Discipleship and Baptism

Discipleship and Baptism

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19 ESV).

The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) was Jesus’ charge to the disciples to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Jesus wanted them to take the gospel to all corners of the earth.  His reasoning was simple, for everyone in the world to be saved, everyone needed to hear the gospel no matter where you live, no matter who you are, Jesus wanted you to hear the Gospel of Salvation.

A part of His commission was the command for the apostles to “baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Jesus knew the call to baptism did not mean “salvation”. Baptism is an outward sign of obedience to God’s word, not a condition for salvation. It is a sign of obedience for Christians to be baptized, and a sign of obedience for disciples to baptize.

The apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. We, as believers, are baptized by immersion into water.  This public act testifies that the believer has placed his faith in the life, death,

burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as his savior. Baptism constitutes a rebirth into the life and message of Christ.  Baptism is important as a sign of obedience, but it is discipleship that constitutes following Jesus.  It is discipleship that commits us to the Lord twenty-four hours a day.

Being immersed in water takes only a few seconds, but being a disciple of Christ is a lifetime commitment. When you are immersed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, your life changes to a life of obedience, “Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20 ESV).

This call to discipleship and obedience is a call to subjugate your life to the teachings of Christ and the Word of God. Being baptized, being immersed in water, speaks to your desire to be immersed in the Word and will of God.  Seeking God’s will for you is a natural by -product of baptism, and accepting Christ as your savior. When you turn your life over to Him, you enter into a life of service to God and to others (discipleship).

Unless you are truly committed to following and obeying Christ in every area of your life (Discipleship), baptism is just getting dunked in the water and coming up wet.  The power of baptism rests exclusively in your faith in Jesus Christ as your savior.  If you have not crossed the bridge of discipleship, then baptism is just swimming. Baptism calls for you to be immersed in the principles of Christ.  “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:20 ESV). We should note that in Jesus’ command he did not say, “Some things”, or “whatever you feel like,” he said “all things.”  That means we obey all of God’s word, not just the parts we like.  Being baptized means you will now take up the charge given by Christ to make disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19 ESV). Baptism also means that you are accepting the presence of Christ in

all you do, every part of your life.  His abiding presence will govern you, motivate you, and focus you on doing His will.  Your life will no longer be that of a lost sinner, it will become that of a child

of God, a disciple of Christ, and someone who carries the Gospel of Jesus Christ to “all nations.”