The 15th day of a 30 day devotional Bible Study by the Rev. Tracy A. Siegman, Senior Pastor FCC, Covington, KY. Shared with her gracious permission.
If you read the suggested passage each day, by the end of 30 days you will have read the entire New Testament.
Day 15
30-day reading plan: Acts 8 – 14
Daily Verse: Acts 11: 16
Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
30-day reading plan: Acts 8 – 14
Daily Verse: Acts 11: 16
Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
One of the most important moments in a believer's life is baptism. In the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), we practice baptism by immersion. We call it believer's baptism, indicating that the person being
baptized is a believer.
Baptism was more than a rite of passage in the early church; it was a sacred ritual and remains an important ritual of the church today. Jesus told His Disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the model of the early church, a new believer is baptized and receives the Holy Spirit. Baptism is an act of faith following one's confessing faith in Jesus Christ. Philip, Paul, and Cornelius' household were all baptized immediately after believing.
The way in which we baptize is foundational to the beliefs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In the act of baptism by immersion, the person participates in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus as they are immersed in and brought out of the water. Upon rising from the waters, the believer receives the Holy Spirit bestowed with new life and spiritual gifts.
Youth of the church participate in a class to prepare for baptism learning what it means to be a Christian and to claim faith for him or herself. At the culmination, each participant makes an informed decision to make a confession of faith and be baptized. In the waters of baptism, I ask, "Do you believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God?" As soon as s/he says, "Yes", s/he is immersed in the baptismal waters. The act of confessing faith and receiving baptism is the beginning of a life long journey of faith.
Baptism was more than a rite of passage in the early church; it was a sacred ritual and remains an important ritual of the church today. Jesus told His Disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the model of the early church, a new believer is baptized and receives the Holy Spirit. Baptism is an act of faith following one's confessing faith in Jesus Christ. Philip, Paul, and Cornelius' household were all baptized immediately after believing.
The way in which we baptize is foundational to the beliefs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In the act of baptism by immersion, the person participates in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus as they are immersed in and brought out of the water. Upon rising from the waters, the believer receives the Holy Spirit bestowed with new life and spiritual gifts.
Youth of the church participate in a class to prepare for baptism learning what it means to be a Christian and to claim faith for him or herself. At the culmination, each participant makes an informed decision to make a confession of faith and be baptized. In the waters of baptism, I ask, "Do you believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God?" As soon as s/he says, "Yes", s/he is immersed in the baptismal waters. The act of confessing faith and receiving baptism is the beginning of a life long journey of faith.
Question for reflection:
What do you remember or have been told about your baptism?
What do you remember or have been told about your baptism?
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