Tuesday December 15th, 2020
Memorize: Galatians 3:26-27
« Because you were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This shows that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. »
Read: Acts 8:36-40
As Philip and the Ethiopian traveled along the desert road in a chariot, Philip explained the whole message of Jesus to him, starting with God’s promise to send us a Savior. Then Philip told him that God had fulfilled this promise by sending Jesus to die in our place. He also told him how Jesus had risen again and commanded His followers to make disciples and baptize them.
As they traveled, they came to a place where there was water. The Ethiopian said to Philip, “Here is water! What is keeping me from being baptized right here?”
The Ethiopian official ordered the chariot to stop. Then he and Philip went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away, and the Ethiopian went on his way with great joy.
Why do people get baptized?
The Ethiopian wanted to be baptized because he believed in Jesus. Philip had told him the Good News of Jesus; about becoming a disciple, being baptized and about learning all that Jesus commanded (see Matthew 28:19-20).
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. It shows that the person’s life of sin has died (and been buried) and a new life has risen with Jesus. “…When you were baptized, you were buried with Christ and you were raised up with Christ because of your faith in God’s power. That power was shown when he raised Christ from death.” (Colossians 2:12).
Baptism is a command.
Jesus instructed His disciples to make new disciples (followers of Jesus) and to baptize them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Study questions
1 – In your own words, explain in detail today’s memory verse.
2 – In your own words, explain in detail the following sentence: “Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change”.
3 – Why is it extremely important for all Christians to be baptized?
Author: Dave Strehler
Text edited by Naomie
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