ÿWPC· ‰°ç�!I‘Ès¿iùõn«~_\÷˜4ÿGAæ¼åk{‹†'í$}úá[�’¤¼Š3ꬻ8è˜÷ù|Êð–pñŽåíMKùÓŲ(SX˜‰Œ@Þÿ7±ôîmäËK¨$ÜμЧ‘…Y}MýëÅŠJöÜâ“¶_W¬GuiÞ™ÒtÊqŒD²ßr½Âê{1™»r®%;�ÁöœÚ/)íAÃNA×îAó«jSi(sìÙòÈ®EÀ¶bGhÛ½Á•GC\ÛïA M3"’ýR?ëõ@‡Ê3æ6U%* &BhiŒPNö"ßë,OD¢¿ìI‹ôIj? Z Žu¤]¡‘éqÍ­±B«KüƒÉJ§çÚžÐ=M>+k´s,qžXCЀÖe83¡Õ…ƒ»¸Dmwù¨;FžêV¹RšÒc¬Q¿¬Z{’“¦Î8Ñþ} —1#3Ê]tÚt]M^sF*5•ƒ•Í4÷D?%T‹Ýû… tG®&/^-©l­ršoðE;4UBlœ\I âO[àîL“ë“Eu6ý…ƒtëœÆŽtæžšën±ö-ü> ÇLÁ~þ0¡øŸ ª©¿JÔžGʃn?E­"Uì?�¨�p:ÌF:Î)käê§ëÈ`û .#É„UGNM %› 0:¡^ Ûwç4ëÿ m 0U' 0Ý| 0¿Y 0¹ 0³Ñ 0­„ 0§1 0¡Ø 0›y 0¿ 0ËÓ 0­ž 0§K 0¡ò 0›“ 0•. 0�à 0‡R 0¼Ù 0È• 0ª] 0¤ 0ž« 0˜I 0’á 0Œs 0„ÿUI>ƒÈÁ 0V‰bßàZùùùdS˜Canon TR8600 seriesìî.**.ìî0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,ÔRžX\Â�¢8\ntFold3|x ÿU‹ÿÿÿÿ*+ ÿÿ(_26Ô2ÔÔ3  Ôà..à*D+D ÿÿ(_25Ó ¨ý ÓÓ ° ÓÓ,"Œ Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤,ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ,"Œ Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤,ÓÓ ¨ý ÓÓ ° Ó*5+5 ÿÿ(_24Ó  ÓÓ)ä ä <”ìDœôL¤)ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ)ä ä <”ìDœôL¤)ÓÓ  Ó*2+2 ÿÿ(_23Ó ` ÓÓ&<<”ìDœôL¤&ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ&<<”ìDœôL¤&ÓÓ ` Ó*/+/ ÿÿ(_22Ó ¸ ÓÓ#””ìDœôL¤#ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ#””ìDœôL¤#ÓÓ ¸ Ó*,+, ÿÿ(_21Ó  ÓÓ ììDœôL¤ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ ììDœôL¤ ÓÓ  Ó*)+) ÿÿ(_20Ó h ÓÓDDœôL¤ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓDDœôL¤ÓÓ h Ó*&+& ÿÿ(_19Ó À ÓÓœœôL¤ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓœœôL¤ÓÓ À Ó*#+# ÿÿ(_18Ó  ÓÓ ôôL¤ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ ôôL¤ÓÓ  Ó*>> ÿÿ(_17Ó  ÓÓ2(Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤2ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó2(Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤2ÓÓ  Ó*DD ÿÿ(_16Ó ¨ý ÓÓ ° ÓÓ,"Œ Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤,ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó,"Œ Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤,ÓÓ ¨ý ÓÓ ° Ó*55 ÿÿ(_15Ó  ÓÓ)ä ä <”ìDœôL¤)ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó)ä ä <”ìDœôL¤)ÓÓ  Ó*22 ÿÿ(_14Ó ` ÓÓ&<<”ìDœôL¤&ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó&<<”ìDœôL¤&ÓÓ ` Ó*// ÿÿ(_13Ó ¸ ÓÓ#””ìDœôL¤#ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó#””ìDœôL¤#ÓÓ ¸ Ó*,, ÿÿ(_12Ó  ÓÓ ììDœôL¤ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó ììDœôL¤ ÓÓ  Ó*)) ÿÿ(_11Ó h ÓÓDDœôL¤ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€ÓDDœôL¤ÓÓ h Ó*&& ÿÿ(_10Ó À ÓÓœœôL¤ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€ÓœœôL¤ÓÓ À Ó(## ÿÿ&_9Ó  ÓÓ ôôL¤ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó ôôL¤ÓÓ  Ó(>> ÿÿ&_8Ó  ÓÓ2(Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤2ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ2(Ü Ü4Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤2ÓÓ  Ó(DD ÿÿ&_7Ó ¨ý ÓÓ ° ÓÓ,"Œ Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤,ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ,"Œ Œ ä <”ìDœôL¤,ÓÓ ¨ý ÓÓ ° Ó(55 ÿÿ&_6Ó  ÓÓ)ä ä <”ìDœôL¤)ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ)ä ä <”ìDœôL¤)ÓÓ  Ó(22 ÿÿ&_5Ó ` ÓÓ&<<”ìDœôL¤&ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ&<<”ìDœôL¤&ÓÓ ` Ó(// ÿÿ&_4Ó ¸ ÓÓ#””ìDœôL¤#ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ#””ìDœôL¤#ÓÓ ¸ Ó(,, ÿÿ&_3Ó  ÓÓ ììDœôL¤ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ ììDœôL¤ ÓÓ  Ó()) ÿÿ&_2Ó h ÓÓDDœôL¤ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓDDœôL¤ÓÓ h Ó(&& ÿÿ&_1Ó À ÓÓœœôL¤ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓœœôL¤ÓÓ À Ó&## ÿÿ$_Ó  ÓÓ ôôL¤ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ ôôL¤ÓÓ  Óô\  `&Times New Roman ¾Ý ƒ(½Þ'ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà@¦ ¦ ìàò òWHY€WAS€THE€LORD€JESUS€CHRIST€BAPTIZED?Ô‡¼üè»XXÔó óÔ#†X©dX»¼üèy#Ô(.3½Þ$§§Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝPage ù of &ù8DocumentManagement::ModifiedBooleanTRUE baptismosmikvasmikva repentancelessÝ ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ  ÓÔ‡&X©dXXXÔÖ€'ÿÿÖÑ€)ÑÑ8€©dXXdìdÈ8ÑÑ  Ñà@  ìàò òÔ#†X©dXX&X©dI#ÔÔ‡¼üè»XX©dÔWHY€WAS€THE€LORD€JESUS€CHRIST€BAPTIZED?ó óÔ#†X©dX»¼üè #ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dԈР° Ðà@88ìàÔ‡&ô¥eòX&X©dÔBy€Brother€Mike€SutherlandÔ#†&X©dXò&ô¥e¼#ÔˆÐ Ä ÐÌThis€study€came€about€as€the€result€of€a€question€that€was€asked€at€the€end€of€a€Sunday€School€lessonÐ tÄ Ðas€to€why€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€was€baptized.€This€is€yet€another€case€where€the€Holy€Ghost€usedÐ `° Ða€question€that€was€asked€of€the€teacher€to€teach€the€teacher.€This€is€one€of€the€reasons€that€I€put€soÐ L œ Ðmuch€emphasis€on€asking€questions€in€Sunday€School.€The€Holy€Ghost€uses€those€questions€forÐ 8 ˆ Ðteaching€opportunities.