Transformative Power of Baptism and Repentance

Devotional

Day 1: Repentance—A Change of Mind About Jesus

Repentance is not just feeling sorry for past actions, but a decisive change of mind and heart about who Jesus truly is. Many people have opinions about Jesus—some see Him as a good teacher, others as a distant figure—but true repentance means recognizing Him as Savior and Lord. This change of mind leads to a change in direction, turning away from self-reliance and sin, and turning toward a relationship with Christ. Repentance is the first step before baptism, marking the inward transformation that God has begun in your life. [12:28]

Acts 2:37-38 (ESV)
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 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.”

Reflection: What is one opinion or belief about Jesus that you need to surrender or change today in order to truly follow Him as your Savior and Lord?

Day 2: Baptism—An Outward Expression of Inward Transformation

Baptism is a public declaration of what Jesus has already accomplished inside your heart. It does not save or cleanse you, but it is a command from Jesus to proclaim your faith and identify with Him. Baptism is a symbol—an outward sign of an inward reality—showing that you have repented, been forgiven, and now belong to Christ. It is a joyful proclamation to the world that you are no longer who you once were, but have been changed by the grace of God. [19:41]

Acts 2:41 (ESV)
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Reflection: If you have been baptized, how can you use your story to encourage someone else to take that step of faith? If you have not, what is holding you back from making this public declaration?

Day 3: Identifying with Christ’s Death—Dying to Sin

When you are baptized, you are identifying with Jesus’ death—putting to death your old self and the power of sin in your life. This means you are no longer a slave to sinful habits or desires; you are called to be dead to sin, refusing to let it reign in your body. The temptations of this world may still surround you, but through Christ, the power of sin is broken. You are no longer defined by your past or your failures, but by your new identity in Jesus. [22:22]

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: What is one area of your life where you need to “die to sin” today, and how can you take a practical step to leave that old way behind?

Day 4: United with Christ’s Resurrection—Living a New Life

Just as you identify with Jesus’ death in baptism, you also identify with His resurrection—rising to walk in newness of life. This union with Christ means His life now flows through you, empowering you to live differently. You are not meant to continue in old patterns, but to live as someone who has been raised with Christ, set free from the power of sin, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Your life is now marked by transformation, hope, and the fruit of the Spirit, as you live for God’s glory every day. [27:45]

Romans 6:5-11 (ESV)
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one new habit or practice you can begin today that reflects your new life in Christ and your union with Him?

Day 5: The Mark of a Christian—A Changed Life

The true evidence of salvation is a changed life—one that no longer makes a practice of sinning, but is continually being transformed by the Holy Spirit. While perfection is not possible, the direction of your life should be toward Christlikeness, marked by repentance, obedience, and the fruit of the Spirit. Your identity is now in Christ, and everything you do should reflect His love and holiness. This ongoing transformation is the mark that you belong to Him and are alive in Him. [34:11]

1 John 3:6-9 (ESV)
No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.

Reflection: In what specific way can you demonstrate today that your identity is in Christ and not in your old self or the world?

Sermon Summary

Water baptism is a powerful outward expression of an inward transformation that Jesus has accomplished in our lives. It is not a ritual that saves us, nor is it a work that earns us favor with God. Rather, it is a public proclamation that we have repented—changed our minds and hearts about who Jesus is—and have surrendered to Him as Lord and Savior. This is why we do not baptize infants, but only those who are old enough to understand and respond to the call of Christ. Repentance must come first, a genuine turning from our old ways and a recognition that we cannot save ourselves. Only then does baptism become a meaningful symbol of what has already taken place within us.

The story of Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 reminds us that everyone has an opinion about Jesus, but only a true encounter with Him leads to repentance and transformation. Peter’s audience was “cut to the heart” when they realized they had misunderstood Jesus, and their response was to ask, “What shall we do?” The answer was clear: “Repent and be baptized.” This order is significant. Repentance is not just feeling sorry for sin, but a complete change of mind and direction—a surrender to Jesus as Savior, not just a good teacher or moral example.

Baptism, then, is a vivid picture of our union with Christ. When we go under the water, we identify with His death—putting to death our old self, our sinful nature, and our former way of life. When we rise from the water, we identify with His resurrection—embracing new life, freedom from the power of sin, and a new identity in Christ. This is not just symbolic language; it is a spiritual reality. The power of sin is broken, and we are no longer defined by our past or our failures, but by the life of Christ within us.

