Good day dear friends.
Let us continue to study the meaning of baptism.
Check out Acts 2:36-38. We see here how the early church came to be joined together in the Body of Christ; they responded to the Good News that Jesus is Lord and the Christ. They responded by repenting of their sins and being baptized. The gift of the Holy Spirit is promised to all believers. How do you experience the Holy Spirit? Be attentive today for the move of the Holy Spirit around you and in you.
Here is that text: Acts 2:36 Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" 38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
There is no greater Easter gift you can give than the gift of faith to a nonbeliever. And the easiest way is to invite that person to come to one of our Holy Week services and especially our Easter Sunday services. We see in the above passage, the concluding part of that first Christian sermon preached by the apostle Peter. As he proclaimed Jesus, the Holy Spirit was touching lives and hearts and the people who heard it could not help but respond, "Brothers, what should we do?" There is that excitement and urgency in their response. They heard the truth and they knew it. They knew they were not right with God and needed to do something about it. (And this in the midst of a religious celebration, the giving of the Law to Moses by God - Pentecost). Peter knew what they needed to do: First, repent, which means turn away from your sins, and then make a faith commitment to be baptized so that this act of repentance is complete as your sins will be washed away, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Quite a deal!
I just finished teaching the class on the Trinity and it's interesting to study that throughout the ages, the major controversies have been on Jesus and his Sonship. It's taken several councils to finalize orthodox language on Jesus because most in ages past and even today, seek a rational explanation to Jesus and his humanity and divinity. Yet, very little controversy on the third person of the Godhead and that is Holy Spirit. People ask, "Person?" Yes, the Holy Spirit is a person or being like God and Jesus, not a feeling like Toyota wants you to get; He is a real moving person in our midst doing all that scripture says He does. We don't speak often enough about what the Holy Spirit does or can do for us. He is an advocate, counselor, guide, intercessor, prayer interpreter, God's presence on the earth. The Holy Spirit is God's gift to us right now. The Holy Spirit empowers us for holy living and His presence during our Lenten journey is exactly what we need.
PRAYER: Come Holy Spirit and touch my life. Let me be aware of what You offer and let me take advantage of it. Bring me to faithfulness. I pray in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