€The€Lord€Jesus€Christ€said€in€òòJohn€14:26óó:Ð $ t ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©du#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòòóóòò26€óóBut€the€Comforter,€which€is€the€Holy€Ghost,€whom€the€Father€will€send€in€myÐ ü L  Ðname,€he€shall€teach€you€all€things,€and€bring€all€things€to€your€remembrance,Ð è 8  Ðwhatsoever€I€have€said€unto€you.€òòJohn€14:26óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©d–#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐÔ$ Ð Ð  ÐÔ#†X©dXX&X©dÛ#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÌTeachers€and€students€must€have€a€teachable€Spirit€if€they€are€to€learn€and€that€Spirit€is€the€HolyÐ ¬ü  ÐGhost.€The€question€that€was€asked€following€that€Sunday€School€class€was:€ð ðSince€Jesus€is€holy,Ð ˜è  Ðwhy€did€he€need€to€be€baptized?ðð.€€òòMatthew€3:1„17Ô#†X©dXX&X©d<#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔóó,òò€Mark€1:1„13Ô#†X©dXX&X©d¦#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔóó,òò€Luke€3:2„23Ô#†X©dXX&X©dû#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔóó,€and€òòJohn€1:19„36Ô#†X©dXX&X©dP#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐ „Ô  Ðóóare€all€accounts€of€the€baptism€of€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ.€These€passages€read:Ð pÀ Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©dª#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò1€óóIn€those€days€came€John€the€Baptist,€preaching€in€the€wilderness€of€Judaea,€òò2€óóAndÐ H˜ Ðsaying,€Repent€ye:€for€the€kingdom€of€heaven€is€at€hand.€òò3€óóFor€this€is€he€that€wasÐ 4„ Ðspoken€of€by€the€prophet€Esaias,€saying,€The€voice€of€one€crying€in€the€wilderness,Ð  p ÐPrepare€ye€the€way€of€the€Lord,€make€his€paths€straight.€òò4€óóAnd€the€same€John€had€hisÐ  \ Ðraiment€of€camelððs€hair,€and€a€leathern€girdle€about€his€loins;€and€his€meat€wasÐ øH Ðlocusts€and€wild€honey.€òò5€óóThen€went€out€to€him€Jerusalem,€and€all€Judaea,€and€all€theÐ ä4 Ðregion€round€about€Jordan,€òò6€óóAnd€were€baptized€of€him€in€Jordan,€confessing€theirÐ Ð  Ðsins.€òò7€óóBut€when€he€saw€many€of€the€Pharisees€and€Sadducees€come€to€his€baptism,Ð ¼  Ðhe€said€unto€them,€O€generation€of€vipers,€who€hath€warned€you€to€flee€from€theÐ ¨ø Ðwrath€to€come?€òò8€óóBring€forth€therefore€fruits€meet€for€repentance:€òò9€óóAnd€think€not€toÐ ”ä Ðsay€within€yourselves,€We€have€Abraham€to€our€father:€for€I€say€unto€you,€that€GodÐ €Ð Ðis€able€of€these€stones€to€raise€up€children€unto€Abraham.€òò10€óóAnd€now€also€the€axe€isÐ l¼ Ðlaid€unto€the€root€of€the€trees:€therefore€every€tree€which€bringeth€not€forth€good€fruitÐ X ¨ Ðis€hewn€down,€and€cast€into€the€fire.€òò11€óóI€indeed€baptize€you€with€water€untoÐ D!” Ðrepentance:€but€he€that€cometh€after€me€is€mightier€than€I,€whose€shoes€I€am€notÐ 0"€  Ðworthy€to€bear:€he€shall€baptize€you€with€the€Holy€Ghost,€and€with€fire:€òò12€óóWhose€fanÐ #l! Ðis€in€his€hand,€and€he€will€throughly€purge€his€floor,€and€gather€his€wheat€into€theÐ $X" Ðgarner;€but€he€will€burn€up€the€chaff€with€unquenchable€fire.€òò13€óóThen€cometh€JesusÐ ô$D # Ðfrom€Galilee€to€Jordan€unto€John,€to€be€baptized€of€him.€òò14€óóBut€John€forbad€him,Ð à%0!$ Ðsaying,€I€have€need€to€be€baptized€of€thee,€and€comest€thou€to€me?€òò15€óóAnd€JesusÐ Ì&"% Ðanswering€said€unto€him,€Suffer€it€to€be€so€now:€for€thus€it€becometh€us€to€fulfil€allÐ ¸'#& Ðrighteousness.€Then€he€suffered€him.€òò16€óóAnd€Jesus,€when€he€was€baptized,€went€upÐ ¤(ô#' Ðstraightway€out€of€the€water:€and,€lo,€the€heavens€were€opened€unto€him,€and€he€sawÐ �)à$( Ðthe€Spirit€of€God€descending€like€a€dove,€and€lighting€upon€him:€òò17€óóAnd€lo€a€voiceÐ |*Ì%) Ðfrom€heaven,€saying,€This€is€my€beloved€Son,€in€whom€I€am€well€pleased.Ô#†X©dXX&X©d– #ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔ€òòMatthewÐ h+¸&* Ð3:1„17óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©d8#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐdÐ Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©d§#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò1€óóThe€beginning€of€the€gospel€of€Jesus€Christ,€the€Son€of€God;€òò2€óóAs€it€is€written€in€theÐ <Ø Ðprophets,€Behold,€I€send€my€messenger€before€thy€face,€which€shall€prepare€thy€wayÐ ( Ä Ðbefore€thee.€òò3€óóThe€voice€of€one€crying€in€the€wilderness,€Prepare€ye€the€way€of€theÐ  ° ÐLord,€make€his€paths€straight.€òò4€óóJohn€did€baptize€in€the€wilderness,€and€preach€theÐ  œ Ðbaptism€of€repentance€for€the€remission€of€sins.€òò5€óóAnd€there€went€out€unto€him€all€theÐ ì ˆ Ðland€of€Judaea,€and€they€of€Jerusalem,€and€were€all€baptized€of€him€in€the€river€ofÐ Ø t ÐJordan,€confessing€their€sins.€òò6€óóAnd€John€was€clothed€with€camelððs€hair,€and€with€aÐ Ä ` Ðgirdle€of€a€skin€about€his€loins;€and€he€did€eat€locusts€and€wild€honey;€òò7€óóAndÐ °L  Ðpreached,€saying,€There€cometh€one€mightier€than€I€after€me,€the€latchet€of€whoseÐ œ8  Ðshoes€I€am€not€worthy€to€stoop€down€and€unloose.