Empowered by the Spirit: Boldness Through Baptism

Devotional

Day 1: Waiting with Expectation for the Promise of the Holy Spirit

The early believers waited together in unity and expectation, trusting the promise of Jesus even when they didn’t know exactly what would happen or how long it would take. Their willingness to wait, pray, and remain together without distraction created the environment for God’s Spirit to move powerfully among them. In a world that values speed and instant results, God often calls His people to wait in faith, knowing that the One who promised is faithful and that His timing is perfect. When we wait on God, we are not wasting time; we are preparing our hearts for His presence and power. [06:43]

Acts 1:4-5 (ESV)
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense God asking you to wait on Him with expectation, rather than rushing ahead or giving up? How can you create space today to wait and listen for His voice?

Day 2: The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, it was not just a moment of emotional excitement but a supernatural encounter that transformed ordinary people into bold witnesses for Jesus. The Spirit filled every person in the room, regardless of their background or status, and empowered them to speak and act with courage. This same Spirit is available to all believers today, bringing unity, boldness, and the power to live out God’s mission. The church is not built on programs or buildings, but on the living presence and power of the Holy Spirit working through surrendered hearts. [08:26]

Acts 2:2-4 (ESV)
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need the boldness and power of the Holy Spirit today? Are you willing to ask God to fill you afresh and use you for His purposes?

Day 3: Jesus’ Baptism: Modeling Obedience and Identity

Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan was not about ritual cleansing but about fulfilling righteousness, identifying with humanity, and modeling obedience for all who would follow Him. In that moment, the Trinity was revealed in perfect unity, and the Father’s voice declared love and approval over the Son. This same affirmation is spoken over every believer who steps out in faith and obedience. Jesus leads by example, showing that baptism is not just a religious act but a declaration of identity and surrender to God’s will. [11:26]

Matthew 3:13-17 (ESV)
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Reflection: What step of obedience is God asking you to take today, even if it doesn’t fully make sense to you? How does knowing you are God’s beloved child give you courage to follow?

Day 4: Baptism: Dying to the Old, Rising to New Life

Baptism is a sacred picture of dying to our old selves and being raised to new life with Christ. It is not just a symbolic act but a spiritual reality where our past is buried, and we rise with a new identity in Jesus. Through baptism, we publicly declare our faith and participate in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. This is not about perfection but about surrender—leaving behind shame, sin, and brokenness, and embracing the new life God offers. The water still works, and every time someone is baptized, it marks a fresh start and a powerful testimony of God’s grace. [15:22]

Romans 6:4 (ESV)
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: Is there an area of your life or a part of your past that you need to surrender to Jesus today? What would it look like to truly leave it behind and walk in the newness He offers?

Day 5: Bold Obedience Leads to Revival and Public Faith

When the Spirit of God moves, bold obedience follows—just as Peter, once fearful, stood up and called people to repentance and baptism, resulting in thousands responding in faith. Baptism is where private faith becomes a public declaration, and God uses these moments to spark revival and transformation, both personally and in the community. The invitation is for everyone: to take the next step, to go all in, and to let God’s power turn old routines into new beginnings. Your act of obedience could be the catalyst for breakthrough in your life and in the lives of others. [22:32]

Acts 2:38, 41 (ESV)
And Peter said to them, “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.” ... So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Reflection: What is your next step of bold obedience in your faith journey? Who might be encouraged or impacted if you publicly declare your faith or take a step God is prompting you toward today?

Sermon Summary

On this Pentecost Sunday, we remember that before the church had buildings, programs, or even a pulpit, it had the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. The early church was marked not by ritual or routine, but by a supernatural boldness and unity that came from waiting on God’s promise. The 120 believers in the upper room didn’t know exactly what to expect, but they trusted the One who made the promise. Their willingness to wait, pray, and remain unified created the environment for the Spirit to move in power, birthing the church and launching a global mission that continues to this day.

Jesus himself modeled the importance of baptism—not as a religious ritual, but as an act of obedience and identification with humanity. When Jesus stepped into the Jordan River, he wasn’t seeking cleansing, but fulfilling righteousness and setting an example for us to follow. In that moment, the Trinity was revealed in perfect unity: the Son in the water, the Spirit descending, and the Father declaring love and approval. That same voice still speaks over us today, calling us beloved children.

Baptism is more than a symbolic act; it is a sacred picture of death, burial, and resurrection. It marks the moment when we publicly declare our faith, burying our old identity and rising to new life in Christ. The water itself doesn’t save us—salvation comes by grace through faith—but baptism is where our private faith becomes a public declaration. It’s a visible sign of invisible grace, a moment when we say, “I’m all in.”

