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Magnify Baptism (Acts 2)

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MOTIVATE

Private is different from Personal.

Private vs Personal finances

  • A person’s income is personal for how they spend
  • Yet, several items purchased are visible not private: jewelry, clothes, house, vehicle, certain trips, etc.

Private vs Personal love

  • Married love is personal & exclusive (SOS / Genesis 2)
  • Private love: never go out to eat or recognize one another in public

Private = no one knows.   

Personal = mind your own business 🙂


But for the Christian, their personal relationship with Jesus is never private, but is personal with an invitation for others to invade your business.

Last week: Ps34:3 “proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me, let us magnify the LORD together”

Today: Magnify Baptism

EXAMINE                       Magnify Baptism

PCS: Military members receive Personal Change Station – the process of one receiving orders from their commanding officer for where they will be sent and what is their mission focus.

Baptism is required.

Jesus gave PCS before ascending to Heaven.

Matthew 28:19-20 “As you go, make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

  •  Scribes counted 613 commandments in OT.
  •  Jesus affirmed & fulfilled each one AND gave dozens of added commands BUT summarized them all into two: Love God & Others.
  •  Jesus’ final command comes with full authority saying: make disciples by baptizing & teaching.
  •  Jesus gives the church 2 ordinances: baptism (symbolic of your entry into faith community) AND communion (symbolic of sustaining you in faith community). Neglecting either ordinance is bold disobedience.

So, if an authority gives a command – it shouldn’t be ignored or dismissed. AGAIN Jesus has full authority – so a God who has the power of physical death and eternal destiny should never be relegated to lukewarm/halfhearted acceptance. Jesus deserves and demands full fervency, passionate devotion, and wholehearted radical obedience.

  • Baptism is not optional but obedience.
  • Βαπτίζω = “dip or immerse.” In classical Greek, the word is used, to describe the sinking of a ship that is, therefore, enveloped in water.[1]

Baptism is repentance.

Matthew 3 5 “In Jerusalem and Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to John and were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins… 8 John declared, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say, “We have Abraham as our father…” 11 “I baptize with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

  • Baptism is not just a religious ritual but evidence a humble relationship with the holy God.
  • Baptism is open to anyone willing to recognize their need – – not for those who conceal their sin or hide their weaknesses……
  •  …Thus baptism should not be for infants but those informed. Infant baptism is incomplete with an indication of a parent’s faith not the person’s. There are no examples of infant baptism in Scripture – in fact – quite the opposite, most specifically the Lord Jesus baptized as an adult.  

Baptism is recognition of Jesus.

Acts 2 “14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

This sermon was very important. Peter raises his voice and calls attention to Jesus…

22“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him… 36 Therefore, let all know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you both crucified both Lord and Messiah.

NOTICE KEY PHRASES:

Jesus of Nazareth (2:22)

All of Scripture Genesis to Revelation points to Jesus.[2] History is marked by the entry of Jesus of Nazareth and there is no denying his existence.

Churches must keep Jesus as the focus. It’s like a band with one song, a library with one book or television station with one show. Jesus is everything to believers. And the world knows this, which is why they react so provocatively towards even the mention of his name.

Was a man (2:22)

This fact is often overlooked by religious teachers. Jesus is elevated high, and rightly so, but sometimes at the oversight of his humanity. The significance of Jesus taking on flesh is that he can identify with us in every way and becoming our sacrifice on the cross.

John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

Hebrews 4:15-16 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have the one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”

was a man accredited by God (2:22)

Likewise, as Jesus was a man he was also divine. He pointed people to God through his life, His teaching, and His miracles. The problem was that the crowds wanted him to continue the supernatural magic show while Jesus wanted them to see the source of signs, pointing beyond itself to God (food – Jesus as bread of life; blind – Jesus as light of world; dead – Jesus as resurrection, etc.)… the greatest and unique of signs from any other religion!

Delivered to death (2:23)

Peter and the apostle’s message hinged on the death and resurrection of Jesus.[3] Peter made this even more personal in linking Jesus’ death to God’s purposes and man’s actions. Notice, there is always a blend of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Jesus was murdered because of lawless men shouting, “Crucify him!”

Crucifixion was reserved for the severest of criminals. Christ was crucified to portray the heinous gravity of our sin. And it was God’s will to sacrifice His sinless Son to save sinners (cf. Isa 53).