€òò8€óóI€indeed€have€baptized€you€withÐ ˆ$  Ðwater:€but€he€shall€baptize€you€with€the€Holy€Ghost.€òò9€óóAnd€it€came€to€pass€in€thoseÐ t  Ðdays,€that€Jesus€came€from€Nazareth€of€Galilee,€and€was€baptized€of€John€in€Jordan.Ð `ü  Ðòò10€óóAnd€straightway€coming€up€out€of€the€water,€he€saw€the€heavens€opened,€and€theÐ Lè  ÐSpirit€like€a€dove€descending€upon€him:€òò11€óóAnd€there€came€a€voice€from€heaven,Ð 8Ô  Ðsaying,€Thou€art€my€beloved€Son,€in€whom€I€am€well€pleased.€òò12€óóAnd€immediately€theÐ $À ÐSpirit€driveth€him€into€the€wilderness.€òò13€óóAnd€he€was€there€in€the€wilderness€fortyÐ ¬ Ðdays,€tempted€of€Satan;€and€was€with€the€wild€beasts;€and€the€angels€ministered€untoÐ ü˜ Ðhim.Ô#†X©dXX&X©d7#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔ€òòMark€1:1„13óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©d®#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐè„Ð Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©d#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò2€óóAnnas€and€Caiaphas€being€the€high€priests,€the€word€of€God€came€unto€John€the€sonÐ À\ Ðof€Zacharias€in€the€wilderness.€òò3€óóAnd€he€came€into€all€the€country€about€Jordan,Ð ¬H Ðpreaching€the€baptism€of€repentance€for€the€remission€of€sins;€òò4€óóAs€it€is€written€in€theÐ ˜4 Ðbook€of€the€words€of€Esaias€the€prophet,€saying,€The€voice€of€one€crying€in€theÐ „  Ðwilderness,€Prepare€ye€the€way€of€the€Lord,€make€his€paths€straight.€òò5€óóEvery€valleyÐ p  Ðshall€be€filled,€and€every€mountain€and€hill€shall€be€brought€low;€and€the€crookedÐ \ø Ðshall€be€made€straight,€and€the€rough€ways€shall€be€made€smooth;€òò6€óóAnd€all€flesh€shallÐ Hä Ðsee€the€salvation€of€God.€òò7€óóThen€said€he€to€the€multitude€that€came€forth€to€beÐ 4 Ð Ðbaptized€of€him,€O€generation€of€vipers,€who€hath€warned€you€to€flee€from€the€wrathÐ  !¼ Ðto€come?€òò8€óóBring€forth€therefore€fruits€worthy€of€repentance,€and€begin€not€to€sayÐ  "¨ Ðwithin€yourselves,€We€have€Abraham€to€our€father:€for€I€say€unto€you,€That€God€isÐ ø"” Ðable€of€these€stones€to€raise€up€children€unto€Abraham.€òò9€óóAnd€now€also€the€axe€is€laidÐ ä#€  Ðunto€the€root€of€the€trees:€every€tree€therefore€which€bringeth€not€forth€good€fruit€isÐ Ð$l! Ðhewn€down,€and€cast€into€the€fire.€òò10€óóAnd€the€people€asked€him,€saying,€What€shallÐ ¼%X" Ðwe€do€then?€òò11€óóHe€answereth€and€saith€unto€them,€He€that€hath€two€coats,€let€himÐ ¨&D # Ðimpart€to€him€that€hath€none;€and€he€that€hath€meat,€let€him€do€likewise.€òò12€óóThen€cameÐ ”'0!$ Ðalso€publicans€to€be€baptized,€and€said€unto€him,€Master,€what€shall€we€do?€òò13€óóAndÐ €("% Ðhe€said€unto€them,€Exact€no€more€than€that€which€is€appointed€you.€òò14€óóAnd€theÐ l)#& Ðsoldiers€likewise€demanded€of€him,€saying,€And€what€shall€we€do?€And€he€said€untoÐ X*ô#' Ðthem,€Do€violence€to€no€man,€neither€accuse€any€falsely;€and€be€content€with€yourÐ D+à$( Ðwages.€òò15€óóAnd€as€the€people€were€in€expectation,€and€all€men€mused€in€their€hearts€ofÐ 0,Ì%) ÐJohn,€whether€he€were€the€Christ,€or€not;€òò16€óóJohn€answered,€saying€unto€them€all,€IÐ d Ðindeed€baptize€you€with€water;€but€one€mightier€than€I€cometh,€the€latchet€of€whoseÐ Pì Ðshoes€I€am€not€worthy€to€unloose:€he€shall€baptize€you€with€the€Holy€Ghost€and€withÐ <Ø Ðfire:€òò17€óóWhose€fan€is€in€his€hand,€and€he€will€throughly€purge€his€floor,€and€will€gatherÐ ( Ä Ðthe€wheat€into€his€garner;€but€the€chaff€he€will€burn€with€fire€unquenchable.€òò18€óóAndÐ  ° Ðmany€other€things€in€his€exhortation€preached€he€unto€the€people.€òò19€óóBut€Herod€theÐ  œ Ðtetrarch,€being€reproved€by€him€for€Herodias€his€brother€Philipððs€wife,€and€for€all€theÐ ì ˆ Ðevils€which€Herod€had€done,€òò20€óóAdded€yet€this€above€all,€that€he€shut€up€John€inÐ Ø t Ðprison.€òò21€óóNow€when€all€the€people€were€baptized,€it€came€to€pass,€that€Jesus€alsoÐ Ä ` Ðbeing€baptized,€and€praying,€the€heaven€was€opened,€òò22€óóAnd€the€Holy€GhostÐ °L  Ðdescended€in€a€bodily€shape€like€a€dove€upon€him,€and€a€voice€came€from€heaven,Ð œ8  Ðwhich€said,€Thou€art€my€beloved€Son;€in€thee€I€am€well€pleased.€òò23€óóAnd€Jesus€himselfÐ ˆ$  Ðbegan€to€be€about€thirty€years€of€age,€being€(as€was€supposed)€the€son€of€Joseph,Ð t  Ðwhich€was€the€son€of€Heli,Ô#†X©dXX&X©d’#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔ€òòLuke€3:2„23óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©d2,#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐ`ü Ð Ð  Ðà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©d†,#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©dó,#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò19€óóAnd€this€is€the€record€of€John,€when€the€Jews€sent€priests€and€Levites€fromÐ 8Ô  ÐJerusalem€to€ask€him,€Who€art€thou?€òò20€óóAnd€he€confessed,€and€denied€not;€butÐ $À Ðconfessed,€I€am€not€the€Christ.€òò21€óóAnd€they€asked€him,€What€then?