This new identity means that we cannot continue in sin as if nothing has changed. The mark of a true Christian is a changed life—a life that is dead to sin and alive to God. We are united with Christ, and His life flows through us, empowering us to live for Him and to glorify the Father in all we do. Baptism is a celebration of this transformation, a declaration that we belong to Jesus, and a reminder that our hope and strength come from Him alone.

Key Takeaways

1. Repentance is a Transforming Change of Mind and Heart Repentance is not merely feeling regret or guilt over sin, but a radical change in how we see Jesus and ourselves. It is the moment we recognize Jesus as Savior, not just a good person or teacher, and surrender our lives to Him. This change of mind leads to a change in direction, setting the stage for true spiritual transformation. [12:28]
2. Baptism Follows Repentance as an Outward Sign of Inward Change The biblical pattern is clear: repentance comes first, then baptism. Baptism is a public declaration that we have already been forgiven and transformed by Christ. It is not a means of salvation, but a joyful proclamation of what God has done within us, making it essential that the one being baptized understands and has experienced this change. [09:45]
3. Union with Christ Means Death to Sin and Newness of Life Baptism symbolizes our identification with both the death and resurrection of Jesus. Going under the water represents dying to our old self and sinful nature, while rising from the water signifies new life in Christ. This union is not just symbolic, but a real spiritual transaction—our old self is crucified, and we are empowered to live in the freedom and victory of Christ. [22:22]
4. The Mark of a Christian is a Changed Life, Not Perfection True faith in Christ results in a life that is no longer characterized by willful, habitual sin. While we still struggle with the flesh, the power of sin is broken, and our desires and actions begin to reflect our new identity in Christ. The evidence of salvation is not flawless living, but a continual process of becoming more like Jesus, marked by repentance and growth. [34:11]
5. Our Identity is Now in Christ, Empowered by the Holy Spirit We are no longer self-reliant or defined by our past, but by our union with Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to crucify the flesh and live for God, not just on Sundays, but every day. Our lives are now about glorifying the Father, and baptism is a celebration of this new identity and the freedom we have in Christ.

** [14:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Why We Don’t Baptize Infants
[02:11] - The Resurrection and the Gift of the Spirit
[03:51] - Peter’s Sermon: Who is Jesus?
[05:24] - God’s Plan in the Crucifixion
[06:23] - The Importance of Our Opinion of Jesus
[07:34] - How Our Perspective Shapes Our Response
[09:08] - Repentance: The First Step
[11:13] - Outward Expression, Inward Transformation
[12:28] - What Repentance Really Means
[13:35] - The Sinful Nature and the Need for Change
[14:57] - Seeing Through the Lens of Christ
[15:55] - The Decision to Accept Christ’s Gift
[17:15] - The Cost of Refusing to Change
[18:51] - Baptism: Commanded, Not Salvific
[19:41] - Why Full Submersion?
[20:50] - Baptism as a Result of Forgiveness
[22:22] - Identifying with Christ’s Death
[34:11] - Alive to God: Living Out Our New Identity

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 2:22-24, 37-39 (ESV) — > 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
> ...
> 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 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. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Romans 6:1-8 (ESV) — > 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 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.
> 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Observation Questions

In Acts 2, what was the crowd’s response when Peter explained who Jesus really was and what they had done? ([09:45])
According to Peter’s sermon, what two actions did he command the people to take after they were “cut to the heart”? ([09:45])
In Romans 6, what does Paul say baptism symbolizes about our relationship to sin and to Christ? ([22:22])
What does Paul say happens to our “old self” when we are united with Christ in baptism? ([22:22])

Interpretation Questions

Why is repentance described as more than just feeling sorry for sin? How does a change of mind about Jesus lead to a change in direction for someone’s life? ([12:28])
Why is the order of “repent and be baptized” significant? What does this order reveal about the meaning of baptism? ([09:45])
According to Romans 6, what does it mean to be “dead to sin and alive to God”? How does this affect the way a Christian should view ongoing sin in their life? ([22:22])
The sermon says the mark of a true Christian is a changed life, not perfection. What does this look like in practical terms? ([34:11])

