Baptism and the Universal Call of the Gospel

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of baptism and the expansive reach of the gospel. Baptism is a public declaration of faith, symbolizing a believer's identification with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not a means of salvation but a testimony of a transformation that has already occurred through faith. This act is akin to a trophy, signifying victory already achieved, or an obituary and birth announcement, marking the end of an old life and the beginning of a new one in Christ.

We also delved into the story of Peter's vision in Acts 10, where God revealed to him that the gospel is for all people, not just the Jews. This vision challenged Peter's understanding of Old Testament purity laws, which distinguished between clean and unclean foods, lands, and people. Through this revelation, Peter realized that God does not show favoritism and that all people, regardless of their background, are invited to partake in the promise of the gospel. This was a pivotal moment in the early church, marking the inclusion of Gentiles into the body of Christ.

The story of Cornelius, a God-fearing Gentile, further illustrates this truth. His prayers were heard by God, and Peter was sent to share the gospel with him, leading to his conversion and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This event underscores the universal nature of the gospel and the call for believers to share it with all nations.

As we reflect on these truths, we are reminded of our role in God's mission. We are called to be witnesses, sharing the hope of the gospel with those around us and supporting the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth. Let us be open to the new things God is doing among us and be quick to praise Him for His work in our lives and the lives of others.

Key Takeaways:

- Baptism is a public declaration of faith, symbolizing a believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection. It is not a means of salvation but a testimony of a transformation that has already occurred through faith. [30:51]

- The vision given to Peter in Acts 10 reveals that the gospel is for all people, not just the Jews. This challenges our understanding of who is included in God's family and calls us to embrace the diversity of the body of Christ. [01:05:56]

- Cornelius' story illustrates that God hears the prayers of those seeking Him and orchestrates events to bring them to salvation. This reminds us of the importance of being open to God's leading and sharing the gospel with those around us. [01:12:25]

- The gospel unites people from all backgrounds into one body, the church. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world of God's love and grace, and it calls us to live in harmony with one another. [01:16:06]

- We are called to be witnesses, sharing the hope of the gospel with those around us and supporting the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth. Let us be open to the new things God is doing among us and be quick to praise Him for His work in our lives and the lives of others. [01:24:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:00] - Introduction and Announcements
- [00:05:00] - Understanding Baptism
- [00:10:00] - Baptism as a Public Declaration
- [00:15:00] - The Significance of Baptism
- [00:20:00] - Peter's Vision and Its Implications
- [00:25:00] - The Inclusion of Gentiles
- [00:30:00] - Cornelius' Story
- [00:35:00] - The Universal Nature of the Gospel
- [00:40:00] - Our Role in God's Mission
- [00:45:00] - Embracing Diversity in the Church
- [00:50:00] - Being Open to God's Leading
- [00:55:00] - Conclusion and Prayer
- [01:00:00] - Benediction and Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 10:9-16
2. Acts 10:34-48
3. Romans 6:3-4

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the significance of Peter's vision in Acts 10, and how did it challenge his understanding of Old Testament purity laws? [01:05:56]

2. How does the story of Cornelius in Acts 10 illustrate the universal nature of the gospel? [01:12:25]

3. According to Romans 6:3-4, what does baptism symbolize in the life of a believer?

4. In Acts 10:44-48, what was the reaction of the Jewish Christians when the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles, and what does this signify? [01:16:06]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How did Peter's vision and subsequent actions in Acts 10 redefine the boundaries of who could be included in God's family? [01:12:25]

2. What does the story of Cornelius teach us about God's responsiveness to those who seek Him, even if they are outside the traditional boundaries of faith? [01:27:30]

3. In Romans 6:3-4, Paul describes baptism as a union with Christ's death and resurrection. How does this understanding of baptism affect the way believers view their new life in Christ?

4. How does the inclusion of Gentiles in Acts 10 challenge the early church's understanding of unity and diversity within the body of Christ? [01:16:06]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own baptism or the concept of baptism. How does understanding it as a public declaration of faith and a symbol of transformation impact your daily walk with Christ? [30:51]

2. Peter's vision in Acts 10 challenged his preconceived notions. Are there any areas in your life where God might be challenging your understanding or beliefs? How can you remain open to His leading? [01:05:56]

3. Cornelius' story shows that God hears the prayers of those earnestly seeking Him. Is there someone in your life who is seeking God? How can you be a part of their journey towards faith? [01:12:25]

4. The gospel unites people from all backgrounds. How can you actively embrace and celebrate diversity within your church community? [01:16:06]

5. Consider the call to be witnesses and share the gospel. What practical steps can you take this week to share the hope of the gospel with someone in your life? [01:24:24]

6. Reflect on a time when you were perplexed by something God was doing in your life. How did that situation lead you to a deeper understanding or praise? [01:24:24]

7. How can you support the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth, either through prayer, financial support, or personal involvement in missions? [01:33:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Baptism as a Symbol of Transformation
Baptism is a profound act of faith, serving as a public declaration of a believer's identification with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not a means of salvation but a testimony of a transformation that has already occurred through faith. This act is akin to a trophy, signifying victory already achieved, or an obituary and birth announcement, marking the end of an old life and the beginning of a new one in Christ. Baptism is a powerful symbol that reflects the inner change and commitment to follow Jesus, celebrating the new life that believers have received through Him. [30:51]

Romans 6:3-4 (ESV): "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: Consider your own baptism or the concept of baptism. How does it remind you of the transformation that has taken place in your life through faith in Christ?


