“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 28:19-20 ESV). There are several commands
given here, but the one we will focus on is about baptism. Water baptism is a
public statement that you are a believer in Jesus Christ and symbolizes three
things: you have died with Jesus Christ to your old self, you have risen with Jesus
Christ to become a new creature in Christ, and you are incorporating your life into
a body of believers to serve God as he leads you.
Why are we to baptize in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit? All three were involved at the baptism of Jesus. The
Holy Spirit came as a dove, the Father spoke from heaven, and Jesus was
baptized. We are to identify with each person in faith, service, worship, and
obedience. In using all three names, we confirm the trinity and our
relationship to each person of the trinity.
Prayer
Father, it is clear from Acts that each believer is to be
baptized and by command of Jesus, we are to be a witness. Baptism is to be a
public witness of our identity with Jesus Christ. This conformation can in some
areas of persecution result in death. Father, I find that many who resist baptism
also resist being a witness of their faith in Jesus. It appears to me that in
refusing baptism one is confirming that convenience and apparent embarrassment have
greater influence that obedience to God. Father, show mercy to those who resist
and encourage them to obedience.
See "The Commands of
Jesus" Index to view other commands.