Get baptised

Jesus told his disciples to go into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptise them, and teach them to obey everything he had commanded them.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  Matthew 28:18-20

When Christians get baptised into Jesus, they get baptised into his death. They are buried with him through baptism into death in order that they may live a new life, just as Jesus was raised from the dead.  Their old self is crucified with Jesus through baptism so that they are set free from sin and no longer slaves to sin. Through faith they are raised with Jesus from death and made alive. Through baptism their heart is circumcised by Christ through the Holy Spirit doing an inner work on their heart, putting off the old self. Baptism enables Christians to have a clear conscience toward God and clothes them with Christ. Christians are to count themselves dead to sin but alive to God in Jesus, putting off their old self ruled by the flesh and not offer any part of their body to sin, so sin doesn’t reign in their life. Rather, they should offer themselves to God. All disciples receive the one baptism so they should make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit with other Christians through the bond of peace.

The Holy Spirit lives in a Christian. The prophets Ezekiel and Joel prophesied that God would put his Spirit on his people, both men and women. John the Baptist testified that Jesus was God’s chosen one who would baptise with the Holy Spirit. Once Jesus was glorified, He sent the Holy Spirit who gave the disciples power to be his witnesses. At Pentecost, Peter explained to onlookers that the disciples were being enabled to speak in the crowds’ native languages by the Holy Spirit coming upon them as the prophets of old had prophesied. When people responded to the message that Jesus, who had been crucified and had been resurrected, was the Messiah, Peter told them to repent and be baptised for the forgiveness of their sins and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.