Why We’re Baptists and Why It Matters

Matthew 28:18–20

Why are you a Baptist? Perhaps you grew up in a Baptist church or came because someone invited you. Those answers tell your story. But another question gets to the heart of the matter:

What difference does being Baptist make in the way you follow Jesus?

Our convictions shape how we worship, whom we baptize, what we teach, and how we care for one another. We should understand their biblical foundation and put them into practice.

🎯 The Main Idea

Our Baptist convictions should help us obey Jesus faithfully. In the Great Commission, we see three responsibilities:

• Submit to Christ’s authority. His Word governs our beliefs and practices.
• Follow Christ’s plan. Make disciples, baptize believers, and teach obedience.
• Depend on Christ’s presence. Trust his promise as we carry out his commission.

These responsibilities belong to every Christian. They also provide a standard for examining what we believe and do as Baptists.

📖 The Passage: Matthew 28:18–20

After his resurrection, Jesus met the eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee. They worshiped him, though some doubted. He gave them this command and promise:

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:18–20, KJV

👑 1. Submit to Christ’s Authority

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

“Power” means authority, the right to rule and command. The risen Lord has the right to direct his church’s beliefs, practices, and mission.

Before asking what kind of church we want to be, we need to ask what Jesus commands his church to be.

Why this matters

• Scripture tests our convictions. “We’ve always done it that way” cannot establish whether a practice is right.
• Christ’s authority calls for obedience. “Go ye therefore” connects his right to command with our responsibility to act.
• Agreement must lead to action. We can nod through a sermon and still ignore its message during the week.

Think of a football team that agrees on a play in the huddle, then runs in different directions. Hearing the instructions helps only when the players follow them.

Being raised Baptist explains how some of us got here. Whether our beliefs agree with Christ’s Word determines whether we ought to hold them.

💬 Ask yourself: Could I explain my convictions from Scripture, or would I mostly talk about how I was raised?

✅ Take one step: This week, choose one conviction and write two sentences explaining its biblical basis. Start with believers’ baptism and Acts 2:41.

🌍 2. Follow Christ’s Plan for Making Disciples

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”

“Teach all nations” means to make disciples of all peoples. A disciple learns from Jesus and follows him. Baptizing and teaching are part of that work.

Reach people with the gospel

Earlier, Jesus had directed the Twelve to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). Now he sends them to all nations.

His commission reaches beyond our familiar circles. We cannot take “all nations” seriously while caring only about people who share our background and customs.

Baptize those who believe

“Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Acts 2:41 describes the early church’s response:

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.”

They received the gospel and were baptized. This pattern is a key reason Baptists practice believers’ baptism.

Baptism publicly identifies a believer with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. It expresses allegiance to Christ and matters because he commanded it.

Teach believers to obey

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”

“Observe” means to keep or obey. The goal is to help people put Jesus’ words into practice.

We may know what the Bible says about forgiveness while holding a grudge. We may understand the command to love our neighbors while making little room for them.

Knowing the lesson does not guarantee that we are living it.

After baptism, the early believers “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42). New believers still need people to answer questions, offer encouragement, and help them grow.

💬 Ask yourself: Who am I personally helping to understand and obey Jesus?

✅ Take one step: Within the next seven days, read Matthew 28:18–20 with one person. Discuss: “What is one thing Jesus commands here that we need to put into practice?”

🤝 3. Depend on Christ’s Promised Presence

“I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

You may feel unprepared to help someone else follow Jesus. The first disciples needed assurance too. Jesus knew their limitations when he gave them this assignment.

He gave them a promise to go with the command: “I am with you.”

What his promise means for us

• We can obey while feeling uncertain. Confidence grows as we trust the one who sends us.
• We can keep going when the work is difficult. Slow results do not mean Jesus has abandoned us.
• His promise reaches our generation. “The end of the world” means the end of the age. His presence extends beyond those first eleven disciples.

A child facing an unfamiliar task finds courage when a parent says, “I’ll be right beside you.” The task still requires effort, but knowing help is close makes a difference.

Jesus promises his presence as we carry out his commission.

💬 Ask yourself: What step of obedience am I postponing because I keep thinking about my limitations?

✅ Take one step: This week, have one conversation about faith that you have been avoiding. Before you begin, pray:

“Lord Jesus, you promised to be with me. Help me speak faithfully and trust you with the response.”

👣 What Will You Do Next?

A church bulletin tells people our name and lists our activities. It cannot tell them whether we are obeying Jesus.

That involves each of us. Ask:

• Are we letting Scripture govern our beliefs?
• Are we sharing the gospel?
• Are we baptizing believers and helping them grow?
• Are we trusting Christ enough to take our next step?

Choose one specific step of obedience this week. You may need to follow Christ in baptism, examine a belief in light of Scripture, or help someone grow as a disciple.

Ask the Lord for help, and follow through.

✝️ Your First Step May Be Trusting Christ

You can attend a Baptist church and still need to be saved. Church membership and baptism cannot forgive your sins.

The gospel is good news:

• Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for our sins.
• He rose again.
• He offers forgiveness and eternal life to everyone who turns to him in faith.
• Salvation is a gift you receive by trusting him. You cannot earn it.

Will you turn from your sin and trust Jesus today? You can call on him right where you are. There are no special words you must say. Place your trust in the Savior who died and rose again for you.

Have questions or want to talk? Please speak with our pastor. We would be glad to open the Bible with you.

If you already know Christ, consider your next step of obedience. The Lord who gave the commission has promised to be with you as you follow him.

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