I wonder how many people read the title of this editorial and their blood pressure went up 30 points? The purpose of my title was to do just that.

I am not known by enough people to be an attention getter, but when our passions are stirred we will listen. I thought of so many titles that I could use just to stir more people to extend their passion for just a minute. Now, what? What is it that I wanted you to listen to?

What did you think about when you read the title of this editorial? Did your heart sink with, “Oh no, here we go again with another argument on doctrine?”

Were you itching to write an online comment “for” or “against?”

Did you feel threatened or frustrated that someone would write such a statement?

The question asked in the title is very simple. How would you answer? I believe the only answer should be, “Because King Jesus told us to.”

Before we get off track by using the rest of this article defining the word “bap-tid’-zo,” let’s go back to the answer. What stirs my emotions about baptism is the fact that my King said it is something for me to do.

I am stirred! Just like many of the articles I read, I am often stirred, not because of “issues” I have with a person writing an opinion, but because it traces my heart back to ask the question, “Did My King say that?” If so, I have a reason to take note … my passions are stirred!

I’m writing this article to be read just after the State Evangelism conference (Feb. 28-March 1). If you attended, and I lived long enough to attend and preach as planned, then you heard me speak from this very angle of making disciples — because Jesus said so. What does that statement have to do with the title of this article? 

Let’s do some evaluations. Why is it that we make baptism by immersion a “requirement” for church membership (as our church family does), but not discipleship?

I believe the reason we are missing the mark in discipleship is because we have failed to recognize the only reason the subject has validity … Our King commanded it!

Many of you reading this article would cringe if you heard someone say, “It is a requirement in our church that a believer is discipled.” “You can’t force someone to be discipled,” you might say. No, you can’t.

Nor can you force someone to be a disciple. But if you are going to be a disciple of King Jesus, He said you must “make disciples of all nations,” not only “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” but also “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” This is also a part of the command. 

Now, the question is, should we be required to baptize?

The answer is YES, but the primary reason is not because we are Baptist, but because we are Christians. I was not raised in the home of Southern Baptist parents, but I was most definitely raised in the home of Christian parents. So when the Holy Spirit of God brought me to see my need of King Jesus to save me from my sin, my life was surrendered to Him, and I was immediately baptized in our little pond.

This I did not because it was the “Baptist thing to do,” but it was the “Christian … Christ follower … thing to do.” I was discipled in the Word of God because discipleship was just the expected continuation of following Christ.

Let’s pause!

What does my heart look like as I write this article? What does my face look like as I pen these words?

Tears well up in my eyes as I make declarative statements of “My King” and “Our King” because I know what a wonderful blessing it is that The King of kings would love someone like me. You see, I work every day of my life with great passion in making disciples and teaching them because I’ve never gotten over how wonderful My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ really is. You may ask, “What difference does it make to know your heart attitude in this subject?” My answer would simply be, because my heart attitude reveals my passion.

The Bible teaches us that it is “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matt. 12:34). We must come to the place in our personal lives that we allow the Spirit of God to search us to see “why” we do what we do. Heart checks are good for all of us.

Again, the Bible teaches us in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Did you catch those words?  “a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

We can’t do that for each other, but God’s Word will sure do that for us. So, how do we help each other?

In my own life, I have struggled many times over with how I am to control feelings of frustration, hurt, anger, etc., in my relationship with other Christians who disagree with me.

What I am learning in my personal walk is that we as God’s people should never be afraid of examinations because they are simply making us more like our King.

What we do need to guard against is attacks from our enemy Satan that bring divisions. So many times I have “debated” with people over “issues” that never accomplished anything because our discussion digressed from a “spiritual question” to an argument. We often do this under the guise of “standing up for truth,” but the reality is that Christians should be led by the Word of God and not by our opinions or the pressures put on us by others.

If we all simply desire to follow our King Jesus, we will gladly help each other walk through His Word and learn the application of what He has said.

That is discipleship!

So, why is it so complicated? I believe the answer is very simple … we are sinful by nature!

I believe the “fix” for evangelism, discipleship, doctrinal purity, fellowship, worship, indeed, most issues we face in life, is to get back to the basics.

Now what would that be? Do what we do because King Jesus told us to and stop arguing with each other about what He said to do; or to borrow from Nike; “Just do it!”

No, I’m not shouting this in anger, frustration, or hurt, but I’m shouting this just like a fireman would shout out directions to someone trapped in a fire and needed to know directions to the nearest exit!

There’s urgency in this my friends!

King Jesus didn’t give us long to work so we have no time to waste! Our task to make disciples of all nations demands that we help each other, and we’ll never do that unless we get back to Who we allow to give us directions.

I will never be all I was created to be until I stop following my orders or your orders and begin following the orders of King Jesus. Until He alone becomes my passion, I will not be a disciple. What about you? Did you extend your heart for this article? Has the Holy Spirit stirred some things in you that you need to just repent of? Will you allow King Jesus to be the last Word? I pray you will!

I want to thank you for taking the time to read this article. My desire is that we would help each other just get back to doing the work by asking, “Who said so?” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we as God’s people would spend our times talking to everyone around us about our wonderful, perfect King Jesus?

Then, I believe we will see the revival needed in this generation because we will be making disciples of all nations and teaching them to observe everything He has commanded, just like King Jesus told us to. I love you my brothers and sisters! May we follow faithfully until He comes!

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Redding is pastor of Hull’s Grove Baptist Church in Vale.)

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