Raised to life and exalted LORD (2:24, 32-36)

The supernatural power of Jesus did not end in enduring the cross. Instead, it was extended to His power to resurrect. It was not possible for death to hold Jesus. The grave would not be his final address, nor does it have to be yours. Christ’s resurrection makes it possible for your resurrection. We can have confidence in this life knowing that there is more… “death has been swallowed up in victory. Where O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting…But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”
1 Corinthians 15:54, 57

APPLY/TAKEAWAY

Baptism is required. Baptism is repentance. Baptism is recognition of Jesus.

Baptism w/ belief is our response to Jesus.

After Peter’s preaching about Jesus, the people were compelled to respond.

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “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. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

After the sermon, they were cut to the heart.

The word κατενύγησαν means sharp pain, or in this case a severely troubled mind/heart. The verb covers a range of emotions in the OT: anger [over what happened], sorrow [wanting to undo circumstances], humility [seeking mercy and grace].[4] An ancient writer used this word to depict horses stomping ground with their hooves; indicating repeated heavy agitation.[5] Other translations say: “pierced to the heart” (NASB), “convicted deeply” (NLT),  “acutely distressed” (NET).

3 items to know:

  1. The one who is preaching – Peter – had the same experience. Peter was cut to the heart when he denied Jesus 3x. Jesus predicted Peter would disassociate from him, but Peter thought he never would. Yet, it happened. Jesus knows our heart better than we know ourselves. But the good news is that Peter’s anger/sorrow was redirected into something positive. Peter didn’t stay stuck at the bottom; he allowed Jesus to pull him out of the miry bog and set his feet upon a rock, making his steps secure; and putting a new song in his mouth – instead of rejection is now rejoicing – and many others will hear and put their trust in the LORD (Ps 40:2-3).
  2. The one who hears God’s word must respond. In other words, you listen to Scripture and receive its teaching with a soft heart. Instead of defending yourself or making excuses for your attitudes and actions, you are willing to do whatever it takes to reconcile with God, and/or others. You do not allow any delay or rationalization for continuing in any contrast with God’s word. You ask, “What shall we do?”

In this case, Peter says: Repent and be baptized. Baptism is not the means of our salvation – it’s just water. Yet, baptism is evidence that Jesus has saved you. As the hymn writer says: “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

The pattern in Acts is people responding to this good news:

  1. Ac 2:38, 41 three thousand baptized immediately responding to gospel preaching.
  2. Ac 8:12-13 many Samaritans heard the good news of Jesus and believed, and were immediately baptized.
  3. Ac 8:36-38 Ethiopian eunuch heard the good news of Jesus by Philip, and asked: “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 
  4. Ac 9:18 Paul encountered Jesus, and upon meeting another disciple (Ananias), he was baptized.
  5. Act 10:34-46 Cornelius and his household, a Gentile & Centurion, heard gospel of Jesus from Peter. Peter asked, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
  6. Ac 16:14-15 Lydia and her household heard the gospel of Jesus from Paul, and they were baptized.
  7. Ac 16:31-34 A Philippian jailer and his family heard the gospel from Paul & Silas, and they were baptized.
  8. Ac 18:8 A synagogue ruler named Crispus with his household and many Corinthians were baptized after hearing and believing the gospel of Jesus from Paul.  
  9. Ac 19:1-7 Disciples of John the Baptizer heard the gospel of Jesus from Paul and believed and were baptized.

3. And notice the benefits:

“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. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off.

  • Forgiveness. Christians are not better than anyone. We’re just forgiven. God’s forgiveness is available to anyone but is only applied to those who repent and believe in Christ (1Jn 1:8-9).
  • Future. Christians not only have a future home in heaven but a meaningful purpose in the present that impacts future generations on earth. If we follow God’s way and pass the faith to future generations, God’s promises are faithful to include households and families far into the future.

What holds you back from believing and being baptized?

Today, offer yourself to the LORD.


Take my life, and let it be,
Consecrated Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my will and make it Thine
It shall no longer be mine
Take my heart, it is Thine own
It shall be Thy royal throne

– Frances Havergal

[1] Paige Patterson, “Baptism,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ed. Chad Brand et al. (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 168.

[2] To see Jesus as central teaching message see Acts 2:38, 3:6, 13:39, 16:18, 27:21.

[3] Acts 2:22-24, 3:15, 4:2, 4:10, 5:30, 10:39-43, 13:27-31.

[4] Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007), 141.

[5] John B. Polhill, Acts, vol. 26, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 116.

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