The First Step
Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19
Baptism is the outward sign of one’s inward faith in Christ. It’s an act of obedience by which a person demonstrates the reality of his salvation. Salvation is not visibly seen but is a supernatural, spiritual transaction. The fruit or result of salvation, however, should be evident.
In the early church, the initial fruit of obedience was baptism, and this same fruit can be expected today. It’s the means by which an individual testifies to his or her union in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Rom 6:3-4). Galatians 3:27 says, “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
The Great Commission in Matthew 28 commands us to preach the gospel and baptize others. That means we’re to tell people that salvation is something they should not only believe, but also publicly confess, with baptism as the first step. When someone is reluctant to publicly confess Christ in that way, we have reason to question the genuineness of his faith. Jesus said, “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven” (Mat 10:32). That is the public confession we all should make.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 90). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Matthew 28:19
Baptism is the outward sign of one’s inward faith in Christ. It’s an act of obedience by which a person demonstrates the reality of his salvation. Salvation is not visibly seen but is a supernatural, spiritual transaction. The fruit or result of salvation, however, should be evident.
In the early church, the initial fruit of obedience was baptism, and this same fruit can be expected today. It’s the means by which an individual testifies to his or her union in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Rom 6:3-4). Galatians 3:27 says, “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
The Great Commission in Matthew 28 commands us to preach the gospel and baptize others. That means we’re to tell people that salvation is something they should not only believe, but also publicly confess, with baptism as the first step. When someone is reluctant to publicly confess Christ in that way, we have reason to question the genuineness of his faith. Jesus said, “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven” (Mat 10:32). That is the public confession we all should make.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 90). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Listen to this entry
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