Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19-20 lays the groundwork for evangelism, follow-up and expectations of new converts. The expectations should also be toward the convert and the evangelist as well. Many people love to go and preach against sin. Some only want to teach the do’s and dont’s on the Lord’s Day and all goes home until the next appointed church service. To introduce the topic of today we must point out the fact our example taught by Christ Himself included more than one focus or one day.

Christians who evangelize should desire to teach all nations. The focus is not singular, however the subject is. The subject is Jesus Christ. We must teach the nations (and neighbors) Christ is the only way to salvation. This is not the parting point. We are called to also baptize converts and teach them to observe all things whatsoever the Lord has commanded.

In today’s study we will focus on the Baptism of the believer. Baptism is not the saving work of Christ. Baptism is a foundational exercise in the life of every confessing believer in Christ as saviour. Baptism is for believers only. We should see why by the end of this study.

  1. Baptism is a Testimony of Faith
    • We testify to our understanding of our own sinfulness/ An old person who must die(by one man’s sin death passed upon all men (Romans 5:12) The need to be buried
    • We testify to our faith in the “fact” Christ died for us, and He was buried for us
    • We testify to our faith in Christ as risen Lord/ We are buried (immersed in water) and raised out of the water (grave)
    • We testify to our faith in the promise of a ressurection of the saints when Christ returns
    • We testify to our faith in Christ as giving us newness of life. (born again). The old person is passed away, dead, buried ressurected as a new creature.
  2. Baptism is a Testimony of our Salvation
    • Baptism is the first thing a new creature does to tell the world He/She is a born again believer in Christ
    • Baptism is the beginning of following the commands of Christ
    • Baptism is a means of joining a local fellowship for the purpose of assembling together in the provoking one another to love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24-25).
    • Baptism is a work for the congregation to witness for the expressed purpose of knowing the believer is part of the covenant community of believers who are commanded to love and care for one-another (see James 5:19, Galatians 6:1, 1John 3:14-16, 1Timothy 5:1)
  3. Baptism is Necessary for Church Membership
    • Without a public profession of faith in Christ the church should not accept a person as a faithful member of the church.

A study of scriptures gives us a clear picture of Baptism being a important part of discipleship in the early church. We must never forget the importance of Baptism in our efforts to evangelize a lost world.