Luke 3-5 - "

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As we learned in our last bible study, Luke is a medical doctor - a man of science. And, as a scientist, Luke puts a lot of emphasis on the need for facts. So, in order to make sure his reader understands the timing of the events of Jesus' coming, Luke takes several steps in detailing the time. 

First, he mentions that Tiberias, the emperor of Rome, was in his 15th year of reign when Jesus' ministry began. Since Tiberias ruled from 14 A.D to 37 A.D., this would put the date around 29 A.D.  

To add certainty to the date, Luke also mentions other leaders who were in place at the same time - in case anyone is in doubt.  For example, Herod Antipas was the ruler of Galilee at the time and Herod's brother Philip was reigning over the territory of Iturea and Traconitis - which is located in modern day Lebanon and southern Syria. He also mentions that Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests in Jerusalem at the time as well. So...Luke narrows down the exact time that Jesus bursts onto the scene to be baptized by John and begin His earthly ministry. To Luke, the facts matter.

Baptism By John The Baptist

Baptism basically began in the Old Testament, but wasn't necessarily called baptism. Under the law of Moses, God demanded that lepers and those who were ceremonially unclean to go and bath entirely (and even shave their skin) to symbolize their cleansing. Since John the Baptist's father was a priest, John would have been familiar with these purification rituals that symbolized cleansing. In fact, John was so sick of the wickedness and spiritual uncleanliness of the people that he demanded that those who truly wanted to be "clean" in God's eyes not only needed to "repent" of their sins and turn to God, but to prove that they meant it with all their hearts by being baptized by total immersion in water as he said in 3:3 - "Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show they they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven"

Jesus Time Had Come!

It's interesting to note that Luke says that "Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon and they were eager to know if John might be the Messiah."

Based on Old Testament scriptures, the Jews had mathematically calculated that their Messiah was soon to come...just as many Christians today believe that Jesus could come soon for His 2nd Coming!  Then, they could calculate His coming based on Jeremiah's prophecy.  Today, we see the signs of Jesus' 2nd coming through His own prophecies and those of many others!

To show the importance of baptism as a symbol of repentance of sin and a turning to God, Jesus sought to be baptized by John.  Although John was confused by it (as seen in the other Gospels), Jesus assured John that it had to be done. This is why I always teach that the first act of obedience that a new believer should want to exercise is that of baptism. If you haven't been baptized, get it done!  It doesn't save you, but it is an act of obedience to the Lord and a testimony to everyone that you've repented of your sins and turn to God.

What about infant baptism?

Infant baptism is essentially an empty gesture and has absolutely NO biblical call for it.  While perhaps many parents see it