Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-12
BY REV. HUGH t. STEVENSON.

Baptism was not introduced into the
symbolism of religion by the founder
Of Christianity. 1t was a contribu-
ton of the movement instituted by
John the Baptist to the religion of
Jesus. Some have traced the origin
of baptism back into the Chris
tian age. The fact that Jews and
heather anticipated Christian bap-
tism by practicing similar rites does
not neutralize it's validity. 1t confirms
it's significance. Christ adopted this
contribution from the custom and
practice of the religions of His day
because He recognized that it pos
sessed a symbolical significance that
would aid His spiritual enterprise
He adopted it as part of his plan
message. He sanctioned its use by
submitting to it personally. having
HIS disciples to baptize those who
accepted His teachings and command
ing its practice by His church in His
great commission, which outlined His
program to win the world.
In the final marching orders to His
church the risen Lord commanded His
followers to evangelist, enlist and
educate all nations. He did not or
of the world. He put no sword into
their hands. as Mahomet did in the
hands of his followers. They were
to evangelize all the nations by the
pentance and remission of sins and
the assurance of the resurrection.
They were to preach the gospel to
every creature. They were to dis
ciple all nations by winning them
individually. teaching them the great
truths of God and informing them of
the purpose of His grace toward
them; instruct them in the mystery
of the great redemption. and with
faithful and loving words reconcile
men to God by the proclamation of
forgiveness through His name"
All who proved themselves worthy
of citizenship in the kingdom were
to be ,naturalized by being baptized.
They were to be formally enlisted
into the service of the church and
indicted into the new relationship by
suggestive ritual that symboliZed
their union with Christ in His death
and resurrection. guaranteeing to
them their own resurrection and
on earth They were not only to
be baptized in water. but into the
name of the Father. and Of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost" The formula
Of authority by which baptism is ad
minisetered also teaches that the
person baptized has entered into the
mystical union which exists between
all true believers and the Triune
God. 1t proClalmS an inward puri-
fication through divine grace as the
condition by which one enters into
the spiritual life.
The other part of the glorious COM
mission refers to the pastoral charac-
ter which is permanent, for every fol-
lower of Christ will need to be taught
ito observe all things whatsoever"
the Lord Jesus has commanded"
The Master puts an emphasis, where
the prophets put it, on obedience not
sacrifice; on spirit. not letter; on life
not ritual, SO that diScipleShip is
coupled with loyal obedience to the
commands, principles and teachings of
the Christ They only are the friends
of Jesus who prove their love for Him
by doing His will, or at least striving
to do so. Our loyalty to the Savior
is seen in our faithful efforts to obey
His commands. contained in His great
commission to the Church. which calls
for the following of His example
Baptism marked for Christ a crisis
in His life. He travelled many miles
from His home in Nazareth to be bap-
tized of John in the Jordan. He came
that He might fulfill all righteousness
and identify Himself with the work of
John by being baptized by His great
forerunner. who had prepared the way
for His appearance both by his preach
ing and prophecies concerning the
coming of the Kingdom of God No
wonder John, who had demanded re-
pentance, heSitated when Jesus re-