Baptism 03: Baptism for New Believers
Orientate
When I teach new preachers, I emphasise the need to speak truth, to call people to respond, and to tell them how to respond. In this passage, we will read about the ending of Peter’s first sermon. The Spirit had come on Jesus’ disciples accompanied by all sorts of powerful signs and so Peter preached impromptu to the astounded onlookers. But he clearly hadn’t been in my preaching class, because he didn’t tell them how to respond to the gospel. They actually had to ask the disciples what to do. They wanted to know how they were to respond to this incredible message about Jesus. Peter’s reply was clear. Check it out.
Explore: Acts 2:36-41
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Journal
Journal for a few minutes on the following questions:
1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?
2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?
3. What do I need to do?
4. What did the new believers have to do and what happened?
Reflect
What an incredible reaction to the gospel of Jesus. Imagine getting 3000 responses to your first proper sermon. Obviously, God’s Spirit was working powerfully through Peter. The first Christian baptismal service must have gone on forever, but I bet no-one complained. The kingdom of God was on the move as Jesus had promised.
So what does this tell us about baptism? As with John’s baptism, it was associated with repentance and forgiveness of sins. This is an issue that makes the practice of infant baptism difficult. There is no personal repentance. Our church only baptises believers – those who have repented of their sin and received forgiveness from Jesus. If you were baptised as a baby, you can still be baptised as a believer. This is not rejecting your previous baptism but is actually affirming the promise and expectation of your parents that in time you would personally choose to follow Jesus. It is your confirmation of that promise and prayer of your parents.
Baptism here is also associated with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Those baptised came out of the water to a new life in the power of the Holy Spirit. It was through their baptism that they received the Holy Spirit.
This raises a key question. How important is baptism? In this situation, it appears that new believers were saved through their baptism. Without baptism there would have been no salvation. But that’s because baptism was the way the early Christians responded to the gospel. In some places in the New Testament (like here), baptism seems to be the same as salvation. But it isn’t. Baptism is the outward symbol of the internal change that God brings in us through the work of Jesus. Baptism is really important, but it doesn’t save us. Jesus does that
Pray
Lord, the words of Peter are echoing in my mind, “Repent and be baptised every one of you.” My heart is to follow you and obey you. Give me strength to do what you are asking of me.
Respond
If you get a chance today, ask someone about their baptism – what happened and what it meant to them.
