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Why was Jesus baptized in the New Testament? Moreover, why does baptism even exist in the New Testament? After reading the old it seems it is not present anywhere.

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  • Jesus was baptized in order to "fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:14-15). Although Jesus was already righteous he lived a righteous life on our behalf fulfilling all that we should do (including baptism). Baptism exists as the New Covenant fulfillment of circumcision (read Colossians 2:11-12). So baptism is foreshadowed in the Old Testament in circumcision. Baptism exists in the New Covenant Church to forgive sin and grant salvation to all who believe the Gospel.
    – JRystedt
    Mar 27, 2016 at 1:52
  • (-1) There is certainly Immersion Baptism in the Old Testament. Many commandments regarding ceremonial uncleanness require an immersion baptism to become ceremonially clean again. See religiousrules.com/Judaismpurity02general.htm
    – Andrew
    Sep 9, 2016 at 15:31
  • Baptism for the remission of sins is not a part of the Old Testament.
    – nobody
    Sep 10, 2016 at 4:21

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John the Baptist was baptizing in repentance of sin:

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'" - Matthew 3:3 - Matthew 3:1-3 ESV

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Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. - Matthew 3:8 ESV

And

"I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. - Matthew 3:11 ESV

But Jesus was without sin, and not in need of repentance, a point that John himself observes:

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" - Matthew 3:13-14 ESV

But Jesus tells him that:

15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." - Matthew 3:15-17 ESV

This then, is a fufillment of prophecy from Isaiah:

3 A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." - Isaiah 40:3-5 ESV

So John was baptizing people in a symbolic ceremony of repentance before the lord. Jesus was baptized in a symbolic ceremony of the fufillment of prophecy and ordination from the Father, through John. In doing so, it establishes Jesus authority and ministry.

Secondarily, and like all of Jesus' actions, it gives us a model for what we should be doing on Earth.

18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:18-20 ESV

Most Protestant churches baptize today in a symbolic ceremony of the sins that are washed away through faith in Christ and as an outward public proclamation of the transformation happening inside the believer.

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  • While based on the Gospel of Matthew that makes sense, taken into context with the whole of the Old Testament it seems a little weak. I can see how the Pharisees would be so angry to jail him after reading through it. Nowhere does it give an example of baptism by immersion for the forgiveness of sins, only through a sin offering in the holiest of holies (holys? sp?).
    – nobody
    Mar 26, 2016 at 22:07
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    @BenNelson As you stated, it doesn't exist in the Old Testament, save for what you are referencing in Leviticus 16, washing before putting on the sacred garments.
    – Jon the Architect
    Mar 27, 2016 at 0:44
  • @BenNelson Maybe its the reason why Jesus says that "there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist". IMHO the bigger difference between John and the OT prophets is the baptims institution.
    – Click Ok
    Mar 27, 2016 at 16:33

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