NIGERIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION SEEK DAILY (NBC) Wednesday September 27 FULFIL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS

RBT: Haggai 1-2

Memory Verse: Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Matthew 3:15, NIV

Bible Text: Matthew 3:13-17

3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 

3:14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 

3:15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 

3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 

3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Baptism is a special time celebration in the life of a Christian and the church. Before the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry, John the Baptist was preaching the message of repentance to people and baptising them in River Jordan. Jesus also went there as a sign of divine approval. For John the Baptist's ministry to be fulfilled, Jesus must be baptised by him. 

John the Baptist was baptising people for repentance from sin and, Jesus, being fully God and fully man is sinless, hence John's baptism was not for Jesus. Jesus was sinless and He did not need to be forgiven. Jesus surrendered Himself to the exercise as a sign of humility and for God the Father to identify Him as the beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. 

Beloved, how patriotic are you as a citizen of your country, or as a member of your local church? Are you born again, and have you submitted yourself for baptism? 

Baptism does not equate salvation but it entails obedience to the Word of God. To fulfil all righteousness, go and do it.

Insight: Baptism by immersion is a must for all believers.

Prayer: LORD Jesus, remove every trait of pride in me in Jesus' name.