€Art€thou€Elias?Ð ¬ ÐAnd€he€saith,€I€am€not.€Art€thou€that€prophet?€And€he€answered,€No.€òò22€óóThen€said€theyÐ ü˜ Ðunto€him,€Who€art€thou?€that€we€may€give€an€answer€to€them€that€sent€us.€WhatÐ è„ Ðsayest€thou€of€thyself?€òò23€óóHe€said,€I€am€the€voice€of€one€crying€in€the€wilderness,Ð Ôp ÐMake€straight€the€way€of€the€Lord,€as€said€the€prophet€Esaias.€òò24€óóAnd€they€which€wereÐ À\ Ðsent€were€of€the€Pharisees.€òò25€óóAnd€they€asked€him,€and€said€unto€him,€Why€baptizestÐ ¬H Ðthou€then,€if€thou€be€not€that€Christ,€nor€Elias,€neither€that€prophet?€òò26€óóJohn€answeredÐ ˜4 Ðthem,€saying,€I€baptize€with€water:€but€there€standeth€one€among€you,€whom€ye€knowÐ „  Ðnot;€òò27€óóHe€it€is,€who€coming€after€me€is€preferred€before€me,€whose€shoeððs€latchet€IÐ p  Ðam€not€worthy€to€unloose.€òò28€óóThese€things€were€done€in€Bethabara€beyond€Jordan,Ð \ø Ðwhere€John€was€baptizing.€òò29€óóThe€next€day€John€seeth€Jesus€coming€unto€him,€andÐ Hä Ðsaith,€Behold€the€Lamb€of€God,€which€taketh€away€the€sin€of€the€world.€òò30€óóThis€is€heÐ 4 Ð Ðof€whom€I€said,€After€me€cometh€a€man€which€is€preferred€before€me:€for€he€wasÐ  !¼ Ðbefore€me.€òò31€óóAnd€I€knew€him€not:€but€that€he€should€be€made€manifest€to€Israel,Ð  "¨ Ðtherefore€am€I€come€baptizing€with€water.€òò32€óóAnd€John€bare€record,€saying,€I€saw€theÐ ø"” ÐSpirit€descending€from€heaven€like€a€dove,€and€it€abode€upon€him.€òò33€óóAnd€I€knew€himÐ ä#€  Ðnot:€but€he€that€sent€me€to€baptize€with€water,€the€same€said€unto€me,€Upon€whomÐ Ð$l! Ðthou€shalt€see€the€Spirit€descending,€and€remaining€on€him,€the€same€is€he€whichÐ ¼%X" Ðbaptizeth€with€the€Holy€Ghost.€òò34€óóAnd€I€saw,€and€bare€record€that€this€is€the€Son€ofÐ ¨&D # ÐGod.€òò35€óóAgain€the€next€day€after€John€stood,€and€two€of€his€disciples;€òò36€óóAnd€lookingÐ ”'0!$ Ðupon€Jesus€as€he€walked,€he€saith,€Behold€the€Lamb€of€God!€òòJohn€1:19„36óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©dX-#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔЀ("%Ð Ð  ÐÔ#†X©dXX&X©d*7#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÌOut€of€these€four€passages€come€the€question€of€why€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€was€baptized.€These€fourÐ X*ô#' Ðpassages€also€raise€other€questions€that€relate€to€the€purpose€of€baptism.€Many€folks€have€been€taughtÐ D+à$( Ðthat€baptism€washes€away€sin€and€is€therefore€necessary€for€salvation.€That€is€not€what€the€BibleÐ 0,Ì%) Ðteaches.€Water€baptism€cannot€wash€away€sin.€It€is€only€the€blood€of€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€that€canÐ d Ðwash€away€sin.€By€insisting€that€water€baptism€washes€away€sin,€many€make€the€Lord€Jesus€ChristÐ Pì Ða€sinner.€Not€only€did€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€not€sin,€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€could€not€sin€because€HeÐ <Ø ÐIS€God€manifest€in€the€flesh.€òòHebrews€4:15óó€and€òòHebrews€9:28óó€state:Ð ( Ä ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©d‹7#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò15€óóFor€we€have€not€an€high€priest€which€cannot€be€touched€with€the€feeling€of€ourÐ  œ Ðinfirmities;€but€was€in€all€points€tempted€like€as€we€are,€yet€without€sin.€òòHebrewsÐ ì ˆ Ð4:15óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©d ;#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐØ tÐ Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àòò28€óóSo€Christ€was€once€offered€to€bear€the€sins€of€many;€and€unto€them€that€look€forÐ °L  Ðhim€shall€he€appear€the€second€time€without€sin€unto€salvation.€òòHebrews€9:28óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©d+<#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔМ8 Ð Ð  ÐÌSince€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€could€not,€and€did€not€sin,€the€purpose€of€his€baptism€could€not€haveÐ t  Ðbeen€to€wash€away€sin.€That€in€itself€disproves€any€doctrine€that€states€that€you€must€be€baptized€toÐ `ü  Ðbe€saved.€The€thief€on€the€cross€was€not€baptized€either.€Yet,€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€said€he€wouldÐ Lè  Ðbe€with€Him€in€Paradise€that€very€day.€There€are€also€untold€millions€of€Old€Testament€saints€whoÐ 8Ô  Ðdid€not€have€Christian€baptism€who€will€be€in€heaven€because€salvation€is€by€faith€and€not€byÐ $À Ðbaptism.€Ð ¬ ÐNow€to€the€issue€of€why€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€was€baptized.€There€are€several€purposes€identifiedÐ ü˜ Ðin€the€passages€that€deal€with€his€baptism.€The€first€and€most€obvious€reason€is€that€the€Lord€JesusÐ è„ ÐChrist€commanded€John€the€Baptist€to€baptize€him.€In€òòMatthew€3:15óó€the€Lord€told€John€to€ð ðsufferÐ Ôp Ðit€to€be€so€nowðð.€To€suffer€someone€to€do€something€is€to€allow€them€to€do€it€with€prejudice€orÐ À\ Ðreservation.€What€Jesus€was€telling€John€is€that€even€though€I€know€you€do€not€want€to€do€it,€do€itÐ ¬H Ðanyhow.