SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptised with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
OBSERVATION: Peter had been called to the home of a Gentile He had been clearly prepared by a dream and sent by the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:10-20 Peter spoke about Jesus, but as he was speaking the Holy Spirit came upon the Gentiles in the same way He had come on the Jews on the Day of Pentecost (see Acts 2)
Since it was clear that accepting the Gentiles was a God-thing, Peter had them all baptized in water.
APPLICATION: Baptism is a way of identifying with Jesus. As we go under the water, we are identifying with His death in that we are buried; we have died to our old way of life. [NOTE: we do not burry something to kill it, but we burry it because it is dead! Our old way of life died with Christ on the Cross. Romans 6:4] As we come out of the water, we are identifying with His resurrection; we are now living a new life with Jesus as LORD! [In Christ we are a new creation! 2Corinthians 5:17]
As I read the Bible, we do not have to be baptized in water to be saved, but if we are saved and want to follow Jesus, it is definitely the right thing to do. [We have the example of Jesus; we have the teachings in the New Testament about baptism; we have the example of the church in the book of Acts.]
PRAYER: Lord, we love you and our desire is to please you. Holy Spirit, as we desire to grow in loving Jesus, reveal to each heart about water baptism. As we walk with you, we know that you will guide each of our steps and you will provide the way for us to follow through in pleasing Jesus! Amen
Pastor Leon
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