BAPTISM FOR EVERYONE SAVED 

Jenna Worsham 

Today’s Scripture: “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized 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.’” Acts 2:38, ESV 

Theme: Baptism is a public picture of what God has already done in you. 

SCHOOL PICTURES FOR EVERYONE 

Do you remember taking Senior photos the fall before you graduated High School? I thought it was a big deal at the time. We brought multiple outfits. There were cap and gown photos. It wasn’t a regular school picture day. For grades K-11, everyone stands in line for one or two quick snaps. If you made a weird face or played too hard and got sweaty at recess, you had to show up a second time for picture re-takes. Senior photos follow a different process. 

Last week, we had a long appointment for senior photos for our oldest child. Seeing her take photos that show her personality, for the yearbook and in cap and gown, I’m already starting to tear up. Senior year traditions and celebrations are a public picture of what our kids have been working on for years now, completing primary and secondary education. The photos don’t make completion happen. They don’t show all the effort or time invested. Yet that graduation announcement is the indicator that, “Hey, this kid, she has finished school and she’s practically grown up.”  

EVERY ONE OF YOU 

You don’t have to take senior photos to graduate High School. You don’t have to be featured in the yearbook or send out announcements. You will still get a diploma if you don’t “walk” or participate in the festivities. You’ll still have finished grades K-12. Yet most graduates celebrate and publicize their membership in the group called graduates. Peter, says in today’s Scripture: “Repent and be baptized every one of you.” Baptism is not set aside for an elite group. It is for the entire community. Baptism is a public picture of the death, resurrection, and new life that has already happened inside each believer. Baptism is a public display of salvation.  

AND YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT 

Baptism might seem to be something we do FOR God rather than something provided by God FOR us. Yet when we are obedient to allow God to work in the water through baptism, He provides. The gift He has given us is the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. I’m not saying that before we are baptized, we can’t receive any gifts. What I am saying is that when we obey in this way, we are often surprised by the gifts we receive. My husband was baptized a second time in his 30’s because his first baptism was not by immersion. He struggled for a long time about whether he needed to be baptized again. Finally, he decided that God was asking for obedience, not deliberation. He agonized for months, discussing and worrying. Eventually the day to be baptized came. When he emerged from the water, he no longer wondered whether it was the right choice. A burden was lifted. He was unburdened, released, and brand new.  

Make It Personal: Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If yes, have you taken the next step to be baptized? If you haven’t ever been baptized but you know you are saved, baptism is the next right step. If you have already been baptized, what do you remember about that experience and how was it special to you? Do you have any way of commemorating that event in your life?  

Pray: Dear God, Thank You for the gift of salvation and baptism. Help me to take the next right step in obedience to You. Help me to be a light to others as I represent You with my life. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me to recognize the blessings You provide each day and to share them with those around me. In Jesus’ Name, amen. 

Read: Acts 2:37-41; Romans 6:4, 12-14 

Weekly Memory Verse: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19, ESV