No, 'forensic' comes from 'forum' and so though closely related to imputation, is not that.
But inherent and intrinsic are much the same
As for Jesus and John the baptist, if it is a task that they must do, how can it be God's righteousness they fulfill?
In this case, Righteousness is accomplished by doing God's will. May I suggest that for John, his job description was to reveal Jesus....launch His ministry, perhaps? John 1:31. John tells us that he came baptizing with water so that Jesus could be revealed to Israel, and what happened immediately Jesus was baptized? Matt 3:16,17. He was revealed as the Son of God, and began His ministry.
Next, we have Jesus also needing to fulfill all righteousness.
I would like to suggest that His job description was to obey the Father. But why Baptism? John's baptism was a baptism of repentance Matt 3:11. What did Jesus have to repent of?
Nothing. However, He identified with sinful mankind, and because of that act of baptism, He was able to carry that affinity to sinful man to the cross. Had He not laid aside His divine glory and intrinsic righteousness, He could not have represented us as He did represent us. Had He stood afar off and said "I have no need of this baptism of repentance because I am not 'one of them'" Then He would have not been able to stand in our place.
Some would argue that Jesus was incapable of sin, but that does not square up with his temptation by Satan, who knew that the divine nature is not capable of sin. And since the demons knew who Jesus was it is idle to argue that Satan didn't.
Good thoughts Calvin!
It seems to me that the question is....."Why was Jesus baptized?
1). Jesus identified Himself "completely" with sinful humanity.
Isaiah 53:12...
"Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath
poured out his soul unto death:
and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors."
Christ was holy and had no need to repent-----it is US who need to repent and confess.
2). Water baptism is symbolic of Death.
Matthew 20:22....
"But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to
be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Christ's death was a baptism and He entered into death for you and me.
3). At this time He was set aside for His office of a "priest".
2 Corth. 5:21
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in
him."
There was SIN ON Him, but there was NO sin IN Him!!! Our sin was PU ON Him, not in Him. Therefore we are saved by being IDENTIFIED with Him. He identified Himself with us in baptism.
2 Peter 3:21
" The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but
the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ".
To be saved then means TO BE IN CHRIST! HOW DO WE DO THAT????
By the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
WATER baptism is a testimony to this.
4). Matthew 3:16-17 thens tells us..........
"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."
This then confirms it all by a manifestation of the Trinity.
JESUS comes out of the water, THE SPIRIT OF GOD desends upon Him from heaven, and the Father speaks!!!!
Jesus is identified with His people so that we can be identified with the Savior!
WHAT A KING HE IS !!!!