After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Mark 1:14-15
Here it is- “the time has come”.
A friendly newcomer has arrived in your village, making quite an entrance in the bustling town square. Excitingly, they have brought news about a new king who will be ruling over us! This messenger shared an enchanting tale filled with extraordinary details about how this new king came into being. From a unique and extraordinary birth to possessing supernatural wisdom, this king is truly exceptional. Their acts of power and virtue are nothing short of remarkable!
Furthermore, the messenger recounted the riveting story of how our new king bravely challenged the previous ruler for the throne and emerged triumphant. It turns out, this new king was undeniably more qualified and deserving of the crown. In fact, they were chosen by the gods to be the divine ruler of our village.
You’ve heard the story and been asked to respond.
“Will you pledge your obedience and service to your new king?”
In the previous blog post about faith, we said that the intended response to a gospel being shared is allegiance or commitment to a king. The kingdom word that is used to talk about commitment to a king is “faith.”
If you believe the gospel told by the messenger, and respond with faith- by committing yourself to follow the new king, what happens next?
First off, you must stop following the old king. Leave your loyalty to the previous ruler behind. Step away from the path paved by the defeated king and pledge your allegiance to the new ruler. Jesus says you can’t serve two masters. But it’s not just about making a choice to follow a new king, it’s about being a loyal servant to that king. We listen to our new king’s orders and do as we’re told.
Allegiance without obedience is nothing
“…so faith without deeds is dead.”
James 2:26
Repent
If you’ve been following my previous blog posts, you might already be aware of what I’m about to discuss: there’s a term in the kingdom’s vocabulary that refers to shifting loyalties and responding to a call for obedience with faith and trust. That term is “repent.” Sometimes, we tend to mix up repentance with confession, or even with feelings of conviction or shame. But the biblical command to repent is an invitation to align our faith and commitments with the proper king in response to a gospel announcement
For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Matthew 21:32
John, the messenger, proclaimed the kingdom’s arrival. Some embraced it while others doubted and remained loyal to their current allegiances.
In Luke 5, Jesus declares that this was exactly his mission:
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:32
Quick Recap : The proper response to hearing a gospel is faith, which is pledging your allegiance to the new king while also renouncing your loyalties to the previous king.
At this point we can see that it is almost impossible to respond to a gospel with neutrality. A gospel requires a response. Will you remain loyal to the previous king whose kingdom you’ve been told is defeated and doomed? Or will you repent of that allegiance, and pledge your loyalty to the new king? How are we to respond?
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is recorded laying out the two options we have upon hearing that God’s kingdom has come. Believe and be baptized or do not believe and be condemned.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:16
Baptism
If you have been around a church culture that emphasized a believer’s baptism, than you are no doubt familiar with the connection between repentance and baptism. And while discussing these topics in the context of kingdom language may be a bit different, this can actually do a great deal to deepen and strengthen our understanding of both.
Upon renouncing your loyalty to the ruling power that previously shaped your life, you commit yourself to following King Jesus. And how do you announce that commitment? How are people supposed to know to which kingdom you are loyal? What is it that signifies your exit from one kingdom and entrance into the other kingdom? How do you announce which kingdom you are participating in and which King you will follow?
Baptism is a means of grace proclaiming faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. It is to be administered to believers indicating their full purpose of obedience in holiness and righteousness.
Manual (2017-2021) Church of the Nazarene – Paragraph 12
Baptism is the act of declaring one’s loyalty to King Jesus. Its a sign of the covenant relationship between God and His creation. It announces to God and everyone that the one being baptized has heard the gospel announcement, let go of all prior commitments and loyalties, while embracing Jesus and Jesus alone.
Over the years, I’ve integrated “remember your baptism” moments into church services. Usually, I fill a bowl with water and ask people to remember their commitment to Jesus by placing their hands in the water. They’re invited to recall why they put their faith in him, reflecting on how he has cared, provided, forgiven, and given them life. These moments can lead to conviction, where people recognize their diminishing faith, or gratitude, as they realize God’s abundant blessings.
Baptism, as the announcement of faith is such a powerful image. There is the imagery of being washed clean in the water. There is the imagery of going under the chaotic waves, dying and being buried with Jesus then being raised to new life. How awesome is it that the beginning of our allegiance and service to king Jesus begins with an act that washes away our burden rather than adding to it? As we are invited to follow the new king of all creation, we are freed from that which has corrupted the old kingdom. Often times being a people who have been conquered by a new ruler was a time of oppression, and suffering. As we enter into the kingdom of our new king, we receive forgiveness, grace, mercy, and life.
The Kingdom of God is here! Repent and be baptized!
Additional Scriptures and Discussion Questions
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructs his disciples to be those messengers who go preaching the Gospel.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Question: Have you ever wrestled with the tension in these verses created by the command to announce the gospel and Jesus’s other command to teach people to obey his commands? How does what we have explored so far in these blog posts, resolve that tension or remove the appearance that Jesus is sharing a “works-based” gospel?
Question: When Jesus says to baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, what does that mean in light of our discussion on repentance and baptism?
Next week’s Topic: Christ, the anointed Messiah
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Tanner H Griffin 
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