Are you willing to follow Jesus in baptism?
In Jesus’ Journey to the Jordan River, we see Jesus setting an example through His own baptism by John the Baptist. Jesus lived His life in complete submission to the Father, as we see throughout the Discipleship Journeys with Jesus lessons.
Watchman Nee said, “Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith.”
This article is coauthored by Mark Alan Williams and Beth Harris. Beth is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer writer and editor for markalanwilliams.net.
Baptism is significant, because it gives us the gift of publicly declaring our faith in Him before God and others.
I (Mark) was so delighted to be in Israel recently and at the Jordan River with our DJJ Holy Land pilgrimage group. In our group of 49, about half were baptized or re-baptized there. It was fantastic!
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ and receive Him as our Lord and Savior, we become born again and receive salvation (John 3:3-17). We receive the Holy Spirit and we become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Baptism is an outward symbol of this inward change that has taken place.
Romans 6:3-7 says, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” (NIV)
This DJJ study, Jesus’ Journey to the Jordan River, teaches us that because of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection; we have died to sin and our old life and we have received new and everlasting life in Christ. We have been cleansed from our sins and received His righteousness in exchange for our unrighteousness, because of His sinless life and perfect sacrifice for us.
Jesus’ Journey to the Jordan River teaches us that baptism is a commandment that Jesus instructs us to obey as we are making disciples. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (NIV)
Baptism does not save us, only faith alone in Christ alone saves us; however, baptism is the next step of obedience to be taken soon after we experience salvation.
Lastly, Jesus’ Journey to the Jordan River helps us to understand that baptism is a privilege in which we can publicly declare our acceptance of Christ and profess our intent to follow Him forever.
Have you been baptized?
CONCLUSION:
Jesus’ final Great Commission was to “make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19) You are invited to use the Discipleship Journeys with Jesus materials to make disciples, as Jesus commanded. They’re completely free and easy to access on the internet. Just go to www.djjministry.org and sign up for the complimentary materials.
Each study is accompanied by two short videos recorded on location in the lands of the Bible, so you can see where the events happened! The photo above titled “Quarter 1, Journey 2” is from the videos of this journey.
Journey 2 of DJJ, based on Matthew 3:13-17 tells us about baptism. In this Discipleship Journeys with Jesus study of Jesus’ Journey to the Jordan River, we read, reflect on and interact on that passage and the events recorded there. We commit to be baptized.
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Additional resources about related subjects on this site:
Podcast: Have I committed the unpardonable sin?
Podcast: What’s the value of 1 to 1 discipleship?
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