After the Rope

After church one Sunday afternoon, a four-year-old boy said, very seriously, "Daddy, will you let me baptize you?" The father laughed it off as a joke but then realized that his son was serious, because he kept asking him, "Daddy, will you let me baptize you?" Finally, not knowing if his son even knew what "baptism" meant, the father said, "Okay son. You can baptize me." The son then came very close to his father, looked intently into his eyes, and said, "You're getting sleepy. You're getting sleepy. . . " 

So many are confused by what baptism is.  The boy in our story thought is was a form of hypnosis…  Others see it as a way to wash off a sinful weekend… still others as a method to get to heaven.  So what is it?   None of these.  

Instead, baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision.  It’s what comes after you pray the prayer of salvation.   Steph and I often refer to it as putting on your “God jersey”… showing the world that you are on God’s team.  We do it by immersion (dunking underwater) because that’s what they did in the Bible… and any believer can do it (or do it again).  It doesn’t get you to heaven… it doesn’t wash off a bunch of bad choices… it’s simply a chance to express the decision you’ve already made to follow Christ with your life.  It’s showing the world that you belong to Jesus… in a very public way.

Many ask me if Christening counts….  They want to know if the baptism that happened to them as little babies still holds up.  Yes.  Baptism as an adult by no means negates the Christening that your parents did for you when you were too young to remember.  In fact, it completes it.  When they had you sprinkled as a baby, they were committing to raising you in a way that honored God.  And now, as an adult, you are confirming their intent.   When you enter the waters of baptism by your own decision, you are telling them… yes… you wanted me to follow God in my life… and I have… and now I’m telling the world.  

If you have yet to be baptized, and grabbed the rope over the Christmas weekend…. what are you waiting for?  Jesus Himself did it.  And why?  Because He wanted us to follow in His beautiful footsteps and be baptized as well.  Ready to follow Him in obedience?  Ready to put on your God jersey?  Let me know in the comments below.  

God Jersey

After church one Sunday afternoon, a four-year-old boy said, very seriously, "Daddy, will you let me baptize you?" The father laughed it off as a joke but then realized that his son was serious, because he kept asking him, "Daddy, will you let me baptize you?" Finally, not knowing if his son even knew what "baptism" meant, the father said, "Okay son. You can baptize me." The son then came very close to his father, looked intently into his eyes, and said, "You're getting sleepy. You're getting sleepy. . . " 

So many are confused by what baptism is.  The boy in our story thought is was a form of hypnosis…  Others see it as a way to wash off a sinful weekend… still others as a method to get to heaven.  So what is it?   None of these.  

Instead, baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision.  It’s what comes after you pray the prayer of salvation.   Steph and I often refer to it as putting on your “God jersey”… showing the world that you are on God’s team.  We do it by immersion (dunking underwater) because that’s what they did in the Bible… and any believer can do it (or do it again).  It doesn’t get you to heaven… it doesn’t wash off a bunch of bad choices… it’s simply a chance to express the decision you’ve already made to follow Christ with your life.  It’s showing the world that you belong to Jesus… in a very public way.

Many ask me if Christening counts….  They want to know if the baptism that happened to them as little babies still holds up.  Yes.  Baptism as an adult by no means negates the Christening that your parents did for you when you were too young to remember.  In fact, it completes it.  When they had you sprinkled as a baby, they were committing to raising you in a way that honored God.  And now, as an adult, you are confirming their intent.   When you enter the waters of baptism by your own decision, you are telling them… yes… you wanted me to follow God in my life… and I have… and now I’m telling the world.  

If you have yet to be baptized, and have already prayed the prayer of salvation…. what are you waiting for?  Jesus Himself did it.  And why?  Because He wanted us to follow in His beautiful footsteps and be baptized as well.  Ready to follow Him in obedience?  Ready to put on your God jersey?  Let me know in the comments below.

It's Time

“Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”  Acts 2:38

“So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him [the eunuch] the Good News about Jesus.

As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”  He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.”  Acts 8:35-38

If you are a Christ follower and have never been baptized...

It’s time.  

Scripture tells us that baptism is the very first thing we are supposed to do after asking Jesus to come into our lives as Lord and Savior.  When we don’t do it for some reason (and there are many reasons we try to come up with...), we are being disobedient to God’s plan for our lives.   This disobedience puts a cap on our growth as Christ-followers...as leaders...as spouses...as boyfriends/girlfriends...

The very first thing God asks us to do after salvation... and we say no.   

Baptism may not solve all of our problems….

But it does put us in position for God’s blessings.

And God certainly wants to bless our lives, our relationships, and our families more than we could ever know.  What’s holding that back?   Perhaps it’s not taking that one simple step into the waters of baptism.  I am praying that you would respond to the nudge and join us at the beach this Easter Sunday at one of our campuses.  Details can be found here:  http://easteratpotential.com/baptism/  

God Jersey?

