Among Jesus' final words were these:
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
These very special words have sent thousands of missionaries around the world and these words have sent millions of new believers into rivers, lakes and baptistries to be immersed in water.
The physical baptismal waters are never too deep. They are just deep enough to picture a death, a burial and a ressurrection. Even so, when understood spiritually there is no water in the universe any deeper than baptismal waters.
Jesus said we were to be baptized in water in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. He said we are to be immersed in God's name. We are to be planted deeply and forever into who God is and what God does for us in Christ.
Jesus did not say to baptize them in the "names". He said to baptize them in the "name". God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are three persons but only one name. God is One.
A name says who we are. Over time a name also says what we do for others. Being baptized in the "name" is to be forever planted in who God is and what God has done for us. Being planted deeply and forever in who God is and what God has done for us raises us to live in newness of life.
The baptismal waters are as deep as who God is and what God has done for us. No matter how deeply you look into the baptismal waters you will never find the bottom. Just when you think you know who God is and all God has done for you there is always more.
Bud McCord
Abide International
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