Synergy of Matthew 3:13-17/Mark 1:9-11/Luke 3:21,22
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.
And straightway coming up out of the water,
he saw the heavens opened,
And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him,
and a voice came from heaven, which said,
Thou art my beloved Son;
in thee I am well pleased.
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Ananias Adds - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16 (Ananias to Paul)
"Jesus did not receive baptism as a confession of guilt on His own
account. He identified Himself with sinners, taking the steps that we are to take, and doing the work that we must do.
Upon coming up out of the water, Jesus bowed in prayer on the river bank. A new and important era was opening before Him. He was now, upon a wider stage, entering on the conflict of His life."
Desire of Ages p.111 E.G.W.