€The€second€reason€the€baptism€was€done€was€ð ðfor€thus€it€becometh€us€to€fulfil€allÐ ˜4 Ðrighteousnessðð.€Ô#†X©dXX&X©d{=#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔWhat€Jesus€was€telling€John€is€that€He,€Jesus,€had€to€be€baptized€to€fulfill€all€theÐ „  Ðrighteous€requirements€of€the€law.€Another€key€is€contained€in€the€statement€from€òòLuke€3:23óó€whichÐ p  Ðreads€ð ðAnd€Jesus€himself€began€to€be€about€thirty€years€of€ageÔ#†X©dXX&X©d)C#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔðð.€The€significance€of€this€statementÐ \ø Ðis€that€no€one€could€enter€into€the€priesthood€until€he€was€at€least€thirty€years€of€age.€ThatÐ Hä Ðrequirement€comes€from€Numbers€chapter€4€and€indicates€that€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€was€about€toÐ 4 Ð Ðembark€on€His€priesthood.€Even€though€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€was€of€the€tribe€of€Judah,€he€was€toÐ  !¼ Ðbe€anointed€high€priest€forever€after€the€order€of€Melchisedec.€òòPsalm€110:1„4óó€and€òòHebrews€6:20Ð  "¨ Ðóósays:Ð ø"” ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©d‘D#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò1€óóA€Psalm€of€David.€The€LORD€said€unto€my€Lord,€Sit€thou€at€my€right€hand,€untilÐ Ð$l! ÐI€make€thine€enemies€thy€footstool.€òò2€óóThe€LORD€shall€send€the€rod€of€thy€strength€outÐ ¼%X" Ðof€Zion:€rule€thou€in€the€midst€of€thine€enemies.€òò3€óóThy€people€shall€be€willing€in€theÐ ¨&D # Ðday€of€thy€power,€in€the€beauties€of€holiness€from€the€womb€of€the€morning:€thouÐ ”'0!$ Ðhast€the€dew€of€thy€youth.€òò4€óóòòò òThe€LORD€hath€sworn,€and€will€not€repent,€Thou€artÐ €("% Ða€priest€for€ever€after€the€order€of€Melchizedekóó.ó óÔ#†X©dXX&X©dG#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔ€òòPsalm€110:1„4óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©d«I#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐp) #&Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©dJ#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò20òòò ò€óóWhither€the€forerunner€is€for€us€entered,€even€Jesus,€made€an€high€priest€forÐ L+è$( Ðever€after€the€order€of€Melchisedecóó.ó ó€òòHebrews€6:20óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©doJ#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐ8,Ô%)Ð Ð  ЇWhen€ð ðthe€LORD€said€unto€my€Lordðð€in€Psalm€110€that€was€God€the€Father€speaking€to€God€theÐ d ÐSon.€Hallelujah!€These€passages€establish€the€fact€that€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€was€THE€High€Priest.Ð Pì ÐSince€he€is€THE€High€Priest,€one€of€the€reasons€for€His€baptism€is€contained€in€òòExodus€29:1„8óó,Ð <Ø ÐÔ#†X©dXX&X©d_K#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòòExodus€40:12„15óó,€and€òòLeviticus€8:6„12óó€where€it€is€written:Ð ( Ä ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©d&M#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò1€óóAnd€this€is€the€thing€that€thou€shalt€do€unto€them€to€hallow€them,€to€minister€untoÐ  œ Ðme€in€the€priestððs€office:€Take€one€young€bullock,€and€two€rams€without€blemish,€òò2Ð ì ˆ ÐóóAnd€unleavened€bread,€and€cakes€unleavened€tempered€with€oil,€and€wafersÐ Ø t Ðunleavened€anointed€with€oil:€of€wheaten€flour€shalt€thou€make€them.€òò3€óóAnd€thouÐ Ä ` Ðshalt€put€them€into€one€basket,€and€bring€them€in€the€basket,€with€the€bullock€and€theÐ °L  Ðtwo€rams.€òò4òòò ò€óóAnd€Aaron€and€his€sons€thou€shalt€bring€unto€the€door€of€theÐ œ8  Ðtabernacle€of€the€congregation,€and€shalt€wash€them€with€wateróó.ó ó€òò5€óóAnd€thou€shaltÐ Œ(  Ðtake€the€garments,€and€put€upon€Aaron€the€coat,€and€the€robe€of€the€ephod,€and€theÐ |  Ðephod,€and€the€breastplate,€and€gird€him€with€the€curious€girdle€of€the€ephod:€òò6€óóAndÐ h  Ðthou€shalt€put€the€mitre€upon€his€head,€and€put€the€holy€crown€upon€the€mitre.€òò7€óóThenÐ Tð  Ðshalt€thou€take€the€anointing€oil,€and€pour€it€upon€his€head,€and€anoint€him.€òò8€óóAndÐ @Ü  Ðthou€shalt€bring€his€sons,€and€put€coats€upon€them.€òòExodus€29:1„8óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©dÐM#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐ,ÈÐ Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àòò12òòò ò€óóAnd€thou€shalt€bring€Aaron€and€his€sons€unto€the€door€of€the€tabernacle€of€theÐ   Ðcongregation,€and€wash€them€with€wateróó.€ó óòò13€óóAnd€thou€shalt€put€upon€Aaron€theÐ ðŒ Ðholy€garments,€and€anoint€him,€and€sanctify€him;€that€he€may€minister€unto€me€in€theÐ à| Ðpriestððs€office.€òò14€óóAnd€thou€shalt€bring€his€sons,€and€clothe€them€with€coats:€òò15€óóAndÐ Ìh Ðthou€shalt€anoint€them,€as€thou€didst€anoint€their€father,€that€they€may€minister€untoÐ ¸T Ðme€in€the€priestððs€office:€for€their€anointing€shall€surely€be€an€everlasting€priesthoodÐ ¤@ Ðthroughout€their€generations.