PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 19:1-7
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:5)
Paul asks what kind of baptism these believers received.
Theirs was a baptism of repentance, not a baptism of faith in Jesus.
The issue was not the baptism itself, but what the baptism was into.
Like a bath, washing in molasses is very different from washing in water.
Both are washing… but what are they into, and what do they result in?
Repentance is something we do, but Jesus is someone we receive.
Our relationship with God is a covenant, a two way partnership.
The full meaning of baptism is God’s acts of grace, not our acts of repentance.
It begins with God’s free gift (Jesus, grace), to which we respond by faith.
That faith will include repentance, but repentance is not the first or main thing.
Receiving Jesus and receiving the Spirit are the same thing; they change us!
The Spirit of Jesus makes his presence known, changing us by God’s power.
It is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of self-effort, that we look for.
Is your relationship rooted in Jesus, or in your own effort and commitment?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to look for signs of your Spirit leading, prompting, challenging and encouraging me, and help me to respond by keeping in step with your Spirit.
These men were already convicted – dedicated to live a life right with God – repenting of sin. Now when Paul asks them about receiving the HS – they say no – so Paul lays his hands on them and they receive the HS – they are now empowered. We too, I too, need the HS – not only to grow in my own faith, but to witness, to share, to testify of Jesus love to others – that the too may be introduced to Jesus – and receive the HS so that they too might grow and share the good news of salvation!
Growing in the faith.
Coming to Jesus involves repentance. But better yet is the gift of the Spirit. The Spirit continues His work in us as we continue to grow in living for Jesus. He continues to lead and guide in the way to go. He enables. In my own power I am helpless but by His power I become an instrument of His peace in my living for Jesus by my words and deeds.
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today