By Andrew Williams – September 17, 2021
Good morning fellow disciples.
This week we will be looking at the theme, God’s Purpose for My Life. We see that one of the purposes that God has for us as the Lord Jesus Christ’s disciples is to baptize persons. I know in our culture that we only sometimes see our pastors, deacons, or evangelists doing the baptism, but scripture says otherwise. You will notice that each day I greet you as follows, ‘good morning fellow disciples’. This is because we are all Jesus’ disciples and we are learning how to be like Him and how to live according to His commands and His lifestyle.
Purpose is defined as “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” As we read the following scriptures you will see that it was the disciples who baptized the new disciples.
When Jesus knew that the Pharisees heard He was making and baptizing more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were),
John 4:1-2 HCSB
So Ananias left and entered the house. Then he placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.
Acts 9:17-18 HCSB
“Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.
Acts 2:38, 41 HCSB
‘Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 HCSB
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus clearly told His disciples to baptize new disciples and He told them to teach them to observe everything that He commanded them. This means that each new disciple should live by this command to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to make and baptize other persons also.
So it’s clear that a part of God’s purpose for you as a disciple of Jesus Christ is to baptize persons who believe in Jesus.
Prayer: Father God help me to make disciples and to baptize them. I recognize that this is a part of my purpose as Your child, so help me now Father God to do as the Lord Jesus Christ commanded. Amen.