What was the Purpose of Jesus Baptism?
Dear Mr. Thurman, I would like to ask you concerning John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. What purpose was it? If John was not in the New Testament church, why was he allowed to baptize Jesus? The purpose of John s baptism is clearly stated in the Bible: John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, (Mark 1:3). The Scripture points out that there went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins, (Matt. 3:5-6). When he baptized them, he also told them, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose He must increase, but I must decrease, (Mark 1:7; John 3:30). When Jesus came to be baptized by John, John forbade him saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteo
