Tag Disciple

Are you WASHED?

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Far from a mere ritual, BAPTISM is a divinely ordained step that aligns believers with Christ’s redemptive work. Through baptism, individuals experience a cleansing of sins, union with Christ’s church, salvation, and an inheritance as heirs of God’s promises.

1. Washing Away Our Sins

Baptism serves as a divine act of cleansing, washing away the stain of sin. In Acts 22:16, Ananias urges Saul, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” This passage emphasizes baptism’s role in cleansing the believer’s conscience before God. Similarly, Acts 2:38 declares, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Here, baptism is linked directly to the remission of sins and the reception of the Holy Spirit. Additionally, Matthew 26:28 connects the concept of forgiveness to Christ’s sacrifice: “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Baptism, therefore, is the moment when a believer appropriates the forgiveness secured by Christ’s blood. Supporting this, Ephesians 5:26 describes Christ sanctifying the church “by the washing of water with the word,” reinforcing baptism’s cleansing power.

2. Added to the Church That Christ Built

Through baptism, believers are united with the body of Christ, the church He established. Acts 2:47 states, “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” This follows the account of 3,000 souls being baptized and added to the church after Peter’s sermon (Acts 2:41). Baptism is the entry point into Christ’s church, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:13: “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” This passage highlights the unity of believers in the church through baptism. Additionally, Colossians 1:18 affirms Christ as “the head of the body, the church,” underscoring that baptism incorporates individuals into this divine institution, built by Christ Himself (Matthew 16:18).

3. Saved Through Baptism

Baptism is intricately tied to salvation, as it is the moment when a believer’s faith is actualized in obedience to God’s command. 1 Peter 3:21 explicitly states, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” This verse clarifies that baptism is not a mere physical cleansing but a spiritual act that appeals to God for salvation. Mark 16:16 further supports this: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” The connection between baptism and salvation is also evident in Romans 6:3-4, which describes believers being “baptized into his death” and raised to “walk in newness of life,” symbolizing the transformative power of baptism in securing salvation.

4. Becoming Heirs of Abraham

Baptism establishes believers as heirs of the promises made to Abraham, uniting them in God’s covenant family. Galatians 3:27-29 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ… And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Through baptism, believers become part of the spiritual lineage of Abraham, inheriting the blessings of God’s covenant. Romans 4:16 reinforces this, stating that the promise to Abraham comes “to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” Additionally, Ephesians 3:6 affirms that through the gospel, Gentiles are “fellow heirs” with Israel, a reality actualized in baptism as believers are incorporated into Christ’s body.

5. Putting on Christ

In baptism, believers clothe themselves with Christ, taking on His identity and righteousness. Galatians 3:27 declares, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” This vivid imagery portrays baptism as the moment when a believer is enveloped in Christ’s nature. Romans 13:14 echoes this, urging believers to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” a process initiated at baptism. Colossians 3:9-10 further supports this idea, describing believers as having “put off the old self with its practices and… put on the new self,” a transformation that begins with baptism’s symbolic burial and resurrection (Colossians 2:12).

6. Becoming a Disciple of Christ

Baptism marks the beginning of a life of discipleship, as believers commit to following Christ. Matthew 28:19 commands, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Baptism is the initiatory step in making disciples, signifying a public commitment to Christ’s teachings. Acts 8:12 illustrates this: “But when they believed Philip as he preached good news… they were baptized, both men and women,” showing that baptism follows belief and marks the start of discipleship. John 3:5 further emphasizes baptism’s role in entering the kingdom of God: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God,” linking baptism to the disciple’s journey of faith.

Baptism is far more than a symbolic act; it is a transformative moment in the believer’s life, rich with spiritual significance. Through baptism, sins are washed away, believers are added to Christ’s church, salvation is received, the promises to Abraham are inherited, Christ is put on, and a lifelong journey of discipleship begins. These truths, grounded in Scripture, underscore baptism’s ESSENTIAL role in the Christian faith.

AGAPE

the BREAD of Life

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After miraculously feeding 5,000+ people, Jesus crosses the sea of Galilee, and those having eaten, follow Him.

Jesus, knowing what is in the heart of a person said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” (John 6:26-27)

He then preaches to them where he says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 3:51)

Those hearing this statement were confused, so too many today. How are we to understand this statement about Jesus being the BREAD of life and the necessity of eating it? This is a figurative statement with a major lesson behind it. Here are 5 clues to help us understand its meaning and how to comply.

The first clue, Jesus said in verse 35, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” Two things are discovered; 1) whoever is to have the blessing of the Bread of Life must come to Him, and 2) they must BELIEVE on Him. In this same book of John, we learn that BELIEF comes from reading about Him. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:31; cf. Rom 10:17) So, the first clue teaches us that to eat His flesh is a figure for reading His word.

Next, Jesus continues by comparing Himself to the manna that came down from heaven (6:31-34). He then says, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” (38-39). From this we learn that He, as the Bread of Life, came down from heaven to RAISE up certain people. The Bread of Life is related to being RAISED up to heaven.

Related to this is the next clue found in verse 40. “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (47,54) Speaking again about ‘belief,’ Jesus relates the raising up to those same people having EVERLASTING LIFE. Remember, Belief comes from reading about Jesus.

The fourth clue is found in verse 62. Many of the disciples began to murmur, wondering who could hear it. In response Jesus said, “What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?” It’s interesting that He now speaks of ASCENDING into heaven after telling them He came down. This Bread of Life came down, like the manna, but this Bread will ASCEND back into heaven. In our time, we know what happens later. Jesus will ASCEND into heaven, but not before instructing the Apostles in Matt 28:19-20, where we read; “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt 28:19-20). Once again, we see the repeated theme of teaching, learning, and obeying.

The commentary of scripture is telling us that the eating of the Bread of Life is related to learning, reading, and obeying the instructions from Jesus. In John 1 He is also called The Word.

However, some of the DISCIPLES turned. “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. The last clue is found in Peter’s statement. “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:66-68)

While they may not have fully appreciated the depth of Jesus’ words, Peter seems to recognize something. Eternal Life is related to the teaching of Jesus. He would fully understand later; “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:” (John 16:13). So, being a DISCIPLE, (a learner, i.e. pupil), is our fifth clue. It’s not enough to just believe, we must do.

Eating His flesh and drinking His blood is not literal. Neither is it related to the Lord’s Supper, which is not literal either. What it means is to be a Hearing, believing, obedient follower of Christ.

— spencer

Spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper St church of Christ in Borger Texas. If you live in the Borger area and would like a personal bible study, please reach out & let us know how we can help you know more of God’s word.