"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad 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 fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him." (Matthew 3:13-15)

What is the purpose of baptism?

Is it to cause us to be born again?

If that is the case, then why did Jesus feel that it was necessary for Himself?

Is it to secure our identity as one of God’s children and save us eternally?

Again, why would the Son of God need to secure His identity as the Son of God or be saved for that matter?

Jesus gives us the answer. He says it is necessary to fulfill all righteousness. He is saying that it is a righteous act to be done in obedience to God. It is not to be done in order to gain anything from God. It is to be done in obedience. So basically, He is saying that if we believe Jesus died for us then we are being disobedient if we are not baptized!

Believers should come with the understanding of what Christ has done for them and be seeking to show that Jesus died for them, was buried for them, and was raised for them. Following the Lord in baptism is the first step in being a disciple and the clearest expression of love for the grace of God.