Baptism

One day, I was contemplating one of the most quoted passages in all of Scripture, Matthew 28:19-20, in which we are given Jesus’ final words. Jesus told His Disciples: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

This instruction has been interpreted by Christians to mean that they are to convert all people to Christianity and baptize them into the Christian faith.

In my reflection and study, I discovered something that I had never considered before. The Greek word which is translated as ‘baptize’ in the English language could also be translated as ‘immerse’.

If we were to use this second translation for this passage, we would get this: ‘Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.’

I find this an extraordinary new possibility for understanding Jesus’ instruction.

Did Jesus give us a command to convert everyone to Christianity, or did He give us an instruction to immerse everyone in the teachings of God? Are we to evangelize everyone into the Christian Religion, or are we to constantly share our love of God with the world? Are we to proclaim the critical ritual of baptism, or are we to focus on God and His instruction when we interact with others?

I think the ending of this passage answers these questions: “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Remember what Jesus commanded – love God above all and love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus also shared these teachings – that God is with us, that the Kingdom of God is present among us, that God is merciful and compassionate, and that there is life after death for those who deserve it.

If we share what Jesus taught and instruct all people to listen to Him and to apply His teachings in their lives, we have immersed them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – whether we baptize them into Christianity or not.