Matt 3-4

This morning was one of those days when the Word just opened up.  Specifically regarding baptism and righteousness.   With all the debates about baptism, it is clear that Jesus gave the reason for it.   He said in Vs 3:15 "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.  His only purpose was to be obedient to the Father.   The events we debate:  birth, death on the cross, suffering, baptism, temptations, healings, etc were all done as acts of obedience to the father.  Jesus did them because the Father told Him to.   Do we really need baptism for salvation?  Is salvation the moment when the Holy Spirit descends on us as it did Jesus?  The debates have been going on for hundreds of years.  Yes, we need to have our belief and stand firm in them, but we need not quarrel about those differences.  One fact that no one can quarrel about is that we are to be baptized because God said we are to be baptized.  That's good enough for me.  We can't be righteous without obedience in fulfilling His commands.  Jesus came to bear witness to the truth.  And the truth is, once again, God is God and we are not.  Amen.