Friends, this post was first published in August of 2020.
Part of disciple-ing others is helping them connect with Christ’s death and resurrection. This is precisely what happened with Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:26-40. As Philip was going, he met a man with questions about the Bible. He responded to those questions with Christ-centered answers, and then lead the man into the waters of baptism forthwith. Philip was “going” and he “discipled” by “baptizing.” He helped the man to comprehend Jesus and then baptized him as the affirming act of his new-found faith.
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Goye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20
The waters of baptism are not magic but they are meaningful. Through baptism, a believer in Christ acknowledges death to their past sins, lifestyle, and motivations. They also acknowledge the newness of life through the resurrection of Christ. It is a testimony that the believer is focused on the glorious Person and all-consuming mission of Jesus Christ.
Here is the audio version of Disciple! Newness of Life.
Baptizing in the “name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” signifies the disciple is encompassed in the total Person and total plan of God. Nothing in the believer’s life is kept for their own purposes, everything is given to God.
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
-Romans 6:3-4
Here is the video version of Disciple! Newness of Life.
Friend, if you would like to have a copy of the Disciple! book you can purchase it here.
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The Downing Family
