All this began one Sunday morning when my pastor informed us that we were to have baptisms on the coming Sunday after the church service. Earlier, I had some knowledge about baptism, though I never really comprehended it. Yes, of course, I understood that it was a token of washing one’s sins and an affirmation of faith in Christ, but what did this all mean to me?

Every time I listened to the baptized people’s testimonies, I felt a stirring inside of me, as if I could hear THE voice telling me to do this. But I was nervous. What if I didn’t fully understand the situation or wasn’t as prepared as I should have been? For instance, what if I sent the message at an inopportune moment, when the recipient was not mentally prepared to receive it?

Seeking Understanding

After the service, I went home and opened my Bible to Matthew 28:19, which was the verse my pastor had mentioned during the service. More about it By now, you must have known that I attend church services each Sunday, and as usual, today my pastor spoke about a verse from the Bible. It says, ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you, and indeed, I am with you till the end of the age: Matthew 28:19–20’.

Finally, I concentrate on the meanings of the verse, and I practice reading it to understand its implications. The baptism in the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit piqued my interest the most. It was more than just a tradition; it was a professed call on my life, saying I would be a Christ-follower and part of His lineage.

A Moment of Reflection

And so the following evening, to be more precise, I took a walk at the park to relieve my mind from the thoughts disturbing it. I knelt down and fervently prayed to the Lord for a clear understanding of what baptism meant for an individual. As I was walking, I noticed a stream flowing alongside the trees. It evoked the act of baptizing, symbolizing the washing away of the old self and the replacement of the new self.

I sat down and closed my eyes, and the first thing I heard—it may sound strange, but I believed I was hearing from God—was that this was it, that my next step as a Christian should be baptism.

Taking a step into the water

The next Sunday, in the service, I voluntarily decided to be baptized. Being in the church courtyard with my church people around me, I was both eager and somewhat worried at the same time. I felt this way until the moment when, standing on the shore and entering the water, all the fears disappeared.

I had felt so restricted and bound before my pastor submerged me in water and pulled me up; it was like rebirth and liberty all in one.

Understanding Matthew 28:19

Reflecting on that experience, I have gained a deeper understanding of the significance of Matthew 28:19. Yes, baptism means going through the water, and it is not just a process of washing with water but of washing with water in order to declare publicly that we are followers of Jesus Christ. It is the funeral of the old man and the resurrection of the new man in Christ.

When Jesus gave the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, he was inviting us to go and spread the word for people to start following Christ and baptize them in the name of God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. This is why baptism is crucial in the process of making disciples, as it initiates the disciples into the same divine family to which Christ belonged.

A Continuing Journey

As previously mentioned, the Christian faith journey has continued after the baptism. I have sinned and lost confidence at times, but a picture of me in the river reminds me of how faithful the Lord is. Baptism is only an introduction to a Christian’s life with Jesus, and I am looking forward to the next step in my life with Him.

If you are considering baptism or seeking a deeper comprehension of this ritual, seek God’s guidance through prayer. If you have any questions, ask them to your pastor and a Christian friend. The scriptural concept of baptism therefore calls for a beautiful act of obedience and faith, and God will lead you all the way.

Baptism in Matthew 28:19

In conclusion, Matthew 28:19 defends the idea that baptism is an essential aspect of a believer’s life. Baptism is more than just a procedure; it is an indication that we will be His disciples and family members. Baptism is a way to publicly confess faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and begin the process of becoming a disciple.

I hope sharing my experience has shed some light on the meaning of baptism and how it relates to Matthew 28: Actually, I got 19. If you need assistance or have your own baptism story or experience to share, you can put your comments in the comment box below. Thank you for reading, and may you have a blessed and joy-filled journey in your Christian faith.