For us, this question is easily answered. We follow Jesus.
We follow His example and His teachings.
How did Jesus fulfill all righteousness?
Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Do we think we are more righteous than Jesus? That we do not need to humbly submit and obey the Lord?
Notice John tried to stop Jesus. John believes he is unworthy to baptize Jesus.
But Jesus tells John this is very important. He must "fulfill all righteousness".
So, what does that mean? To fulfill all righteousness?
Fulfill means to complete, to totally finish or meet the requirements.
To bring something wholly to realization.
Simply put, to satisfy or achieve something.
In this case Jesus is achieving His complete righteousness.
Not to say He had any sin, but this is a step in God's plan He must take.
Jesus must do everything in God's plan.
Then what is this righteousness He is achieving?
It is the state of being right and just with God the Father.
Having God's morals and integrity.
Following God's justice and word and laws.
Jesus is morally and ethically in correct standing with God.
Jesus has no sin, not even a sin of omission.
His integrity, His obedience to God is without flaw.
He is thoroughly and completely aligned with God.
Notice that God the Father speaks, and the Holy Spirit comes down.
God, in all His completeness, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are testifying to us how great and wonderful this event is.
With this act of baptism, Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God.
Ready to face temptation, to teach, to heal, and to be persecuted and sacrificed.
Showing us the heart of God in every step.
Jesus set this example for us, and God witnessed to us that this is how to please Him.
Do we dare believe that we, as followers of the perfect Son of God, do not need to be baptized?
See what Jesus says.
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
We cannot get to Heaven without baptism.
To back that up, He says again.
Mark 16:16
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
And recognize what baptism does for us.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In baptism is the forgiveness of sins.
Here we get a complete pardon for our sins against God.
He totally releases us from that sentence of death that we deserve.
Then Jesus gives us His righteousness, His perfect standing with God, so that God sees us as perfect as Jesus.
And like in Jesus' example, we receive the Holy Spirit.
The Comforter, the Guide, that will lead us through God's word into a great life following Jesus, our Savior.
Baptism is what saves us. We receive forgiveness and salvation through baptism.
Peter plainly states this.
1 Peter 3:21
There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
If you have not been baptized as a repentant believer, accepting Jesus as your Savior and King, confessing Him as the Son of God Who was raised from the dead, then you are not saved.
You have been deceived.
A prayer alone will not save you.
Fulfill all righteousness in the way Jesus showed and commanded us.
Please repent, confess the Lord, and be baptized for salvation.
Punch that ticket to go to Heaven.
Then live a faithful life, following Jesus and the Bible.
It won't be perfect because we're not perfect.
It won't always be easy, but it will be a better life with a better reward.
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