Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him [consented].
Matthew 3:13-15

John’s baptism was not Christian [believers’] baptism as we practice baptism this side of the cross and resurrection. While believers’ baptism proclaims our association with Christ, John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. In that day and in that culture, Gentile converts to Judaism were baptized as a sign of that conversion. For a Jew to be baptized by John was nothing less than an acknowledgement that the person was no nearer to God than a pagan. Why then did Jesus request to be baptized by John? He had no sins for which to repent, and He certainly was not estranged from God.

As believers we get baptized to declare our association with Christ. Jesus was baptized to declare His association with the sinners He came to save. His baptism was necessary to fulfill all righteousness, since every sinner He came to save must “repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38).

When we are baptized as believers, we are declaring our faith in Christ and our association with the sinless Savior who condescended to publicly declare His association with the sinful people He came to save.

If you have been baptized as a believer, think of your association with the Savior who stooped to associate with you.

If you are a believer and have not been baptized, please speak with one of the elders. We can help shepherd you to “fulfill all righteousness” in your baptism.