What is baptism all about and why is it important? Is there something supernatural that happens? Does it save us? If not, why bother? Also, if it is important, is being baptized as a baby good enough?
Today’s Readings:
1 Chronicles 19 & 20
Psalm 78.26-33
Proverbs 19.27-29
Acts 8.26-40
Baptism: When & Why?
Acts 8.26-40:
The Ethiopian Eunuch
In this passage, we meet an Ethiopian eunuch who had been to Jerusalem to worship. He was reading from the Prophet Isaiah and seeking to understand what it meant. As a eunuch, he would not have been accepted by the Jews, but God saw his heart and sent Philip to share the gospel with him:
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him (v. 35).
Philip started where this Ethiopian man was reading and explained how it all pointed to Jesus.
Jesus Christ and God’s salvation through Him is the ultimate theme of both the Old and the New Testaments. It’s one continuing story—His-story.
The Importance of Believer’s Baptism
When his eyes were opened to the gospel, the man immediately asked to be baptized. Baptism was a public declaration of a commitment to follow Christ. This was no small thing. In fact, at this time in history, it was often dangerous to profess faith in Jesus.
36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
Notice Philip said, “if you believe.” This was what is called “believer’s baptism.”
One of the First Steps of Obedience
If you have not been baptized since you came to saving faith in Christ, I would encourage you to take that step of obedience. While baptism doesn’t save us (Eph. 2.8-9), we are commanded to be baptized once we have come to saving faith (Acts 2.38).
Infant baptism is not the same. When a baby is baptized, it’s a decision his or her parents make. We are not saved by being born into a Christian family or baptized as an infant. Each of us must come to that point of decision for ourselves. As I said, believer’s baptism is a public declaration of our personal decision to put our faith and trust in the gospel and should be one of our first steps of obedience.
Also notice, when Philip and the eunuch came up out of the water, the Spirit of God “caught Philip away.” God could have just as easily made him miraculously appear as disappear. God is well able to reveal Himself to anyone anywhere and at any time, including someone in a non-Christian nation.
Today’s Other Readings:
1 Chronicles 19 & 20:
Confidence at His Coming
If you read through today’s passage, even though this is a retelling of Israel’s history, you might notice that God omitted any mention of David’s sin with Bathsheba. Instead, these passages focus on God’s redemptive work and His covenant with David.
It’s much like what will happen to us when our redemption is fully realized and we stand before Him at the judgment seat of Christ. Whatever we have done will be tried by fire and those things we did for Christ with a pure heart will be purified like gold, silver, and precious stones and that which was worthless will be burned up like wood, hay, and stubble (1 Cor. 3.12-15).
If we have embraced the gospel and belong to Him, we can be confident and look forward to His coming without fear (1 Jn. 2.28).
That doesn’t mean that we should see it as an excuse to live any way we please (Rom. 6.1-2). If we have been born again by the Spirit of God, we should have new desires. It’s not that we can’t or won’t sin, but we should be convicted when we do. If you have some area where you are harboring unconfessed and unforsaken sin, go to God in repentance, and seek His help to go His way.
Psalm 78.26-33:
More than Hunger
Even though God supernaturally fed the Israelites manna in the wilderness, the people refused to be satisfied with the provision of God and cried out for meat. And God gave them what they wanted.
They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, the wrath of God came upon them (vv. 30-31a).
This was not just natural hunger, this was lust (an inordinate craving), and God gave them over to it.
We, also, see this in Romans 1:
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; …
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened …
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, … 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections … 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over …
When men and women are intent on going their own way and having that which they lust after, they can come to a point where God gives them over to their own lusts and the natural consequences of pursuing them.
Proverbs 19.27-29:
Life & Peace
Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge (v. 27).
This verse reminds us of the importance of staying in the Word—that is daily Bible reading and meditation. It doesn’t mean we should have a legalistic attitude, fearing God’s displeasure if we miss a day. But it’s a reminder that “the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8.6 NASB).
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about the importance of godly friends, Christians and alcohol, and about the foolishness of arguing.
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Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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