Our Identity: Baptized in the Name of the Triune God

This Sunday in a stand alone message, we consider what's been called the Great Commission of Jesus from Matthew 28:16-20. Jesus' call to make disciples flows out of the call to be a disciple. When Jesus' first disciples were called he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). A disciple is a student of Jesus and a teacher on behalf of Jesus. Disciples are both learning from Jesus and seeking to lead others to Jesus. Making disciples involves both baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded.

When a person is baptized in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they are declaring allegiance or becoming associated with the Triune God. Disciples of Jesus belong to God and their identity is now defined by Him. They are beloved children of God the Father. They are servants of God the Son. They are ambassadors empowered by God the Holy Spirit to bear witness to Jesus in word and deed. We want to be a church that grows into who God has made us to be in Christ. We want to love one another like family, serve others as Jesus modeled for us, and bear witness to Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.