'baptism' Tagged Posts (Page 2)
Daily Devotions
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” vs. 1 Colossians 3:1-7 Sometimes we’re told that we need to accept ourselves as we are, and not spend our lives trying to be something that we are not. There is truth in that advice, but it’s not the whole truth, because the way we are is not always the best that we can be–in fact,…
Daily Devotions
At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay.” vs. 33 Acts 16:25-34 There are some who wish that the Church could return to its first century roots as described by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. They would love to see men and women following the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they establish congregations and proclaim the good news of Jesus. And…
Daily Devotions
Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” vs. 4 Romans 6:3-11 For Paul the crucifixion of Jesus was the central part of the gospel, and as he pondered it through his life he realized that unless believers embraced Jesus’ death, their lives would likely remain unchanged. In fact he saw the…
Daily Devotions
Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’’ vs. 12 Luke 4:9-14 Jesus had already received affirmation of God’s love following his baptism. It was an experience that he could never forget–and now a voice was telling him to ask for more, just in case he’d misunderstood the first time. We know what that’s like. As humans it’s never enough to be told something once, and if our lover has said “You’re…
Daily Devotions
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’” vss. 21-22 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 When John began baptizing by the Jordan, people came out from all the area to hear him preach and to receive a baptism…
Daily Devotions
In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit;” vs. 13 Ephesians 1:8-14 Even though we have been destined in Christ to live holy and blameless lives in love, there comes a time, sometimes as children, perhaps as adults, when we have the opportunity to affirm that destiny. The writer to the Ephesians describes that moment…
Daily Devotions
So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.” vs. 18 Luke 3:15-18 After recounting John’s vivid description of the brood of vipers and the burning of chaff Luke concludes by calling John’s message “good news” for the people. Now some might wonder how such harsh language could be good news for anyone, mostly because religious folks have gotten used to a less costly notion of grace. We’ve been so anxious to get to forgiveness and…
Daily Devotions
He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins…” vs. 3 Luke 3:3-6 John may not have been a member of the Essene Community at Qumran but he was undoubtedly influenced by its practice of ritual immersion for cleansing and renewal, a practice that became the central feature of his ministry. For him the baptism was a sign of repentance and was connected to the forgiveness of sins. It was…
Daily Devotions
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” vss. 31-32 John 8:31-33 There are countless people in our world who have, at one time or another in their lives, made some sort of commitment to Jesus. Perhaps they went through the rite of baptism or confirmation, or maybe at a revival they made…
Daily Devotions
But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.’” vs. 14 Mark 10:13-16 There is some evidence in scripture that Jesus may have been involved in baptisms during his ministry, but there is no indication that he baptized little children or even advocated such a thing. He didn’t know about infant baptism, though…
Daily Devotions
The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles…” vs. 45 Acts 10:44-48 Peter and his buddies were pretty confident they were God’s chosen ones and they could recite quite a litany of scripture passages to back that up. They were proud of who they were and the mark of circumcision that had set them apart from all others. It was their belief that…
Daily Devotions
As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’” Acts 8:32-40 The Ethiopian had been reading Isaiah 53, a passage that early Christians believed told them everything they needed to know about Jesus, which is exactly what Philip proceeded to do. By the end of Philip’s explanation the eunuch is convinced and asked to be baptized. Philip, unencumbered by denominational restrictions,…