Epiphany (Timket)

Dn. Ephrem Wubet

“ Then comes Jesus from Galilee To Jordan unto John to be baptized,” Mt. 3: 13.

Baptism is one of the major festivals annually held by the Ethiopian Orthidox Tewahedo Church in memory of the baptism of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

What is Baptism?

Baptism is a regeneration through which a person is born again and is accepted into the membership of the church after being baptized by the powering on or immersion in water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

It is one of the church sacraments. It is the first of all, and is considered as the door through which the believer enters the church and the kingdom of God according to what was said by our Lord “ Except a man be born of water and the Holy Spirit, he/she/ cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (Jn.3: 5)

When and why was our Lord baptised?

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was baptised at the age  of thirty to be archetype for all humans, and all humans are to be baptized.Col.2:14;1pet.3:20.

Where was He baptized?

He was baptized in the river Jordan, at the hand of John. He did it for several reasons. To fulfill the prophecy and archetype. “the sea saw and fled, then the River Jordan retreated, O, sea, what ailed you that you retreated”? (Ps.76/77/16,  113/114/5)

- The Children of Israel crossed the Jordan River before they could go over into the promised Land.

God brought Israel out of Egypt, this was the beginning of mercy and liberation to them. Though they were delivered by power, yet they are said to be redeemed as if it has been done by price, because it was typical of the great redemption, which was to be wrought out, in the fullness of time, both by price (the precious blood of Christ), and power (the crucifixion)

- Elisha too, crossed the same river before entering the promised land. (2kg. 2: 13-14)

Here jordan becomes symbol of baptism whereas the promised land is a symbol of paradise (the heavenly kingdom).

Why He did not administer His baptism in something else other than water?

Because baptism is for all, water flows from end to end of the world and baptism is done through out the world.

Furthermore, water cleanses the dirt of the body and clothes, when clothes are washed with water, they become clean, strong and firm. Similarly, when one is baptised with water and spirit, one becomes clean, strong and powerful.

Why did our Lord Jesus Christ go to John to be baptised by John? Since John is a creature and Jesus Christ the creater, was it not more fitting for John to come to his Lord?

Our Lord Jesus Christ did this to set an example for others to follow. If Jesus Christ had ordered John to come to baptise him, those in authority would give orders for the priests to come to their homes to baptise them. These are some of the reasons why Jesus Christ went to John in meekness, that everyone in authority, should go to the priests for any sacramental administration.

The blessing and sprinkling of water at the baptismal pools over the faithful, is to get the spiritual blessing from the baptism of the Lord.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church declared that there is only one baptism and it is performed only once. Baptism is rebirth, as man is born bodily only once so he cannot be spiritually born more than once, baptism must not be repeated.

During the baptism of our Lord at the river Jordan the doctrine of the Trinity was clearly proved as the three distinct persons of the Holy Trinity are manifested i.e.
God the Father - a voice came out of heavens saying, “this is my beloved son” God the son- Jesus Christ baptizing by John

God the Holy Spirit – descended in bodily shape like a dove (Luk. 3: 22)

May God bless us all.