The Deeper Meaning of BaptismJesus said, "I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built" (Luke 6:47–48). And Jesus said, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46). Again he said, "All authority is given to me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make apprentices to me from all kinds of people, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:18–20). I hope you will agree with me that he didn't just mean getting them thoroughly wet as we say the words over them, but rather that "baptizing them in the name" refers to surrounding them, immersing them in the reality of the Trinitarian community. And then we are to "teach them to obey everything that I have commanded you." That would be a natural next step, completing the process Jesus assigned to his people. From The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship. Copyright © 2006 by Dallas Willard. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers.
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