The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Meaning of "Disciple"

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Fundamentally, baptism is for disciples - those that are to be trained in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Disciple does not mean elect but it does mean that the person is in the visible Church and is under obligation to believe in Christ and the Church is under obligation to train him in everything that Christ commanded. Note that the Great Commission is to make disciples: baptizing and teaching them everything Christ has commanded. Hence, those that are disciples are to be baptized and taught. Again, viewed properly it is perfectly compatible with a view of Hebrews that then warns such disciples of the dangers of being brought near all these spiritual blessings and then shirking away in disbelief. Simply noting that some are reprobate does not let men and women off the hook - they are under obligation and as the Church does not know who the reprobate are we are all commanded to fear together, strive together, and not forsake our assembling together.

Finally, it is apparently obvious that both the Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures command the training of children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Children are disciples by definition and by command of the Apostle and are to be baptized as disciples. When we properly understand baptism's role to mark out visible membership as well as promise salvation to all who believe then we properly understand why both children and professors are to be baptized. If we truly believe that only the elect are to be baptized then neither children nor professors ought to be baptized by the visible Church. But, because baptism does not confer union with Christ nor is it performed by the Church to state that a person has true faith but is a promise of salvation and only confers its benefits promised upon the elect, then baptism is appropriate for professors and their children.