Obedience is a very important part of baptism. On the day of Pentecost, some did not hear the voice of God the Holy Spirit through Peter's message. They heard a drunken man's rambling: "He is full of sweet wine" (Acts 2:13). However, some had their ears opened and heard, for the first time in their lives, the voice of God speaking through the apostle. What they heard did not tickle those newly-opened ears, but "they were pierced to the heart" (Acts 2:37) by what they heard concerning the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord of all. They cried out, pleading, to Peter: "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter's response was not an "invitation," but the issuance of the King's order to those rebellious traitors who are seeking reconciliation from His eternal throne: "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38). That day the Lord added 3,000 who, after being brought to faith in Christ, took the first step in a life of obedience to Him by submitting to His command to be baptized.
That first step of obedience is not the last, of course, but the first. Jesus, speaking to the 11 gathered on the hill in Galilee, identifies Himself as the One in Whom "all authority has been given...in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18). This all-sovereign King then issues His marching orders to the apostles: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you" (Matthew 28:19,20). After the first step of obedience (baptism) is to come a life growing in faith and obedience to the King of kings. It is a lifelong commitment to teaching and learning together in faith-based obedience as the Church that begins at baptism.
For four, it was a beautiful, God-glorifying beginning last Sunday night. We rejoice, and look forward to seeing what the King will work through their lives for His Kingdom as they follow His voice with us all the days of their lives.
