This is the most important commission given to His followers. Yet, it has
often been replaced by a secular practice of physical immersion in water,
rather than immersing Christ’s followers in the knowledge of the roles of God
the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This commandment is meant to
be the foundation for understanding everything the followers of Jesus Christ
have learned from Him.
The Bible is the only source for understanding
the will of God today. It must also be the heart of our discipleship, because
the most important task of eternity is to prepare the human heart for
redemption. This need arises from a widespread misunderstanding of the most
commonly used word in Christianity today—salvation.
Perhaps we should begin by helping today’s
Christians understand the true meaning of salvation—or, even more urgently,
proclaim to the world that Christianity today
needs salvation.
The first four chapters of the Bible reveal
how humanity became separated from fellowship with the God of Creation. As a
result of this estrangement, we were condemned to suffering and hardship. Yet
God also revealed His purpose of redemption: He promised to send a human
offspring through a specially chosen woman. This man, Jesus Christ, paid the
price to restore humanity, making it possible for us to one day dwell with the
God of Creation again (Genesis 3:15).
Allow the Holy Spirit of God to help you
understand this truth today. Let the teachings of the Bible be applied in a way
that speaks clearly to the people of today’s world and rational mindset.