No — Jesus' baptism was not for personal sin or repentance; it was the symbolic priestly washing that pictured cleansing.
Les points back to the Old Testament, where priests were repeatedly washed before service and every washing pictured the filth of sin. The Greek word translated 'washings' in Hebrews 9:10 is baptisma, so these baptisms were part of Israel's symbolic system. John's baptism was the same kind of gesture; water itself could not cleanse. Jesus, who had no sin, submitted to the washing that the priestly nation needed in picture.
Matthew 3:13-17 — Records the event of Jesus' baptism and His own words about fulfilling all righteousness.
Hebrews 9:10 — Describes the Old Testament washings that Les identifies with baptism.
1 Corinthians 10:2 — Shows a non-water use of 'baptism' for Israel's identification with Moses.
Scripture does not say that Jesus was baptized because He had sinned. In Matthew 3, John the Baptist declares, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance," and then Jesus comes to John to be baptized. When John objects, Jesus answers, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Hebrews 9:10 speaks of the old covenant as having "divers washings, and carnal ordinances" imposed until the time of reformation. Paul also says that Israel was "baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea" (1 Corinthians 10:2), despite crossing on dry land. Peter likewise tells Israel to "Repent, and be baptized every one of you" in Acts 2:38.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus' baptism cannot be explained by repentance from sin. Instead, it belongs to the Old Testament priestly washings. He points out that priests were prepared for service at age thirty by repeated washings, and all those washings pictured the filth of sin. The Greek word behind 'washings' in Hebrews 9:10 is baptisma, so those washings were baptisms. John's baptism was the same kind of symbolic gesture: the water did not take away sin, but it expressed a need for spiritual cleansing. For Israel, John's baptism was a preparation for the King and the Kingdom; as a nation of priests, they were to be washed symbolically before that service. Since Jesus had no sin to wash away, His submission to baptism fulfilled the priestly washing in picture. Baptism was not about water itself — it could mean being engulfed, as when Israel was baptized unto Moses or Jesus was baptized in His suffering and death.
Les points back to the Old Testament economy, where a priest being made ready for priesthood at age 30 had to wash repeatedly. Throughout the Law of Moses there was constant washing to show Israel that sin is filthy. In Hebrews 9:10 these things are called 'divers washings' and 'carnal ordinances.' Les says the Greek word translated 'washings' is the same word translated 'baptism' elsewhere — so the verse could read 'baptisms.' Those washings were pictures; they did not actually cleanse sin but pointed to the need for spiritual cleansing.
No. Les is emphatic that the water could not take away sin. John's baptism was a symbolic gesture indicating a need for spiritual cleansing. Today, likewise, baptism has no cleansing effect; it is the Word that cleanses us (Ephesians 5:26). The picture had value, but the water did not.
Les explains that John's baptism was natural to the Jew because the whole idea of baptism was already back in the Old Testament. John had a ministry only to the covenant people of Israel. They were to repent and be baptized to be in preparation for the coming of their King, so that they in turn could be a nation of priests to carry the knowledge of God to the Gentiles.
Paul says Israel coming through the Red Sea was 'baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea' even though they crossed on dry land. Les says the word baptism in Greek means to be engulfed or identified. In the same way, Jesus called His coming suffering and death a baptism — He would be placed under all of the ramifications of crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. These examples show baptism does not always mean water.
Old Testament priestly washings
Les shows that the repeated washings required of priests pictured that sin is filthy; Jesus' baptism fits this symbolic priestly washing rather than a confession of His own sin.
Baptism as suffering and identification
Jesus called His crucifixion and resurrection a baptism, showing that baptism can mean being placed under something rather than water baptism.
John's baptism — symbolic cleansing
The water could not take away sin; John's baptism was a symbolic gesture showing the need for spiritual cleansing.
Baptism and the Word's cleansing
No baptism has a cleansing effect today; it is the Word that cleanses, and John's baptism pointed to the King and Kingdom.
Baptism rooted in Old Testament washings
Les tells how all baptism is rooted in the Old Testament; the whole idea of washing amounts to baptism, so John's baptism was natural to Jews.
John's ministry to Israel and priesthood
John preached only to Israel, calling them to repent and be baptized in preparation for their King and to become a nation of priests.
Hebrews 9:10 'washings' = baptisms
The Greek word translated 'washings' in Hebrews is baptism; the old covenant ordinances were baptisms, clarifying that Jesus' baptism belonged to that symbolic system.
Baptism as engulfed; Israel at Red Sea
Greek baptism means being engulfed; Israel was baptized unto Moses in the cloud and sea without water, showing baptism is identification.
Matthew 3:11: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Les quotes this to show John's baptism was unto repentance and pointed to the coming One.
Matthew 3:13-17: 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 Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
The biblical account of Jesus being baptized by John.
Hebrews 9:10: Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Les explains that the Greek word translated 'washings' is baptism, so these Old Testament washings are baptisms.
Ephesians 5:26: That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Les points to this verse to show it is the Word that cleanses, not baptism.
1 Corinthians 10:2: And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
Paul calls Israel's Red Sea crossing a baptism even though they crossed on dry land.
Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Peter's call to Israel to repent and be baptized, reflecting John's preparatory ministry.
Luke 12:50: But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
Jesus calls His upcoming suffering and death a baptism.
No. Les teaches that John's baptism was a symbolic gesture indicating a need for spiritual cleansing, not a washing away of actual sin. Jesus, who was sinless, participated in the symbolic priestly washing rather than confessing personal sin.
No. Les is explicit that the water could not take away sin. It was a symbolic gesture pointing to the need for spiritual cleansing, just as Old Testament washings pictured the filth of sin.
Jesus told His disciples He had a baptism to be accomplished. Les explains that baptism in the Greek means to be engulfed or placed under something; Jesus was placing Himself under the full weight of crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
John's ministry was to the covenant people of Israel. They were to repent and be baptized in preparation for their King and so that Israel could become a nation of priests to take God's knowledge to the Gentiles.
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