The story of Pentecost reminds us that when the Spirit moves, hearts are stirred to bold obedience. The same Peter who once denied Jesus stood up, filled with the Holy Spirit, and called people to repent and be baptized. Three thousand responded, moving from ritual to revival, from tradition to transformation. The pools once used for religious cleansing became places of redemptive encounter.

Today, the invitation remains: to take the next step, whether it’s salvation, rededication, or water baptism. The water still works. The same Spirit that moved in the upper room is moving now, calling us to lay down our past, step into new life, and declare to the world that we belong to Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. Waiting on God’s Promise Requires Trust, Not Just Understanding The early believers didn’t know what the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise would look like, but they trusted the One who made it. In a culture obsessed with instant results, true faith is found in waiting with expectation, knowing that God’s timing and ways are perfect. Our confidence is not in the details, but in the character of the Promise Keeper. [04:55]
2. Baptism Is an Act of Obedience and Identification, Not Just Ritual Jesus’ baptism was not about cleansing from sin, but about fulfilling righteousness and identifying with us. He modeled humility and obedience, stepping into the water to show us the way. When we follow him in baptism, we are not just participating in a tradition, but aligning our lives with his example and declaring our identity as children of God. [11:26]
3. The Power of the Spirit Transforms Private Faith into Public Boldness The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the upper room turned a waiting, praying group into a bold, unified movement. The Spirit’s presence didn’t just fill a room; it filled people with courage to step out, speak up, and live out their faith publicly. When the Spirit moves, our faith is no longer hidden—it becomes a testimony that draws others to Jesus. [08:26]
4. God Redeems Old Traditions and Makes Them New The mikvahs, once used for ritual cleansing, became the very place where thousands experienced spiritual rebirth. God has a way of taking what was once routine or even empty tradition and infusing it with new meaning and power. When we surrender our past and our practices to him, he transforms them into instruments of grace and revival. [22:32]
5. Baptism Marks a New Beginning, Not Just a Finish Line Going under the water is not about perfection, but about surrender. It’s a visible sign that our old identity is buried and we rise with Christ to new life. Baptism is not the end of the journey, but the starting point of a life lived in the power and presence of God, free from the shame and bondage of the past. [28:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:42] - The Power of a Unified Church
[04:55] - Jesus’ Command to Wait for the Spirit
[06:43] - The Upper Room: Expectation and Unity
[08:26] - The Birth of the Church and the Holy Spirit’s Outpouring
[11:26] - The Significance of Jesus’ Baptism
[13:40] - The Trinity Revealed at the Jordan
[15:22] - The Meaning of Water Baptism
[18:43] - From Upper Room to the Streets: Boldness and Baptism
[20:55] - Peter’s Call: Repent and Be Baptized
[22:32] - Mikvahs: From Ritual to Revival
[24:50] - Personal Stories of Baptism
[26:46] - The Invitation to Take Your Next Step
[28:57] - Baptism as a New Beginning
[31:25] - Salvation and Rededication Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 6:4 (ESV) — > "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

Acts 2:1-4, 38-41 (ESV) — > 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
> ...
> 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.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Matthew 3:13-17 (ESV) — > 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Observation Questions

In Acts 2, what were the believers doing when the Holy Spirit came, and what happened as a result?
According to Romans 6:4, what does baptism symbolize for a believer?
When Jesus was baptized in Matthew 3, what three things happened that revealed the Trinity?
In Acts 2:38-41, what was Peter’s call to the crowd, and how did the people respond?

Interpretation Questions

The early believers waited in the upper room for ten days without knowing exactly what would happen. What does this say about the kind of trust God asks from us?
Why did Jesus, who was sinless, choose to be baptized? What does this teach us about obedience and identification with others?
The sermon says, “Baptism is not the end of the journey, but the starting point of a life lived in the power and presence of God.” How does this change the way we view baptism?
The pools (mikvahs) used for ritual cleansing became places of spiritual rebirth at Pentecost. What does this show about how God can use old traditions for new purposes?

Application Questions

The early church waited together in unity and expectation for God’s promise. Is there an area in your life where you need to wait on God’s timing instead of rushing ahead? What would it look like to trust God in that area this week?
Jesus modeled baptism as an act of obedience, not just a ritual. If you have already been baptized, how can you continue to walk in obedience in your daily life? If you haven’t, what is holding you back from taking that step?
The Spirit turned a group of waiting believers into a bold, unified movement. Is there a place in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in boldness or share your faith more publicly? What’s one practical step you can take this week?
The sermon says, “Baptism is where your private faith becomes your public declaration.” How public is your faith right now? Are there people in your life who don’t know you follow Jesus? What could you do to make your faith more visible?
God took the old tradition of the mikvah and made it new at Pentecost. Are there any routines or traditions in your life that have become empty or routine? How could you invite God to bring new meaning or purpose to them?
The invitation at the end of the sermon was to take the next step—whether salvation, rededication, or baptism. What is your next step in your walk with God? How can this group support you in taking it?
The sermon says, “Going under the water is not about perfection, but about surrender.” Is there something from your past or present that you need to surrender to God today? What would it look like to leave it behind and rise to new life?

