BAPTISM
TUESDAY, APRIL 29
READING: ACT2:36-41
WHY THE WATER
Have you ever noticed how Jesus used very basic elements to teach and explain things about the Kingdom of God? For example — he often referred to things like bread and yeast, wine and wine skins, living things like sheep, goats, wolves, and snakes. He even taught about the dirt, trees, grass and other basic things. And he referred to water — a lot!
Jesus did some of his most important ministry connected to water —
Jesus even initiated His Church on the very first day of its existence with the coming of the Holy Spirit through repentance and baptism - WATER! (Acts 2:36-41.)
As we reflect on Jesus’ call to us, let’s remember that stepping into the waters of baptism is an important way to LIVE out our resurrection. Following Jesus starts with a simple act of obedience — being baptized as He was — with water, fully immersed as we surrender and respond to the call to LIVE as resurrected people, empowered by the Living Water Himself!
Like the early church, our obedience in baptism is a simple act of worship and submission to His commission to go, teach, baptize and prepare others to be His disciples!
Jesus did some of his most important ministry connected to water —
- With water (like offering living water to the Samaritan woman at the well, John 4:5-42.)
- Near water (calling his first disciples by the sea, Mark 1:16-20.)
- On the water (walking across the sea at night, Mark 6:45-56)
- In the water (when he was publicly baptized by John the Baptist, Matthew 3:13-17.)
Jesus even initiated His Church on the very first day of its existence with the coming of the Holy Spirit through repentance and baptism - WATER! (Acts 2:36-41.)
As we reflect on Jesus’ call to us, let’s remember that stepping into the waters of baptism is an important way to LIVE out our resurrection. Following Jesus starts with a simple act of obedience — being baptized as He was — with water, fully immersed as we surrender and respond to the call to LIVE as resurrected people, empowered by the Living Water Himself!
Like the early church, our obedience in baptism is a simple act of worship and submission to His commission to go, teach, baptize and prepare others to be His disciples!
JOURNALING QUESTIONS
Grab your journal and spend some time reflecting on your own faith journey.
- What or who influenced you most to follow Jesus?
- What led you to surrender to Jesus in Baptism? If you haven’t taken that step, why not?
- As you reflect, what stands out to you as important reasons to obey Jesus’ teaching about baptism?
- In what ways does the act of Baptism in water help you connect with Jesus’ invitation to live the resurrection? (Buried with him in death, raised to new life in Christ.)
- If you had the opportunity to share Christ with someone, what would you tell them about the role of baptism?
- How does baptism, or full immersion in water, remind you that the call of the Spirit is to always live fully immersed in the Kingdom of God?
NEXT STEPS
If you would like to talk to someone about Baptism, we’d love to connect with you! Complete this Connect Card, check the box that says ‘I am interested in baptism’ and someone will follow up with you.