Before Jesus ascended to the Father, he gave to his disciples the last instructions (known today as the Great Commission):
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Jesus’ last instructions to his disciples highlight the importance of baptism for believers and the church. The disciples obeyed Jesus and made disciples of Him. And they baptized the new believers as Jesus had commanded them. Baptism has continued to be an integral part of the Christian church throughout its history.