Baptism & disicpleship

Apostle J. Lamon Brodnax talks about the importance of Baptism.

The Significance of Baptism

Baptism is a profound act of faith and obedience that carries deep spiritual significance. As believers in one God and followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to embrace baptism for several important reasons:

  1. Obedience to Christ’s Command: Jesus himself instructed his disciples to “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” (Matthew 28:19). Baptism is an act of obedience to this divine mandate.
  2. Public Profession of Faith: Baptism serves as a visible declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ. As Peter proclaimed on the day of Pentecost, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38).
  3. Symbolic Death and Resurrection: Baptism powerfully symbolizes our spiritual death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ. Paul explains, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
  4. Identification with Christ and His Church: Through baptism, we publicly identify ourselves with Christ and His body, the Church. As Paul writes, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13).
  5. Cleansing and Renewal: Baptism represents the washing away of sins and the renewal of our hearts. As Ananias told Paul, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16).

Baptism is not merely a ritual, but a profound expression of our faith and commitment to Christ. It marks the beginning of our journey as disciples, symbolizing our death to sin, rebirth in Christ, and incorporation into His body, the Church. As we embrace this sacred act, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus himself, who was baptized to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).

Disciple-Making: Our Divine Calling

Beloved, today we focus on the vital task of disciple-making. As Jesus commanded, “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, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.”

Discipleship is not a hobby or an option, but an integral part of our Christian journey. It involves three key elements:

  1. Learning by watching
  2. Learning by doing
  3. Learning by teaching others

To make disciples, we must equip and invest in believers, building up the body of Christ. This process leads to maturity in faith and unity in Christ.

True discipleship requires commitment to Christ’s teachings, love for fellow believers, and bearing fruit. While the cost may seem high, the rewards far exceed it. As we follow Jesus and become more like Him, we experience His presence, peace, and purpose.

Let us embrace this calling to make disciples, not just as casual church members, but as dedicated followers of Christ. In doing so, we fulfill our mission as the church and experience the transformative power of discipleship in our own lives and the lives of others.

Baptism Preparation Request