"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit." - Matthew 28:19
It's easy to see the importance of that first command: "Go and make disciples." That makes sense, right?
The significance of that second part is sometimes unclear for people.
But Jesus emphasized baptism for a reason.
Baptism itself isn't salvation; it's the proclamation of it.
Baptism is the public declaration of a switched mindset - from allegiance to self to submission to the reigning lordship of Christ.
It's through baptism that we testify that we know we're messed up, and we've found the only One who can cleanse our sin-stained soul. It's an opportunity for love-stricken Believers to shout to the world of the glorious things God has done in their lives. And it's a chance for God's love, mercy, and saving grace to be high and lifted up.
Jesus, whose only goal was to glorify the Father, believed deeply in radically changed, passionate hearts shouting proclamations of God's goodness and glory, not just one time through baptism, but with every single breath.
Let us live every day in a baptismal mindset with a desire to make God and His grace known through our lives.
Today, we're celebrating with believers who want to make their faith and devotion known! Praise God!
Join us this evening at Sycamore Flats for a picnic and baptism celebration! We'll start eating at 5, and the baptism will start at 6:30! Park at Sycamore Flats, or hop on a shuttle from the church to the forest! We'll see you at the river!
