Go; Make; Baptize; Receive: Sharing The Good News Message - Part 2525

"The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord; and Thy saints shall bless Thee. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power; to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endures throughout all generations." (Psalm 145:8-13)

So many times, we forget how merciful, how gracious, how long-suffering the Lord God our Saviour is -- how abundant He is in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving our iniquities and transgressions -- to the point of clearing the guilty. Slow to anger because His love is abundant and beyond measure for His creation -- you and I.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you," saith the Lord, "thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11)

As a consequence, we have been allotted a mission statement -- to go and preach the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to all of creation. In bringing those who are lost to our beloved Saviour, we are to feed them with the meat -- His sustenance -- so that these too can become disciples of Jesus. An example of what this looks like can be seen when Saul met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. Saul (breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord) was intent on binding any believers he had found as he journeyed back to Jerusalem.

On the way, Saul was blinded by the light of the Lord. Those that accompanied him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. (Acts 9:1-7) As instructed, these men took Saul to Ananias, who made sure that Saul was baptized, strengthened with the meat, receiving his sight, and being filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 9:8-19)

Interestingly, it was important for Saul to be baptized. Water baptized. In the same way, that throughout the new testament we are instructed to repent, and be water baptized every one of us in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins -- so that we too can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-41)

The great commission (as Matthew 28:19 is often referred) speaks of going into the world and teaching all nations. The two verbs going and teaching. There is a responsibility attached to these -- instructions that will help us to occupy until He comes. But there is a third verb -- baptizing. Just like Saul, we are to be baptized in the water. Just like the other apostles, we are to be water baptized. And as Peter (standing with the eleven) said on the day of Pentecost, those of us who believe that this same Jesus is both Lord and Christ are to repent, and be water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ so that we shall receive the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-41)

In the name. The same name of Jesus which we pray and stand in the gap for others. The same name whereby the Lord heals all who come to Him. The same name used for casting out devils. The name that is above every other name. (Philippians 2:9) And the only name whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) And the same precious, holy name whereby every single believer in the new testament (after the cross) were baptized. Water baptized.

So the next time some religion tells you that water baptism is not necessary (or delivers a contrary message to the scriptures such as water baptism is not the answer of a good conscience toward God as outlined in I Peter 3:21), ask them how then does one become clothed in His righteousness, with His garment of love and peace making you/us complete?

"Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41)

Yes, in the name. The name which the angel of the Lord gave when ushering in the new testament. That is, "Ye shall call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23)

All the way through the new testament, those who believed were water baptized. And after the cross, believers were water baptized in the name that God our Saviour has given His people in this current dispensation of grace.

For other scriptures on water baptism, study Romans 6:3-4; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 19:5; Acts 8:36; Acts 22:16. Recognize that Jesus too was baptized as an example to us. (Matthew 3:13-14) Indeed, in Mark 16:16, Jesus said, "... he that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned."

And then know that we (having received His grace and mercy, His kindness, the One who is  and slow to anger, abundant in grace and truth) we share His good news gospel with those who have still to meet Jesus face to face -- the King of kings and Lord of lords.

More to come. Stand in the offering plate.