Author Art Hill shares a story about our second step of obedience from the message last weekend:  baptism.

After church one Sunday afternoon, a four-year-old boy said, very seriously, "Daddy, will you let me baptize you?" The father laughed it off as a joke but then realized that his son was serious, because he kept asking him, "Daddy, will you let me baptize you?" Finally, not knowing if his son even knew what "baptism" meant, the father said, "Okay son. You can baptize me." The son then came very close to his father, looked intently into his eyes, and said, "You're getting sleepy. You're getting sleepy. . . " 

So many are confused by what baptism is.  The boy in our story thought is was a form of hypnosis…  Others see it as a way to wash off a sinful weekend… still others as a method to get to heaven.  So what is it?   None of these.  

Instead, baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision.  It’s what comes after you pray the prayer of salvation that we talked about in yesterday’s post.  I often refer to it as putting on your “God jersey”… showing the world that you are on God’s team.  We do it by immersion (dunking underwater) because that’s what they did in the Bible… and any believer can do it (or do it again).  It doesn’t get you to heaven… it doesn’t wash off a bunch of bad choices… it’s simply a chance to express the decision you’ve already made to follow Christ with your life.  It’s showing the world that you belong to Jesus… in a very public way.

Many ask me if Christening counts….  They want to know if the baptism that happened to them as little babies still holds up.  Yes.  Baptism as an adult by no means negates the Christening that your parents did for you when you were too young to remember.  In fact, it completes it.  When they had you sprinkled as a baby, they were committing to raising you in a way that honored God.  And now, as an adult, you are confirming their intent.   When you enter the waters of baptism by your own decision, you are telling them… yes… you wanted me to follow God in my life… and I have… and now I’m telling the world.  

If you have yet to be baptized, and have already prayed the prayer of salvation…. what are you waiting for?  Jesus Himself did it.  And why?  Because He wanted us to follow in His beautiful footsteps and be baptized as well.  Ready to follow Him in obedience?  Ready to put on your God jersey?  Let me know in the comments below.

Painting a Picture

After church one Sunday afternoon, a four-year-old boy said, very seriously, "Daddy, will you let me baptize you?”  The father laughed it off as a joke but then realized that his son was serious, because he kept asking him, "Daddy, will you let me baptize you?”  Finally, not knowing if his son even knew what "baptism" meant, the father said, "Okay son. You can baptize me."

The son then came very close to his father, looked intently into his eyes, and said, "You're getting sleepy. You're getting sleepy. . . “

So many don’t get baptized because (like the boy in the story above) they don’t know really understand what it is.  

Baptism is simply showing the world that you have made a decision to follow Christ.  

• Maybe you raised your hand during a service and prayed the prayer of salvation.  
• Maybe you prayed that prayer long ago and never took that first step of obedience by getting into the waters of baptism.
• Maybe you were Christened as a child in the Catholic Church and hesitate to get baptized as an adult.  Remember, baptism as an adult doesn’t disqualify or negate the baptism you had as a child.  We see it as confirming or completing it.  You are telling your parents who had you baptized as a baby that you are now living out the faith they had in mind when you were Christened back then.  
• Maybe you want to rededicate your life to Christ and enter the waters for a second time.  The Bible doesn’t address the number of times a person can be baptized…  only that each time they do it, they are rededicating themselves to live a life that honors God.

Baptism paints the picture to the world of what you have already decided on the inside.  It’s a great message to friends and family about what God is doing in your life… and illustrates the decision you’ve made to give everything you understand about yourself to everything you understand about God.  

What’s holding you back from getting baptized?   Take today and search your heart…  If you’ve made the decision to follow God with your life… why not join us at the beach near one of our campuses this weekend?  You won’t regret the decision… and you’ll have a lot of fun in the process.  Hope to see you there!

www.potentialchurch.com/baptism

Water

Before reading today’s devotional, please watch this amazing story of life change from one of our Potential Church family members:  

Here’s the link:   https://vimeo.com/106986181

“Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”  Acts 2:38

“So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him [the eunuch] the Good News about Jesus.

As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”  He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.”  Acts 8:35-38

If you are a Christ follower and have never been baptized...

It’s time.  

Scripture tells us that baptism is the very first thing we are supposed to do after asking Jesus to come into our lives as Lord and Savior.  When we don’t do it for some reason (and there are many reasons we try to come up with...), we are being disobedient to God’s plan for our lives.   This disobedience puts a cap on our growth as Christ-followers...as leaders...as spouses...as boyfriends/girlfriends...

The very first thing God asks us to do after salvation... and we say no.   

Baptism may not solve all of our problems….

But it does put us in position for God’s blessings.

