Why was Jesus baptized?

“Why did Jesus get baptized? Some people point to His baptism as proof that baptism is required for salvation.”—Daniel

Matthew records Jesus’ words at His baptism: “ . . . it is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). Though the text teaches nothing about “baptism as a requirement for salvation”, it does offer several reasons for this moment.

The word for “righteousness” connotes the character of God—His judgments, truthfulness or holiness—and points to what is “right” or “just” in accordance to God’s purposes. Thus, “righteousness” is whatever has been appointed by God to be acknowledged and obeyed by man (see Matt. 5:6, 20). In His response to John, Jesus was indicating that this was just what God wanted them to do.

This event confirmed John’s prophetic ministry and his role as the forerunner of the Messiah. Jesus understood that John fulfilled the anticipated arrival of the last great prophet preceding the coming of the Lord (Mal. 4:5-6; Matt. 11:1-15). Thus, Jesus and John are linked together, an important message to the Jewish audience.

Jesus’ baptism is the inaugural act of His public ministry. God clearly declared His pleasure with Jesus who openly demonstrated commitment to the mission before Him (Matt. 3:16-17). This trinitarian picture of God’s speaking to the world of His Son, as the Spirit descended, set the stage for all that was to come.

Finally, Jesus identified Himself with those people who responded to John’s call. Jesus was not baptized because He needed to repent or to be saved—He was fully without sin. However, Jesus by His submission to this symbolic portrayal of cleansing and repentance took His place alongside sinners whom He had come to save (Heb. 4:15; 7:26; I Pet. 2:21-22; I Jn. 3:5; see Isa. 53; Lk. 19:10).

Who is going to hell?

“In my Bible it says that people who believe in Buddha (or other religions) are not going to hell, but only people who are lost and have screwed up their lives . . . . Aren’t only believers in Christ going to heaven and no one else?”—Rachel

First, I’m not sure what “Bible” you are reading! Comments about Buddha aren’t found in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.

Be that as it may, Christianity is often criticized for being exclusive, of being dismissive of other religions that profess to be paths to God. The fact is Christianity by definition does hold that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to God.

Here is a sampling of what the Bible says. In the Hebrew text, which Christians accept as authoritative and inspired, Israel is adjured to choose God and His way (e.g., Deut. 30; passim). In the New Testament, Jesus said, “I am the Way . . . no one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn. 14:6). Those who believe in Jesus receive everlasting life; they become the children of God (Jn. 1:12; 3:16).

In one of his early sermons, Jesus’ disciple Peter declared, “Salvation is found in no one else . . . there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The Apostle Paul said, “In Christ there is no condemnation . . . if Christ is in you, your spirit is alive . . .” (Rom. 8:1ff).

An honest examination of Christianity reveals that this faith makes a simple yet profound claim that Christ is the only way to God and eternal life. By nature neither harsh nor condemning, Christianity extends to every person an invitation to peruse this claim carefully and see whether or not it is true.