>>> Ah, maybe not. How about the practice of ritual cleansing preparatory to entering into one’s ministry to satisfy the requirement of The Law?
A valid point... AND the reason Jesus gave himself. Put simply, Jesus was baptized out of obedience.
However, this point does not exclude mine... rather, it completes it.
Baptism itself IS representative of death and resurrection.
With respect, I don't think so. You are talking about the Baptism unto Discipleship, which this baptism is not.
Baptism itself IS representative of death and resurrection.
Not necessarily. Jesus' second baptism is the Baptism into Viiolent Death, which unbelievers will experience in the Lake of Fire for Eternity. (Mt. 20:22+)(And from which Jesus has delivered me by bearing my sins in His Body on the tree, experiencing the fiery wrath of The God in my place.)
IMHO
You might want to check this summary of the baptisms: