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What does it mean that he was baptized to fulfill all righteousness?

SteelHead wrote:What does it mean that he was baptized to fulfill all righteousness?

Had to be washed clean of original sin?

Or the sin of elohim and mary in conceiving him?

SteelHead wrote:What does it mean that he was baptized to fulfill all righteousness?

I would guess that the phrase to "fulfill all righteousness" actually corresponds to what a Rabbi would tell his talmudin when they correctly lived out Torah, that they had "fulfilled the Torah" (fulfilled the law, it reads in KJV). This is as opposed to what a Rabbi would tell a disciple who failed to properly live or expound upon the Torah (i.e. that the student had destroyed the law and the prophets.)

If so, then this is consistent with Matthew's purpose of writing to the Jews. Tying Christ's baptism to the fulfillment of Torah, and this theme of presenting Him as a perfect Jew, underscores Matthew's gospel. The question then becomes, how does baptism fulfill Torah? Where in the Torah is baptism taught?

Some commentators see Mikveh as a precursor to immersion baptism as it offered not only ritual purification but also opened the gate for proselytes. Convert baptisms are referred to in Rabbinic literature from the time of Hillel and Shammai as a means of marking the point of conversion (along with circumcision and sacrifice) and entering into the covenant. Jesus almost universally supported the teachings of Hillel (except for his extremely liberal views on divorce) and was probably schooled by Hillel's disciples. Seeing baptism as the gateway to a new period of discipleship would not be unusual for Him.

One thing is sure, baptism by immersion was a Jewish practice, not a "Christian" one. It wasn't just Pharisees who practiced these baptisms, the Essene community also invited proselytes to have their sinfulness washed away and enter the order by covenant after a year of being schooled in proper thought and conduct. If I recall correctly, this is one of several reasons some commentators believe John the Baptist was an Essene.

There's actually a good bit of interesting research by contemporary scholars and theologians on the historical Jesus that puts the New Testament back into its original context. It's fascinating whether or not you are a believer.

6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?

7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be a obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.

Is god subject to his own commandments, or only when in a mortal state?

SteelHead wrote:Is god subject to his own commandments, or only when in a mortal state?

Following the Do Not Kill commandment would have drastically altered the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon.

Who gives a damn why jezzus was baptized. He badmouthed the Roman empire, pissed off the Jews, and sought to supplant the Roman empire with his own nasty version of Jehovahism. The Romans did what they felt needed to be done and killed him. Good riddance! He was a crazy madman running around telling people to eat his flesh and drink his blood. He needed to be put down!

Only fools today call jezzus, God. Stupid!



Paul O

I wrote a blog post about this. Jesus was identifying himself with God and receiving the Holy Spirit with this new "baptism of Jesus."

http://wp.me/p2GU7-vg

The penguin of peace made my point.

Why did Jesus need to be baptized, when he willy nilly violates commandments across the Old Testament?