And God certainly wants to bless our lives, our relationships, and our families more than we could ever know.  What’s holding that back?   Perhaps it’s not taking that one simple step into the waters of baptism.  I am praying that you would respond to the nudge and join us at the beach this Sunday at one of our campuses.  Details can be found here:  http://potentialchurch.com/baptism/

God Jersey

Author Art Hill shares a story about our second step of obedience from the message last weekend:  baptism.

After church one Sunday afternoon, a four-year-old boy said, very seriously, "Daddy, will you let me baptize you?" The father laughed it off as a joke but then realized that his son was serious, because he kept asking him, "Daddy, will you let me baptize you?" Finally, not knowing if his son even knew what "baptism" meant, the father said, "Okay son. You can baptize me." The son then came very close to his father, looked intently into his eyes, and said, "You're getting sleepy. You're getting sleepy. . . " 

So many are confused by what baptism is.  The boy in our story thought is was a form of hypnosis…  Others see it as a way to wash off a sinful weekend… still others as a method to get to heaven.  So what is it?   None of these.  

Instead, baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision.  It’s what comes after you pray the prayer of salvation that we talked about in yesterday’s post.  I often refer to it as putting on your “God jersey”… showing the world that you are on God’s team.  We do it by immersion (dunking underwater) because that’s what they did in the Bible… and any believer can do it (or do it again).  It doesn’t get you to heaven… it doesn’t wash off a bunch of bad choices… it’s simply a chance to express the decision you’ve already made to follow Christ with your life.  It’s showing the world that you belong to Jesus… in a very public way.

Many ask me if Christening counts….  They want to know if the baptism that happened to them as little babies still holds up.  Yes.  Baptism as an adult by no means negates the Christening that your parents did for you when you were too young to remember.  In fact, it completes it.  When they had you sprinkled as a baby, they were committing to raising you in a way that honored God.  And now, as an adult, you are confirming their intent.   When you enter the waters of baptism by your own decision, you are telling them… yes… you wanted me to follow God in my life… and I have… and now I’m telling the world.  

If you have yet to be baptized, and have already prayed the prayer of salvation…. what are you waiting for?  Jesus Himself did it.  And why?  Because He wanted us to follow in His beautiful footsteps and be baptized as well.  Ready to follow Him in obedience?  Ready to put on your God jersey?  Let me know in the comments below.

Water

“Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Acts 2:38

“So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him [the eunuch] the Good News about Jesus.

As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.” Acts 8:35-38

If you are a Christ follower and have never been baptized...

It’s time.

Scripture tells us that baptism is the very first thing we are supposed to do after asking Jesus to come into our lives as Lord and Savior. When we don’t do it for some reason (and there are many reasons we try to come up with...), we are being disobedient to God’s plan for our lives. This disobedience puts a cap on our growth as Christ-followers...as leaders...as spouses...as boyfriends/girlfriends...

The very first thing God asks us to do after salvation... and we say no.

Baptism may not solve your marriage problems... it may not reveal the man/woman that you have been searching for...

But it does put you in position for God to bless you.

I want to encourage you to either have or join us at one of our baptism parties this summer. You may not think it will make much difference... that what you’re going through won’t change. I assure you... baptism is so much more than getting wet. It’s telling the world that you belong to Christ... you are following in His example... you are dedicated to what He has asked you to do... and you are walking boldly with Him as the leader of your life.

God wants to bless your life, your relationships, and your family more than you could ever know. What’s holding that back? Perhaps it’s not taking that one simple step into the waters of baptism. I am praying that you would respond to the nudge and join us.

Details can be found here: http://potentialchurch.com/baptism-parties/

It's Time

“Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”  Acts 2:38

“So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him [the eunuch] the Good News about Jesus.

As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”  He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.”  Acts 8:35-38

If you are a Christ follower and have never been baptized...

It’s time.  

Scripture tells us that baptism is the very first thing we are supposed to do after asking Jesus to come into our lives as Lord and Savior.  When we don’t do it for some reason (and there are many reasons we try to come up with...), we are being disobedient to God’s plan for our lives.   This disobedience puts a cap on our growth as Christ-followers...as leaders...as spouses...as boyfriends/girlfriends...

The very first thing God asks us to do after salvation... and we say no.   

Baptism may not solve your marriage problems... it may not reveal the man/woman that you have been searching for... 

But it does put you in position for God to bless you.  

I want to encourage you to join us at the beach this Easter Sunday for baptism.  You may not think it will make much difference... that what you’re going through won’t change.  I assure you... baptism is so much more than getting wet.  It’s telling the world that you belong to Christ... you are following in His example... you are dedicated to what He has asked you to do... and you are walking boldly with Him as the leader of your life.

God wants to bless your life, your relationships, and your family more than you could ever know.  What’s holding that back?   Perhaps it’s not taking that one simple step into the waters of baptism.  I am praying that you would respond to the nudge and join us.  

Details can be found here:  http://potentialchurch.com/baptism/