In this passage, Christ receives John’s baptism to show the world He is the one that John prophesied about. And His public ministry starts with the baptism. The verse I’d like to focus on is v15.

But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. (v. 15)

Those who follows the Covenant Theology (CT) and the active obedience of Christ (AOC) interpret this as Christ’s obedience to the Law. A bad theory has many faces. Among those theologians who consider the CT and the AOC orthodox, their interpretations of the Law differ. Therefore, it is difficult to pinpoint where they are wrong. Instead of criticizing individual ideas of different theologians, I will explain what is right. There is a difference between fulfill and keep. I will try to explain this righteousness without making it complicated.

There are many interpretations of the Law. But it is simply God’s will. However, not all the Mosaic Laws are intended for keeping forever, but it is important to know what the Laws were pointing at. All the Laws of God in the OT are pointing at Christ. They have been fulfilled or are being fulfilled by God. The Son was given the power of fulfilling them by the Father. And it is important to understand the Son and His works on the earth. In verse 15, righteousness can be interpreted as God’s prophecies, laws, and will. All these three words can be used interchangeably.

Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all the things that are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:44)

The important word is “fulfill”. There is no man on the earth, including Adam and Eve, who can fulfill God’s will except the Son of Man, Christ. The word “fulfill” is different from “keep”. One may externally keep God’s command(s). But fulfillment of God’s prophecies, Law and all other commands are done by God alone.

The biggest problem with the AOC is that it sees keeping the Law as the source of righteousness. Some say the Law is the Mosaic Law and others say it is all God’s commandments. At the time the AOC became a doctrine of the Protestant, the Protestant churches of England faced two issues, which are antinomianism and legalism. They saw that the antinomians were more dangerous to the society than the legalists. Even now, those who holds the AOC doctrine accuse those who do not as antinomians because the AOC was made to reject antinomianism. Some Reformed ministers think people in churches will become antinomians without this doctrine. This is a serious misunderstanding of the work of the Holy Spirit within saints. The doctrine emphasizes on obedience to church authorities and on a moral life. I do not consider that a mere externally pious life indicates a holy life as many Christians think. But that was the aim of the Reformers in the 17^th century England. Since then, Christians focus on doing good deeds externally to show others they are righteous and the elect people. How are churches different from the Pharisees in the NT? Historically, King JamesⅠ did not allow the Westminster divines to include the doctrine because it was a new matter. The divines did not include it in the Westminster Confession of Faith. But the Congregationalists like John Owen included it in their Savoy Declaration later.

Those who holds the doctrine say it is from Calvin. It was considered a new idea in the 17th century because it had a face-off from Anselm’s original idea. The origin of the doctrine is focused on keeping of the Law externally. The AOC is wrong because it takes us back to work-based salvation. All Protestant churches who take this doctrine sooner or later promote work-based salvation.

The right understanding of this righteousness is that only God is righteous. Adam was incomplete. He was made to be clothed with righteousness later. Therefore, he was naked. God wants us to admit that we cannot be righteous until we become one with God by being one with the Son. People who lived in the OT era are saved because they believed in the promise of the Savior. Adam and Job before suffering were only upright (Yashar, Strong 3477). Those who are united with God are clothed with God’s righteousness and consequently, does righteous deeds. The Son who are one with the Father and knows the Father’s will fully, fulfills all Laws, prophecies, righteousness. Therefore, the Lord is our righteousness.

In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will live securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The LORD Our Righteousness.’ (Jeremiah 23:6)

Christ did not need to earn righteousness by keeping the Law to impute it onto saints. Righteousness does not come from keeping of the Law from the beginning. Adam’s righteousness (rather uprightness) was removable. His righteousness was that of a slave. God’s righteousness does not come from works. The Son does not have such righteousness that can be removed. And the Son does not give such righteousness to His people. If our righteousness is from the Law, then one rebellious action should remove us from salvation. Logically speaking, if God wants us to keep everything He says and that is His ultimate aim of creation, our righteousness depends on keeping of His commandments. Then we can fall again. Then we will live in terror for eternity. But that was not God’s aim of creation.

On that day you will ask in My name, and I am not saying to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. (John 16:26)

He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to Me; when he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and with strokes of sons of mankind, but My favor shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from you. Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever. (2 Samuel 7:13-16)

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Hebrews 12:5-6)

By being one with the Son, saints become children of God, a holy City of God, the bride of Christ. God’s love will never depart from the Son nor from His people. Obedience comes as the result of being one with God. What Christ did for us on the earth changed the status of His people. And all the Apostles say that the work of Christ was on the Cross. Christ’s all other works were leading to this final act of righteousness. Christ became a man to fulfill God’s will by the power of God to redeem His people. Indeed, the fulfillment of the Law is love (agape). Only God loves. Only God fulfills.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. (Romans 5:18)