The Facts About Scriptural Baptism
Baptisms Performed by Jesus
It doesn’t take much to cause division in a church.
From something as small as ‘church decorations vs the second commandment’ to something a little less mundane:
‘grape juice vs wine’ for the Lord’s Supper.
The devil likes setting stumbling blocks to cause discord among the brethren. For this cause Jesus made a decision concerning baptism.
He Himself wouldn’t baptize; He would have the disciples do it. Though baptism is a testimony, there was the possibility that someone baptized by Jesus would consider their baptism to be superior; they were, after all, baptized by God Himself.
The Baptist baptized to prepare the material for the church, making them qualified for church membership. The disciples were the church and their baptisms were adding to the membership of the church.
Don’t forget that the church was fully formed and functional during Jesus’ public ministry. There is a false belief that the church was formed on the day of Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit was poured out on the congregation that day.
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The Facts About Scriptural Baptism
Many like to think that with all the pomp and circumstance that occurred that day that it only makes sense that this would mark the origin of the church.
But Jesus kept things simple. The church began when Jesus called to Andrew and Simon saying “Follow me.”
John the Baptist represented the Old Testament, baptizing those awaiting the Kingdom of Heaven.
The disciples represented the New Testament; those they baptized were part of the New Testament church.
It only makes sense that at some point the disciples would increase their converts over the Baptist’s as his ministry was coming to an end.
John 4
1 ¶ When therefore the Lord knew how the
Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and
baptized more disciples than John, 2
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his
disciples,)
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The Facts About Scriptural Baptism
The Command to Baptize
Whenever an official decree comes out, it will typically bear the seal of whichever official is giving the pronouncement, explaining and confirming the authority of the administrator of the decree.
Jesus did such a thing at the close of Matthew’s gospel. Before He gave them the Great Commission, He reminded them of His final authority.
“All ἐξουσία (ex·o·see·ya) authority is given to me in heaven and in earth.”
Confirming for both the current generation and all who would follow, Jesus was about to give the marching orders for the church.
The Great Commission is something we take for granted; we’ve known it our entire lives. But think back to what the disciples did after Christ’s crucifixion.
They met in secret, fearing capture and torture or worse. They were scared, and to be honest, we would have been if we had been in their place as well. They lacked leadership, they lacked purpose, and they lacked focus.
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The Facts About Scriptural Baptism
After the resurrection, they followed Jesus again, this time probably listening a lot more to what He was saying.
Then before His ascension, He told them what they were to do; these orders were perpetual orders spelling out exactly what He wanted the church to do until His return.
Matthew 28
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them,
saying, All power is given unto me in heaven
and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the