings as well as signifying lessening for one’s sins. As such, understanding the history and significance of Jesus’s baptism proves imperative for a true Christian.