God’s Command for Every Believer: We all agree that discipleship and teaching are essential to growing in faith; however, some Christians postpone or ignore the commandment to be baptized. Read: Matthew 28:16-20 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20 ESV) In the passage known as the Great Commission, Jesus mentions discipleship, baptism, and teaching. We all agree that discipleship and teaching are essential to growing in faith; however, some Christians postpone or ignore the commandment to be baptized. The will of God is that every person who receives salvation participate in the biblically mandated practice. Once Jesus delivered this charge to His followers, baptism was no longer optional. Scripture contains several examples of new Christians who submitted in obedience immediately after salvation. Paul and Silas instructed their jailer to receive Christ and be baptized (Acts 16:27-33). Likewise, Philip took the Ethiopian eunuch right into the water after hearing his confession of faith (8:36-38). Too many believers today procrastinate because they do not perceive baptism as a command or recognize delay as rebellion. The ordinance is important because it is a public confession of faith: We claim God as our Father and Jesus Christ as Savior, and we acknowledge that the Holy Spirit lives in us. The willingness to humble ourselves in this way honors God as Lord of our life. Baptism by immersion also symbolizes the transforming power of salvation: We are “buried” to demonstrate we have died to old habits; we are raised to show we now walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). Have you obeyed God’s command to undergo believer’s baptism? If not, talk with your pastor and arrange your public confession of faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 17:53:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015