Day 2: The Gospel's Universal Reach
The vision given to Peter in Acts 10 reveals that the gospel is for all people, not just the Jews. This challenges our understanding of who is included in God's family and calls us to embrace the diversity of the body of Christ. Peter's vision challenged his understanding of Old Testament purity laws, which distinguished between clean and unclean foods, lands, and people. Through this revelation, Peter realized that God does not show favoritism and that all people, regardless of their background, are invited to partake in the promise of the gospel. This was a pivotal moment in the early church, marking the inclusion of Gentiles into the body of Christ. [01:05:56]

Acts 10:34-35 (ESV): "So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'"

Reflection: Reflect on your own perceptions of who is included in God's family. How can you actively embrace and celebrate the diversity within the body of Christ today?


Day 3: God Hears and Responds to Seekers
Cornelius' story illustrates that God hears the prayers of those seeking Him and orchestrates events to bring them to salvation. Cornelius, a God-fearing Gentile, had his prayers heard by God, and Peter was sent to share the gospel with him, leading to his conversion and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This event underscores the universal nature of the gospel and the call for believers to share it with all nations. It reminds us of the importance of being open to God's leading and sharing the gospel with those around us. [01:12:25]

Acts 10:30-31 (ESV): "And Cornelius said, 'Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.’"

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may be seeking God. How can you be open to God's leading in sharing the gospel with them today?


Day 4: Unity in Diversity
The gospel unites people from all backgrounds into one body, the church. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world of God's love and grace, and it calls us to live in harmony with one another. The story of Peter and Cornelius highlights the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles, showing that the gospel is for everyone. This unity in diversity is a reflection of God's kingdom and serves as a witness to the world of His inclusive love. [01:16:06]

Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."

Reflection: How can you contribute to unity within your church community, embracing and celebrating the diversity of its members?


Day 5: Our Role in God's Mission
We are called to be witnesses, sharing the hope of the gospel with those around us and supporting the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth. As believers, we have a role in God's mission, being open to the new things He is doing among us and quick to praise Him for His work in our lives and the lives of others. This calling challenges us to actively participate in God's mission, being attentive to His leading and ready to share the hope we have in Christ with others. [01:24:24]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and 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 all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can participate in God's mission today, either by sharing the gospel or supporting its spread globally?

Quotes


Baptism is a meaningful picture of an unseen spiritual reality that's already taken place in a person by faith—a death and a new birth. Paul writes in Romans 6, "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. [00:23:47]

Peter knew that the gospel was going to be preached, even to non-Jews, right? This isn't what perplexed Peter. This was part of the plan. Peter knew the gospel was going to go to the Gentiles and to the ends of the earth. Jesus told them this. At the end of Luke's gospel, chapter 24, verse 47, Jesus says, "And that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem." [01:03:50]

God has showed me that I should no longer call any person unclean. That's why I'm here. God has taught me this really cool thing. And that's why I'm here. I really hope you can see this. This is not just about Gentiles responding to the gospel. It's about the access and the proximity that Gentiles are invited now to draw near to God. [01:13:46]

The new covenant temple is the people of God, the church, and they're being built into the spiritual house for the Lord, as Peter says in his epistle. This is the same lesson that Paul learned when he explained to the church in Ephesus in Ephesians three, verse two to six. Look at this. He writes to them, assuming that you've heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known. [01:15:35]

This is astounding to Peter. So the lesson is not that the gospel is for Jews and Gentiles, that they can both be saved and each have their own churches. The gospel is for Jews and Gentiles and their one church on equal footing with each other, fellow heirs, members of the same body, partakers of the promise in Jesus Christ through the gospel. [01:17:18]

We've been given such a treasure in the gospel that we'd be doing it a disservice if we don't share with everyone far and wide. Every person. Rich or poor, educated, uneducated, family-focused, broken families. Let us not just think about Fish Hill either. Let us think about how we can play a key role in spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth from here even. [01:21:28]

Think about new people coming to saving faith in the Lord Jesus. That's a new thing. We should celebrate that. It should be a cause for joy and praise. New people like Charlene deciding to follow the Lord in baptism and become baptized. Seeing God work some new growth in your own life as a Christian. Maybe you were convicted by something and realized, wow, I need to change this area of my life. [01:24:24]

Might you be God's answer to someone's prayer today who is seeking him like Cornelius. They just need someone to share the gospel with them. It could be someone in your neighborhood who doesn't know a Christian. It could be someone at your work, someone in your school, someone on your soccer team? Is there someone who is seeking after God like Cornelius that just doesn't have anyone in their life to share the gospel with them? [01:31:15]

They don't know any Christians. There's little to no access to the gospel. Who's gonna tell them? We know that from this text, there will be people in every nation that will seek God like Cornelius. Might you be the answer to their prayer? Might God be putting it on your heart to go somewhere strange? You're not sure why. Perplexing. It's confusing. Why would God ask me to do that? [01:32:09]

Father, we thank you for our missionaries this morning that we support so faithfully. God, we pray for them right now that you would work through them who have answered the call to go to strange places and tell people about the gospel. Equip our missionaries, strengthen them, encourage them. May we be faithful day in and day out on our prayer sheets to lift them up before you in prayer. [01:34:35]

Move in us, Holy Spirit, to that end, that there will be people from every tribe, tongue, and nation around your throne giving you great praise. We pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen. Stand and sing. God's salvation through the sun Amen Amen Let me tell you, if you're here today And you want to know more about trusting Jesus Christ as your savior Come and talk with someone After the service. [01:34:45]

May the God of hope Fill you with all joy And peace And believing So that by the power of the Holy Spirit You may abound in hope Amen Go in peace Yes еf You You You You. [01:41:08]

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Transcript
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