GodSpeak – Baptism – March 19-24

UNDESERVED: God’s Gift of Grace
Baptism

We are by nature sinful creatures. God tells us in Psalm 51 that we are sinful at birth, even from the moment of conception. God’s gift to us is that he provides a physical means by which we can be assured of his forgiveness. God uses such a basic element, water, to wash our sins away.

 Weekly Memory Verse: Matthew 28:19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

Monday, March 19     Read Psalm 51. King David has committed a grievous sin against God and his people. Sins were only cleansed through sacrifice. Notice here how fervently David wishes that God would wash his sins away and cleanse him.

Tuesday, March 20     Read Matthew 28. Final words are usually pretty important. Take a moment to analyze the final words Jesus tells his disciples here. How does baptism fit in the picture?

Wednesday, March 21     Read Romans 6. The image of baptism is this: When we go under the water, we die. When we come up out of the water a new person arises, leaving the old person still dead under the water. What does it mean then when Paul says that we were buried WITH Jesus THROUGH baptism?

Thursday, March 22     Read Galatians 3Galatians 4:7. It’s easy to try to squeeze a little pride or boasting into God’s grace. But we are clothed with Christ through baptism! What does it mean for you to “wear” Jesus? Do we ever take off that clothing? How are those clothed with Christ different than those who are not?

Friday, March 23     Read Titus 3:1-11. God saved us by grace. That grace is expressed through Baptism as the Holy Spirit works through the water and the word. Look at vs.4-7. With words like “washing” and “poured,” is Paul talking about Baptism here?

Saturday, March 24     Read John 3:1-21. The Gospel of John is filled with symbolism. Often, we find a deeper meaning to the text when we analyze the symbols of the text. What about v.5? Water and the Spirit. Baptism?

Bethel Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN – bethelstpaul.com

 

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