Sermon Clips

And before they could rush out, heaven rushed in. And suddenly, wind, fire, and the power of God filled the room where they had been waiting with expectation.

Jesus, the sinless, spotless, sovereign son of God walked into the Jordan River and humbled himself, humbled himself under John the Baptist's hand... Jesus humbled himself and he did this because he wasn't there for cleansing. He was there to fulfill righteousness, to identify with our humanity and to model what it looked like for obedience for us.

Before the church ever had a pulpit, it had Pentecost. Before it had programs, it had power. Before there was structure, there was the Spirit of God. Before there was strategy, there was fire. The early church wasn't about buildings or even brands. It was marked with supernatural boldness. Belief and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. [00:01:20]

Religion looks like this, I messed up, my dad's going to kill me. Relationship looks like this, I messed up, I need to call my dad. [00:01:52]

The power that fell in that room, I said it a moment ago, didn't stay in that room. It spilled out into the streets and what was used to be religious ritual practices became a radical movement of redemption and revival. [00:02:42]

A unified church is a dangerous church to the enemy's camp. The enemy knows there's power because the local church is the heartbeat of God. [00:03:08]

Jesus said, hey, there's a gift coming and I need you to wait. And the problem is in humanity, I bet percentage wise, and I can't, I mean, this would be a made up statistic, but I bet the percentage is pretty high in modern day Christianity of how many people would actually wait. [00:05:56]

They didn't know exactly what would happen. They didn't even know exactly what to expect, but they knew who made the promise, and that was enough. That's a whole word for somebody. [00:07:18]

When the Lord gives direction, we don't have to worry about every detail. We just need the confidence in who, again, made the promise. The Holy Spirit confirms it, and that's enough. [00:07:54]

When a unified gathering became a supernatural movement and the fire of the Holy spirit didn't just touch the room. It transformed every single person in the room. [00:10:34]

This moment showed the trinity in perfect unity: the son in the water, the spirit descending and the father declaring love and approval and that same voice this is the really good news that same voice echoes over us today as his sons and daughters this is my child whom i love with them i am well pleased. [00:13:57]

We don't follow a savior who keeps his distance from our mess. That's good news. We follow a savior who stepped into the water and led by example. [00:14:26]

Because the one who would one day wash our souls clean first chose to lead by example, showing us that the next step after salvation would be our public profession of our faith through water baptism. [00:15:36]

When we follow through on this and we give our lives to him, then he shows up and he writes victory in our story. [00:16:25]

It's not just a moment. It's a spiritual resurrection into new life. Baptism is a sacred picture. It represents the death, the burial, and the resurrection. [00:17:01]

The pool symbolized tradition, but the waters filled with the power of God in that moment turned into transformation. The very steps that people used to see the presence of God in the temple, they actually were able to walk into the water and experience the grace and mercy of Jesus. It's redemption at its finest. God took something old and made it brand new. [00:23:17]

Baptism marks the moment you say, I'm his for life. Something shifted in me that day. The day I took my guitar off and I went and got water baptized, something shifted in my life. I felt the spirit of God fall on me. I felt the anointing of God get stronger because what was a symbolic moment when I was a kid became a supernatural moment, the older I have gotten. [00:28:08]

This moment says my past no longer defines me. My old identity has been buried. I belong to Jesus. You're not saved by the act of baptism. You're saved through grace and faith. But baptism again is where your faith goes public. Baptism is where your private faith becomes your public declaration. [00:29:14]

Baptism is a sacrament. It's a visible sign of invisible grace. When Paul said we were buried with him through baptism, he's tying our water baptism again to the death resurrection of our Jesus. Baptism isn't just a rinse off. It's a resurrection. We go under in surrender and we come up with strength. [00:29:58]

You enter the water as one person, but you don't come up alone. You come up with Christ. The water still works. [00:30:31]

It started with Jesus in the Jordan, and then it spread like fire in the upper room, and it broke loose in the streets of Pentecost, where thousands of people were baptized because of bold obedience. Here's the great news. That exact same moment, that same power, still happening right here, right now, and unified together as a church with other churches across the nation, unifying together, knowing that the same spirit, the same power, the same water still works. [00:30:42]

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