Did Jesus’ Disciples Baptize?
Many Christians today consider baptism to be an important part of their faith. But did the disciples of Jesus also baptize people during his time? Let’s take a closer look at the Bible to find out.
Baptism In The Bible
Baptism is a sacrament that signifies a person’s acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It involves the immersion of a person in water, symbolizing their cleansing from sin and rebirth into a new life with God. The Bible records several instances of baptism, both before and after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
John The Baptist
One of the most famous baptizers in the Bible was John the Baptist. He preached repentance and baptized people in the Jordan River, preparing them for the coming of Jesus Christ. John’s baptism was seen as a sign of a person’s faith and commitment to God.
Jesus’ Baptism
Jesus himself was baptized by John as an act of obedience to God. This event is recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:29-34). At his baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove, and God declared him as his beloved Son.
The Great Commission
After his resurrection, Jesus gave his disciples what is now known as the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). He instructed them to go out into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Did The Disciples Baptize?
Given Jesus’ command to baptize in the Great Commission, it’s safe to assume that his disciples did indeed baptize people. In fact, we see evidence of this throughout the book of Acts.
Peter’s Sermon
In Acts 2:38-41, Peter gives a sermon to a large crowd in Jerusalem. He tells them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about 3,000 people were added to their number that day.
Philip And The Ethiopian Eunuch
In Acts 8:26-39, Philip is led by the Holy Spirit to speak with an Ethiopian eunuch who was reading from the book of Isaiah. Philip explains the gospel message to him, and the eunuch believes and asks to be baptized. They come across some water, and Philip baptizes him right then and there.
Baptism Of Cornelius And His Household
In Acts 10:44-48, Peter is called by God to visit Cornelius, a Roman centurion who had become a believer in God. As Peter speaks with Cornelius and his household, they receive the Holy Spirit just as the Jewish believers had at Pentecost. Peter then orders that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The Bible records several instances of baptism both before and after Jesus’ death and resurrection. John the Baptist prepared people for Jesus by baptizing them in repentance.
Jesus himself was baptized by John as an act of obedience to God. After his resurrection, Jesus gave his disciples what is now known as the Great Commission – instructing them to go out into all nations and make disciples while baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Throughout the book of Acts, we see evidence of his disciples baptizing people in the name of Jesus Christ.
Baptism remains an important sacrament for Christians today, symbolizing their acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It’s a powerful reminder that through faith in Jesus Christ, all believers have been cleansed from sin and given new life with God.