€òòExodus€40:12„15óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©dùR#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐ�,Ð Ð  Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àòò6€óóòòò òAnd€Moses€brought€Aaron€and€his€sons,€and€washed€them€with€wateróó.ó ó€òò7€óóAndÐ h Ðhe€put€upon€him€the€coat,€and€girded€him€with€the€girdle,€and€clothed€him€with€theÐ Xô Ðrobe,€and€put€the€ephod€upon€him,€and€he€girded€him€with€the€curious€girdle€of€theÐ D à Ðephod,€and€bound€it€unto€him€therewith.€òò8€óóAnd€he€put€the€breastplate€upon€him:€alsoÐ 0!Ì Ðhe€put€in€the€breastplate€the€Urim€and€the€Thummim.€òò9€óóAnd€he€put€the€mitre€upon€hisÐ "¸ Ðhead;€also€upon€the€mitre,€even€upon€his€forefront,€did€he€put€the€golden€plate,€theÐ #¤ Ðholy€crown;€as€the€LORD€commanded€Moses.€òò10€óóAnd€Moses€took€the€anointing€oil,Ð ô#�  Ðand€anointed€the€tabernacle€and€all€that€was€therein,€and€sanctified€them.€òò11€óóAnd€heÐ à$|! Ðsprinkled€thereof€upon€the€altar€seven€times,€and€anointed€the€altar€and€all€his€vessels,Ð Ì%h" Ðboth€the€laver€and€his€foot,€to€sanctify€them.€òò12€óóAnd€he€poured€of€the€anointing€oilÐ ¸&T # Ðupon€Aaronððs€head,€and€anointed€him,€to€sanctify€him.Ô‡&ô¥eòX&X©dÔ€Ô#†&X©dXò&ô¥e:[#ÔòòLeviticus€8:6„12óóÔ‡&ô¥eòX&X©dÔÔ#†ô¥eòò&ô¥eXV#ÔÔ‡&ô¥eòòô¥eÔФ'@!$Ð Ð  ÐÔ#†ô¥eòò&ô¥eÕ[#ÔÔ#†X©dXòô¥e“[#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÌNote€that€òòExodus€29:4óó,€òòExodus€40:12óó,€and€òòLeviticus€8:6óó€state€that€the€priests€had€to€be€òòò òWASHEDó óóóÐ |)#& ÐBEFORE€they€could€enter€into€their€priestly€duties.€This€was€a€requirement€of€the€law€and€it€wasÐ l*$' Ðtherefore€required€of€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€that€he€be€ceremonially€WASHED€to€enter€the€priesthoodÐ X+ô$( Ðto€fulfil€all€righteousness€of€the€law.€The€Lord€Jesus€Christ€said€in€òòMatthew€5:17„18óó:Ð d ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©dY\#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò17€óóThink€not€that€I€am€come€to€destroy€the€law,€or€the€prophets:€I€am€not€come€toÐ <Ø Ðdestroy,€but€to€fulfil.€òò18€óóFor€verily€I€say€unto€you,€Till€heaven€and€earth€pass,€one€jotÐ ( Ä Ðor€one€tittle€shall€in€no€wise€pass€from€the€law,€till€all€be€fulfilled.€òòMatthew€5:17„18óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©d—^#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐ °Ð Ð  ÐÌAgain,€the€law€placed€upon€him€the€requirement€to€be€WASHED€before€he€could€enter€theÐ ì ˆ Ðpriesthood.€We€know€from€Hebrews€9:10€that€that€washing€involved€submersion.€òòHebrews€9:6„10Ð Ø t Ðóóreads:Ð Ä ` ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©d`#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò6€óóNow€when€these€things€were€thus€ordained,€the€priests€went€always€into€the€firstÐ œ8  Ðtabernacle,€accomplishing€the€service€of€God.€òò7€óóBut€into€the€second€went€the€òòò òhighÐ ˆ$  Ðpriestó óóó€alone€once€every€year,€not€without€blood,€which€he€offered€for€himself,€andÐ x  Ðfor€the€errors€of€the€people:€òò8€óóThe€Holy€Ghost€this€signifying,€that€the€way€into€theÐ h  Ðholiest€of€all€was€not€yet€made€manifest,€while€as€the€first€tabernacle€was€yetÐ Tð  Ðstanding:€òò9€óóWhich€was€a€figure€for€the€time€then€present,€in€which€were€offered€bothÐ @Ü  Ðgifts€and€sacrifices,€that€could€not€make€him€that€did€the€service€perfect,€as€pertainingÐ ,È Ðto€the€conscience;€òò10€óóWhich€stood€only€in€meats€and€drinks,€and€òòò òdivers€washingsó óóó,€andÐ ´ Ðcarnal€ordinances,€imposed€on€them€until€the€time€of€reformation.Ô‡&ô¥eòX&X©dÔ€Ô#†&X©dXò&ô¥eYe#ÔòòHebrews€9:6„10óóÔ‡&ô¥eòX&X©dÔÔ#†ô¥eòò&ô¥e�a#ÔÔ‡&ô¥eòòô¥eÔФРР ÐÔ#†ô¥eòò&ô¥eòe#ÔÔ#†X©dXòô¥e°e#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÌÔ#†X©dXX&X©dvf#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔWe€know€that€the€phraseò ò€òòð ðdivers€washingsóóðð€ó óis€a€reference€to€the€submersion€necessary€for€baptismÐ à| Ðbecause€the€word€ð ðwashingsðð€is€translated€from€the€Greek€word€ð ðbaptismosðð€which€is€transliteratedÐ Ðl Ðinto€the€English€word€ð ðbaptismðð€in€our€New€Testament.€Note€also€from€òòExodus€29:7óó,€òòExodus€40:15óó,Ð ¼X Ðand€òòLeviticus€8:12óó€that€the€High€Priest€had€to€be€anointed.€That€anointing€took€place€when€the€HolyÐ ¨D ÐGhost€descended€as€a€dove€upon€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€in€òòMatthew€3:16óó,òò€Mark€1:10óó,òò€Luke€3:22óó,€andÐ ”0 ÐòòJohn€1:33óó.€All€priests€including€the€High€Priest€were€required€to€be€anointed€with€oil.€Oil€is€a€typeÐ € Ðof€the€Holy€Ghost€in€the€Word€of€God.€So,€the€baptism€of€the€Holy€Ghost€was€the€anointing€of€theÐ l ÐLord€Jesus€Christ€as€THE€HIGH€PRIEST.€Since€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€was€to€come€as€Prophet,Ð Xô ÐPriest,€and€King€this€anointing€was€also€for€the€purpose€of€declaring€Him€to€be€the€King,€the€JewishÐ D à ÐMessiah,€since€God€declared€that€all€Kings€that€were€to€rule€over€His€people€were€to€be€anointed€byÐ 0!