Application Questions

The sermon said that everyone has an opinion about Jesus, but only a true encounter leads to repentance and transformation. How did your own opinion or understanding of Jesus change before you decided to follow Him? ([07:34])
Repentance is described as a radical change of mind and heart about who Jesus is. Is there an area of your life where you still need to “change your mind” and surrender to Jesus’ authority? What would it look like to do that this week? ([12:28])
Baptism is a public declaration of an inward change. If you have been baptized, how did that experience impact your faith journey? If you haven’t, what questions or hesitations do you have about taking that step? ([11:13])
Romans 6 says we are “dead to sin and alive to God.” Are there habits or patterns in your life that still reflect your “old self”? What is one specific step you can take to walk in “newness of life” this month? ([22:22])
The sermon emphasized that the power of sin is broken, but temptations still exist. What is one temptation you regularly face, and how can you rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to overcome it? ([34:11])
The mark of a Christian is a changed life, not perfection. Who in your life has seen a change in you since you started following Jesus? How can you continue to grow so that your life points others to Christ? ([34:11])
Our new identity is in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. What is one way you can intentionally live out your new identity this week—at home, at work, or in your community? ([14:57])

Sermon Clips

It's so easy to have our own standards. It's so easy to know what's right and wrong in our own eyes. And so we have, by human nature, all of us have decided what's acceptable and not acceptable. But until we come to Jesus, it won't matter because what's acceptable and not acceptable was viewed through the lens of sin, was through the lens of this world, through flesh. And then once we come to Christ, now we look everything through a different lens and we realize something. My standard didn't mean anything at all. [00:15:05] (30 seconds) #HumanStandardsFailWithoutChrist

He doesn't change. We change. And so we must come to that point where we realize, I want to be changed. Our mindset completely changes. When we repent, our mindset is now realizing that sin is sin. Sin is a rebellion against God the Father. We must come to that realization. Living life how we used to or living life how we want to do it is actually a slap in the face of the very one who died for me. [00:17:47] (28 seconds) #WeChangeNotJesus

If I love him, I'll obey him. If I love him, I'll want to be like him. If I love him, I'll want to be with him. If I love him, I'll repent. So I change to become more like him. There comes that point. We must make that decision to change. We must make that decision to repent. To acknowledge that we are a sinner. And God loves us, and he loves us even while we're sinners. That's why he went to a cross for us. But only Jesus can do that. Only Jesus can do that. We confess we're a sinner. We confess that Jesus is Lord. [00:18:29] (37 seconds) #LoveLeadsToObedience

Now, I'll say it right up front, in case I haven't made it clear before, but water baptism does not save anybody. Okay? Water baptism doesn't clean anybody. It doesn't do those salvation things. But yet, it's still commanded of us. Why? To show and proclaim what Jesus has already done on the inside of us. That's why we do it. [00:19:22] (21 seconds) #BaptismIsSymbolNotSalvation

Paul's talking about being baptized in christ jesus that we are so immersed by jesus that we have his identity so just like jesus was put to death we have died to sin the former ways of our life and can i tell you these are not just words this is an actual transaction that takes place an actual transformation that takes place in us it's something real we spiritually die we who we were what made us up what what what made us who we were spiritually dies and again these are not just words it happens it's dead and so when we are baptizing people and we put them under that's what we're identifying with that's what we're symbolizing you are now dead to your former ways of life you are now dead to those things of sin you are now dead to the power of sin you're dead to all of those things but like i said and i said jokingly i'm not going to keep you down there because you got to come back up okay and when you come back up that means you are now identifying with jesus's resurrection. [00:35:49] (67 seconds) #DeadThenResurrected

We identify with his death we are literally putting to death those things inside of us that made us do what we did think what we thought we put that to death we're not like that anymore but then we come back up and we now identify with his resurrection paul used the word united he said we've been united with jesus which is the reason why we cannot continue to sin the people who want to be both with christ and continue doing their own thing we can't do both why because if we're reunited with him then we can't keep sinning jesus didn't sin we are united with him it's his life flowing through us it's him who we're we're modeling after it's him who's our example our mentor we are united with him. [00:38:08] (46 seconds) #LiveForJesusInAll

In short what we're saying is the mark of a christian is a changed life that's the mark that's the fruit right there change from what you were before change from this world does that mean you're perfect not by any means okay no one's perfect but god's work sanctifies who we are sanctifies our life sanctifies and sets us apart so we become more and more like him. [00:43:49] (27 seconds) #VictoryOverSinThroughChrist

We don't have to be weak and susceptible to sin any longer he's given us the power through his resurrection to overcome it we don't have to give into it anymore we don't have to live like that anymore we can have this new life and freedom in christ when we identify with him. [00:46:05] (18 seconds)

``So when we do a water baptism it's not just to get people wet this is a mark for people who said i have repented i have changed my ways i have changed who i am and i identify with jesus that i no longer live for my old self for those sins for those things i now identify with his resurrection and it's christ who lives in me amen [00:46:23] (22 seconds)

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