“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.”
--Matthew 28:19
Baptism should be important to followers of the Lord Jesus Christ because it was important to Him, plain and simple!
Not only was Jesus baptized at the outset of His ministry, He concluded His ministry with baptism. So don’t you think we should make it a priority too? I think so!
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, and you have never been baptized, then I want to challenge you today to do so. Let me share with you why…
First, baptism is a sign of your commitment to Jesus Christ. If you are truly committed to Jesus, then you need to make a public statement of that commitment, much like a wedding ring is a public expression of a commitment of a husband or wife.
Second, baptism is a symbol of your salvation. You need to publicly symbolize the sacrifice of Christ on your behalf and your submission to Him in your life.
Third, baptism is a sign of obedience. While there are many things you and I cannot do like Jesus Christ did, baptism is one thing that we can do exactly like He did! And when you are baptized, you are publicly declaring your obedience to Him.
Finally, baptism is a statement of your faith. When you’re baptized, you’re declaring to the world that you believe and belong to Jesus Christ. You are saying to everyone that you love Christ and want to follow Him with your whole heart.
Now, understand that being baptized doesn’t save you. But I would encourage you today… if you’re a believer and you’ve never been baptized… to prayerfully consider following Christ in this step of obedience. Through it, you will give a beautiful testimony of your faith in Him.
JESUS MADE BAPTISM A PRIORITY, AND SO SHOULD WE.
The Way to Change the World
Wednesday, September 04, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;”
Titus 1:1–3
In the late 1700s in an effort to relieve prison overcrowding, the British government began sending shiploads of criminals to Australia. Crimes that were eligible for “transportation,” as it was known, were generally lesser offenses like theft, although it was sometimes used to deport people who were deemed undesirable to remain in England. Along with the first ships of prisoners, at the insistence of John Newton among others, was a chaplain, Richard Johnson.
In addition to building the first church in Australia with his own money, Johnson established a system of schools focused not just on academic subjects, but on moral instruction. He said, “It is my long and ardent wish that the minds of the rising generation of this Colony may be duly impressed with moral and religious sentiment.” When I preached at a church in Sydney, Australia, I was able to see the Bible sent from England and used in that church still on display. Johnson is still remembered more than two hundred years later for the powerful impact he had on the entire nation.
If we want to change our society, and it certainly needs help, the most important thing is not to elect new politicians or get new laws passed. The most important thing is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those around us. There is nothing else with the power to transform the sinful hearts of people. No program or effort or campaign can change the world the way that winning people to Christ does. God has given us the good news to share.
Today's Growth Principle:
We have the cure for the world’s problems in the gospel, and we must share it with them.
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