From watching the universalist theology TV show Lost, you would think so. You would also think so if you make the worst mistake of getting your theology from an atheist.
Brother Marcus has been considering, dissenting and discrediting vast amount of information promulgated by John Loftus and guest writers on his blog. One recent debunking came in the form of the article FacePalm of the Day #86 - Debunking Christianity: Jesus Was Baptized for His Sins
His post is very informative in various ways. The two cents of this author follow.
But first,
If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone, somewhere is making a penny
—Steven Wright
Now, the problem (or, one of the problems) seems to be that people assume that baptism is only one thing: getting wet and doing so for salvation or, forgiveness, etc.
Even if we completely isolate Mark, and even completely isolate Mark chap. 1, we would, should, note that v. 4 states that “John came baptizing in the wilderness.”
Not only that but “John came baptizing in the wilderness and” also “preaching a baptism of...” of what? What was this baptism? It was a “baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
This is taken to mean that those getting wet were doing so in order to acquire remission of sins.
However, it seems that it was due to the “baptism” of repentance for the remission of sins that “Then” afterwards, says v. 5, “all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.”
The initial baptism was not getting wet for the remission of sins. Rather, the symbolic baptism was that they repented, this caused a remission of sins and only then did they get wet as an outward sign.
Jesus neither repented nor confessed any sins.
Jesus appears to have accepted a baptism of getting wet as a sign of His devotion to God and God responds in the affirmative, to say the least, v. 11 “Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Now, branching out to Luke 3:7-8 we note that John says something very telling when “the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him” he says, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance…” Looks like he is telling them to repent first and the get wet.
Thus, back to the point about who people assume that baptism is only one thing. Here are some examples:
Matthew 20:21-23
And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom."
But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able."
So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but [it is for those] for whom it is prepared by My Father."
Romans 6:4
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:12
…buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with [Him] through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
1st 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 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
Matthew 3:11
As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Lastly, Peter says, “baptism now saves you” but what is this baptism?
not the removal of dirt from the flesh" so, not just getting wet "but an appeal to God for a good conscience-- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21).
Thus, baptism means a lot more than getting wet and Jesus was never baptized in the sense of repentance or confession of sins.
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