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 NABRE
The gospel of Matthew is closing out with instructions from Jesus. He is sending His apostles to all nations to baptize them. Baptism is seen as the entrance into the community of the risen one, Christ the head of the Body of the Church. The instruction makes the community available to all nations, which we have come to understand as all people everywhere. In the day of the instruction it may have been viewed as just for Gentiles, but certainly those who follow in the Apostles footsteps today do not exclude any nation from the community of Christ. To be a disciple we must listen to Jesus, learn from Him how to live and pray and to do what is pleasing to the Father. A Christian disciple is living a way of life that points to Christ as the Master, and daily lives and acts from the example of Jesus life. Jesus also provides a formula for Baptism, doing it in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a Trinitarian seed that would develop over the years in the Christian community. It recognizes the baptism of Jesus where we read of a special scene; the voice of God, and a dove (icon of the Spirit) over Jesus as he is baptized, proclaiming He is a beloved Son. In baptism we receive our own proclamation of belovedness as a son or daughter of God.
As disciples we should live in such a way that our life encourages others to want to become a baptized Christian like us. We should see others who are baptized as brothers and sisters doing whatever we can to hold them in esteem and love. The baptized create a family of Christ and are called to live as Jesus lived.
Do you remember your baptism? Do you recognized as baptized you are the beloved of God?
As disciples we should live in such a way that our life encourages others to want to become a baptized Christian like us. The baptized create a family of Christ and are called to live as Jesus lived. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity#dailybibleverse @youversion#BeAnEncourager #baptize #trinity#Matthew #everybodyalways #god#jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood#dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture#bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray#prayer #goodnews #loveeachother#godisgreat #thisVineyard#youversion #everythingalways