Ì Ðthe€priest.€At€the€baptism€of€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€John€the€Baptist€was€also€fulfilling€the€role€ofÐ "¸ Ðpriest€since€he€was€of€the€priestly€lineage€because€his€father€Zacharias€was€a€priest€in€the€course€ofÐ #¤ ÐAbia.€That€is€why€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€said€ð ðthus€it€becometh€òòò òUSó óóó€to€fulfil€all€righteousnessÔ#†X©dXX&X©d¹f#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔðð.€Ð ô#�  ÐSo,€why€did€the€Pharisees€ask€of€John€the€Baptist€in€òòJohn€1:25óó:€ð ðAnd€they€asked€him,€and€said€untoÐ ä$€! Ðhim,€Why€baptizest€thou€then,€if€thou€be€not€that€Christ,€nor€Elias,€neither€that€prophet?ðð?€TheÐ Ð%l" Ðlogical€reason€is€that€they€were€expecting€the€Messiah€(Christ),€that€Prophet€and€Elijah€(Elias)€toÐ ¼&X # Ðcome€baptizing.Ô#†X©dXX&X©dCm#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔ€The€phrase€ð ðthat€prophetðð€is€a€reference€to€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€from€òòDeuteronomyÐ ¨'D!$ Ð18:15„19óó€where€it€is€written:Ð ”(0"% ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©do#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò15€óóThe€LORD€thy€God€will€raise€up€unto€thee€òòò òa€Prophetó óóó€from€the€midst€of€thee,€of€thyÐ l*$' Ðbrethren,€like€unto€me;€unto€him€ye€shall€hearken;€òò16€óóAccording€to€all€that€thouÐ \+ø$( Ðdesiredst€of€the€LORD€thy€God€in€Horeb€in€the€day€of€the€assembly,€saying,€Let€meÐ d Ðnot€hear€again€the€voice€of€the€LORD€my€God,€neither€let€me€see€this€great€fire€anyÐ Pì Ðmore,€that€I€die€not.€òò17€óóAnd€the€LORD€said€unto€me,€They€have€well€spoken€thatÐ <Ø Ðwhich€they€have€spoken.€òò18€óóI€will€raise€them€up€òòò òa€Prophetó óóó€from€among€their€brethren,Ð ( Ä Ðlike€unto€thee,€and€will€put€my€words€in€his€mouth;€and€he€shall€speak€unto€them€allÐ  ´ Ðthat€I€shall€command€him.€òò19€óóAnd€it€shall€come€to€pass,€that€whosoever€will€notÐ    Ðhearken€unto€my€words€which€he€shall€speak€in€my€name,€I€will€require€it€of€him.Ô‡&ô¥eòX&X©dÔÐ ð Œ ÐÔ#†&X©dXò&ô¥eîs#ÔòòDeuteronomy€18:15„19óóÔ‡&ô¥eòX&X©dÔÔ#†ô¥eòò&ô¥ep#ÔÔ‡&ô¥eòòô¥eÔÐÜ xÐ Ð  ÐÔ#†ô¥eòò&ô¥e¡t#ÔÔ#†X©dXòô¥e_t#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÌÔ#†X©dXX&X©d%u#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔNow,€what€would€give€the€Pharisees€the€idea€that€the€Messiah€would€come€baptizing?Ô#†X©dXX&X©dhu#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔ€It€is€likely€thatÐ ´P  Ðthe€Pharisees€had€in€mind€òòEzekiel€36:22„28óó:Ð  <  ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©düu#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò22€óóTherefore€say€unto€the€house€of€Israel,€Thus€saith€the€Lord€GOD;€I€do€not€this€forÐ x  Ðyour€sakes,€O€house€of€Israel,€but€for€mine€holy€nameððs€sake,€which€ye€have€profanedÐ d  Ðamong€the€heathen,€whither€ye€went.€òò23€óóAnd€I€will€sanctify€my€great€name,€which€wasÐ Pì  Ðprofaned€among€the€heathen,€which€ye€have€profaned€in€the€midst€of€them;€and€theÐ <Ø  Ðheathen€shall€know€that€I€am€the€LORD,€saith€the€Lord€GOD,€when€I€shall€beÐ (Ä Ðsanctified€in€you€before€their€eyes.€òò24€óóFor€I€will€take€you€from€among€the€heathen,€andÐ ° Ðgather€you€out€of€all€countries,€and€will€bring€you€into€your€own€land.€òò25€óóòòò òThen€willÐ œ ÐI€sprinkle€clean€water€upon€you,€and€ye€shall€be€clean:€from€all€your€filthiness,Ð ðŒ Ðand€from€all€your€idols,€will€I€cleanse€youó óóó.€òò26€óóA€new€heart€also€will€I€give€you,€andÐ Üx Ða€new€spirit€will€I€put€within€you:€and€I€will€take€away€the€stony€heart€out€of€yourÐ Ìh Ðflesh,€and€I€will€give€you€an€heart€of€flesh.€òò27€óóAnd€I€will€put€my€spirit€within€you,€andÐ ¸T Ðcause€you€to€walk€in€my€statutes,€and€ye€shall€keep€my€judgments,€and€do€them.€òò28Ð ¤@ ÐóóAnd€ye€shall€dwell€in€the€land€that€I€gave€to€your€fathers;€and€ye€shall€be€my€people,Ð �, Ðand€I€will€be€your€God.€òòEzekiel€36:22„28óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©d¸v#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐ|Ð Ð  ÐÌIt€could€also€be€that€the€Jews€were€expecting€a€baptizing€Messiah€because€of€òòZechariah€13:1óó€whichÐ Tð Ðreads:Ð @ Ü ÐÌà8  àÔ#†X©dXX&X©d­|#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò1€óóIn€that€day€there€shall€be€ò òa€fountainó ó€opened€to€the€house€of€David€and€to€theÐ "´ Ðinhabitants€of€Jerusalem€for€sin€and€for€uncleanness.€òòZechariah€13:1óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©d³}#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐ#¤Ð Ð  ÐÌUnder€the€inspiration€of€the€Holy€Ghost,€John€the€Baptist€used€the€Jewish€expectation€of€a€baptizingÐ à$|! ÐMessiah€fromòò€Ezekiel€36:25óó€and€òòZechariah€13:1óó€to€enlighten€the€Jews€that€the€baptism€they€shouldÐ Ì%h" Ðbe€looking€for€from€the€Messiah€was€the€baptism€of€the€Holy€Ghost€when€the€Spirit€of€God€wouldÐ ¸&T # Ðbe€put€within€them€in€fulfillment€of€òòEzekiel€36:26„27óó.