“Make ’em, Mark ’em, Mold ’em” were the words the elderly preacher used one Sunday morning. As a young believer, I was intrigued by the meaning of each part of his crude outline. His text was from Matthew 28:19-20.
As I read the verses, I learned that “Make ’em” connected with the words, “teach all nations.” The idea was to “make ’em” Christians by providing opportunities for all to accept Christ as their Saviour.
“Mark ’em” had to do with water baptism in the words, “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
“Mold ’em” referred to strengthening believers to live in obedience to the Word of God by “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” The order of Matthew 28:19-20 showed that baptism was the first step of obedience a believer took after becoming a Christian. This order was clearly supported elsewhere in Scripture: Acts 2:38; 2:41; 8:12-13; 8:36-38; 9:18; 10:45-47; 16:14-15, 30-33; 18:8. It was also clear that baptism was a direct command from the Lord Himself.
As I read these verses, this matter of water baptism convicted me. I had falsely professed to be saved at an early age. This was motivated by a desire to impress the elders, my parents, relatives, and my Christian peers. Not only did I agree to be baptized, but I also participated in the Lord’s Supper each Sunday in my unsaved condition.
I was 16 years old when I could no longer live my double life. I was ashamed I had been baptized as an unbeliever. Physically sick with guilt, I began to quietly pass up the loaf and the cup at the Lord’s Supper. I vowed that I would not again partake of these emblems until this matter was settled between me and God. One night, in the quietness of my bedroom, I prayed to God that He would save me. I claimed God’s promise that salvation was available to everyone by His grace. I earnestly acknowledged to God that I believed Jesus Christ died for my sins and that He rose again triumphant over sin and death. I settled it that night, but sadly, told no one. I was too embarrassed over the lie I had lived for years. I realized that the baptism I had earlier experienced was not believer’s baptism, but little more than a public dunking. Should I continue my silence or correct the matter with a scriptural baptism?
The preacher’s message taught me that baptism was a “marking” by a public declaration of association with Christ. During the persecution of the early church, it literally made believers such “marked men” that some paid with their lives. Biblically, it was a visible act of obedience associated with repentance (Acts 2:38), discipleship (Mt. 28:19-20), and identification with Christ in His death and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-6). It was anything but quietly keeping this new life to one’s self. How could I ignore such a direct command of the Lord Jesus Christ by remaining silent? It was difficult to admit, but I requested the elders that I might be baptized “again” and follow the order I had learned in Scripture.
Have you obeyed the Lord’s command since you became a Christian? Baptism was one of the first steps of obedience following salvation for New Testament saints. Sometimes it even occurred “the same hour of the night” (Acts 16:33). I have spent the last 35 years on the third part of the old preacher’s outline—having my life molded by the Word. Where are you in the preacher’s outline? If you have been made a Christian by the grace of God? Have you been marked as such by baptism? Are you being molded by obedience to God’s Word?