Jump Start # 626

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

It is amazing to look at each expression in this powerful sentence of our Lord. We often call this passage the great commission. It was charged to the apostles and fulfilled throughout their lives. We understand that the going, the making, the baptizing and the teaching are all essential today. We cannot give up on this. Churches cannot be satisfied with what they have nor where they are. We have settled into simply going to worship services as all that God requires of us. Not so. “Go tell it on the mountain” is the plea of every generation. This is not the sole work of preachers. The more a church is engaged in telling the story, inviting friends, passing out cd’s, articles and material, the more the word of God gets into the hearts of the world. You have contact with someone that most likely no other Christian does. You are their bridge to Christ.

The next expression in this sentence that we are looking at is, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”  Baptism. It’s important. It’s essential. It’s necessary. Jesus wants every person baptized. He wants all nations baptized. Most of our readers in this fellowship understand this. Most outside of this fellowship do not. The religious community has shelved baptism as not being that important. We’ve been told that merely accepting Jesus is all that you need. We’ve been told that baptism does not save. We’ve been told that baptism is merely an outward sign of an inward experience. Somehow those thoughts were not held by Christ nor the apostles. The defining act of commitment to Christ is baptism.

• Acts 2:38 Peter told the audience to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins
• Acts 22:16 Saul of Tarsus was told to arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling upon the name of the Lord
• 1 Cor 6:11 the Corinthians were “washed”, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus
• 1 Peter 3:21 Peter said that baptism saves

Then there are all those specific examples of baptism in the book of Acts: those gathered at Pentecost (Acts 2), Samaritans (Acts 8), the eunuch (Acts 8), Saul (Acts 9), Cornelius (Acts 10), Lydia (Acts 16), the jailer (Acts 16). There is no example AFTER the resurrection of Jesus of anyone being saved without water baptism. There is no Biblical exception to this. I must be baptized if I want Christ. I must be baptized if I want to go to Heaven. That’s the conclusion.

The conclusion is overwhelming. If I want to be saved, I need to believe the gospel message, repent of my sins and be immersed (baptized) and then follow Christ. That’s where the Scriptures take you. This is not hard to see. Denying baptism is as catastrophic as denying repentance or even faith. Does water save us? It’s Jesus that saves. He says, we do. He sets the conditions, we follow. Why do we repent? Because Jesus said so. It’s hard to follow Christ on the inside while we are chasing sin on the outside. Doesn’t work. Why do we have to be baptized? Jesus said so. It’s humbling. It is an act of obedience. It ends the old life. Down in the water is like down in the grave. Up out of the water is like up out of the grave. It’s a new life the Romans were told. It is a resurrection to a new way. It’s not simply a second chance to do what we did before. That didn’t work. That got us into trouble with God. It’s a second chance to do things right. God’s way.

What if I don’t want to be baptized? What if I decide to just love the Lord, believe in Him but leave the baptism part off? Why if I died before I was able to be baptized? Why do we fight the Lord with these questions? Why are we being selfish and not obedient? Why do we want to do what we want to do? Jesus said be baptized, here in this passage and also in Mark 16:16. Becoming a disciple begins with “denying self.” It’s not my way, but His way. Why fight Jesus? Why argue with Jesus? He doesn’t have to save you. This is a gift and I’m fussing about it? Come on! What are we thinking? Had Jesus said, “learn a foreign language,” we’d get the books, start practicing and learn the language. Why? Because if that’s what Jesus wants, we will do it. If Jesus said be baptized, why fight this. Do you know who fights this the most? Preachers do. Amazing. Read the Gospels. Read Acts. You cannot walk away from those books thinking that a person is ok by just accepting Jesus. No way. Maybe it’s the only way to get a crowd? Maybe it’s just the way they were taught in school? Maybe they just don’t want to see it.

Is baptism the only thing I have to do to go to Heaven? No. Why else do we have the rest of the N.T.? It shows us our responsibilities and conduct as Christians. We must walk with the Lord. We must do what He wants.

Now we come to the key point of all of this. Have you been baptized into Christ after being taught the gospel of Jesus? This is not being baptized by a baby. No. This is hearing the gospel taught and then choosing to be baptized. Babies don’t make that choice, their parents do. Babies do not understand the gospel. Have you been baptized after being taught the gospel? Why not? Don’t you want to obey Jesus? Don’t you want what He offers?

If you would like free CD’s or articles explaining further what the Bible teaches about baptism email me (Rogshouse@aol.com) and I will send them to you. This is important. This is what the Lord wanted His apostles to go and tell the world. This is what we must tell the world. Jesus saves. Jesus is to be believed. Jesus wants you to be baptized. Jesus wants YOU to be baptized.

Roger