€John€the€Baptist€told€the€Jews€that€theÐ ¤'@!$ ÐMessiah,€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€would€be€baptizing€òòò òWITHó óóó€the€Holy€Ghost.€The€Holy€Ghost€baptizesÐ �(,"% Ðno€one.€It€is€always€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€doing€the€baptism€with€the€Holy€Ghost.€In€the€six€timesÐ €)#& Ðthat€Holy€Ghost€baptism€appears€in€the€New€Testament€it€is€always€people€being€baptized€WITH€theÐ l*$' ÐHoly€Ghost€and€NOT€BY€the€Holy€Ô_ÔGhost.Ô#†X©dXX&X©d¯~#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÔ_ÔÐ X+ô$( ÐYet€another€reason€for€the€baptism€of€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€is€given€in€òòJohn€1:30„31óó:Ð d ÐÔ#†X©dXX&X©d˜‚#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dԀРPì Ðà8  àÔ_ÔÔ#†X©dXX&X©doƒ#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòò30Ô_Ô€óóThis€is€he€of€whom€I€said,€After€me€cometh€a€man€which€is€preferred€before€me:Ð <Ø Ðfor€he€was€before€me.€òò31€óóAnd€I€knew€him€not:€òòò òbut€that€he€should€be€made€manifestÐ ( Ä Ðto€Israel,€therefore€am€I€come€baptizing€with€wateróó.ó ó€Ô#†X©dXX&X©dãƒ#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòòJohn€1:30„31óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©dM…#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔÐ ´Ð Ð  ÐÌThe€manifestation€that€is€spoken€of€in€òòJohn€1:31óó€is€the€manifestation€of€the€Jewish€Messiah.€JohnÐ ô � Ðis€telling€the€Jews€that€he€came€baptizing€as€a€sign€to€them€that€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€was€theÐ à | ÐMessiah€they€were€looking€for.Ð Ì h ÐBaptism€has€never€been€the€means€to€salvation.€Baptism€has€always€been€the€means€of€identifyingÐ ¸T  Ðwith€fellow€believers€and€the€local€church.€When€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€was€baptized,€he€wasÐ ¤@  Ðidentifying€himself€with€all€the€baptized€believers€that€would€follow€him.€òòActs€2:41óó€identifiesÐ �,  Ðbaptism€as€the€door€to€church€membership.€For€Bible€believers,€baptism€has€always€been€aÐ |  Ðceremonial€ordinance€(rite)€that€follows€salvation.€Baptism€is€not€a€sacrament€leading€to€salvation.Ð h  ÐÌBaptism€(always€by€immersion)€was€also€practiced€by€the€Jews€during€the€ministry€of€John€theÐ @Ü  ÐBaptist€because€the€Jews€baptized€all€Gentiles€who€wished€to€convert€to€Judaism.€The€Jews€duringÐ ,È Ðthe€time€of€John€the€Baptist€constructed€special€baptismal€pools€known€as€mikvas.€Even€today,Ð ´ ÐOrthodox€Jews€will€not€build€a€synagogue€until€they€have€constructed€a€mikva.Ð   ÐThe€baptism€of€John€and€the€baptism€commanded€by€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€in€òòMatthew€28:19„20óó€wasÐ ðŒ Ða€cold€slap€in€the€face€of€the€pharisees€who€made€all€converts€to€Judaism€be€baptized€because€theyÐ Üx Ðcondemned€them€as€pagans.€We€can€rest€assured€that€part€of€Johnððs€rebuke€in€òòMatthew€3:7„10óó€wasÐ Èd Ða€condemnation€by€the€Holy€Ghost€of€that€very€practice€of€Jewish€baptism€that€required€noÐ ´P Ðrepentance.€There€is€a€lesson€in€all€that€from€the€Holy€Ghost.€The€water€of€repentanceless€baptismÐ  < Ðwill€be€turned€into€scalding,€blistering€steam€in€the€fiery€pits€of€hell.€Baptism€cannot€save€you€fromÐ Œ( Ðthe€wrath€which€is€to€come.€Repentance€toward€God€and€faith€toward€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€and€hisÐ x Ðblood€is€the€only€act€that€can€deliver€you€from€the€wrath€which€is€to€come€(òòActs€20:21óó).€ReadÐ d ÐòòMatthew€3:7„10óó€again:Ð Pì ÐÌà8  àòò7€óóBut€when€he€saw€many€of€the€Pharisees€and€Sadducees€come€to€his€baptism,€he€saidÐ (!Ä Ðunto€them,€O€generation€of€vipers,€who€hath€warned€you€to€flee€from€the€wrath€toÐ "° Ðcome?€òò8€óóBring€forth€therefore€fruits€meet€for€repentance:€òò9€óóAnd€think€not€to€say€withinÐ #œ Ðyourselves,€We€have€Abraham€to€our€father:€for€I€say€unto€you,€that€God€is€able€ofÐ ì#ˆ  Ðthese€stones€to€raise€up€children€unto€Abraham.€òò10€óóAnd€now€also€the€axe€is€laid€untoÐ Ø$t! Ðthe€root€of€the€trees:€therefore€every€tree€which€bringeth€not€forth€good€fruit€is€hewnÐ Ä%`" Ðdown,€and€cast€into€the€fire.€Ô#†X©dXX&X©d¡…#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔòòMatthew€3:7„10óóÔ#†X©dXX&X©dÅ‘#ÔÔ‡&X©dXXX©dÔа&L #Ð Ð  ÐÌò òó óÔ#†X©dXX&X©d’#ÔThe€liquid€of€baptism€cannot€wash€away€your€sins€and€make€you€whole€again.€Only€the€liquid€of€theÐ ˆ($"% Ðblood€of€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ€can€wash€away€your€sins€and€make€you€whole€again.€What€can€washÐ t)#& Ðaway€my€sin?€Nothing€but€the€blood€of€Jesus.€What€can€make€me€whole€again?€Nothing€but€theÐ `*ü#' Ðblood€of€Jesus.€Oh!€Precious€is€the€flow€that€makes€me€white€as€snow;€No€other€fount€I€know,Ð L+è$( ÐNothing€but€the€blood€of€Jesus.€There€is€a€fountain€filled€with€blood€drawn€from€Immanuelððs€veins!Ð 8,Ô%) ÐHallelujah!!