September 15-21, 2024
I have been pondering Baptism for several years and the fact that Christians are divided on the who, what, when, and how of it. I was baptized as a child, pre-salvation. Then I was saved as a young adult in college. I did not get baptized immediately after salvation as the minister encouraged me that I had already done that. Years later I found myself at a different church in the new members class. One of the teachings was on baptism and I heard clearly that I needed to be baptized as an act of obedience after salvation. So to me baptism is about obedience and occurs after salvation. It is also immersion to signify the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. That seems a bit straightforward to me. Repent. Believe. Be Baptized. Yet, lets ponder together what the scriptures say.
This week's Bible reading: Matthew 3
Focus Verse: “But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!” (Luke 12:50)
Prayer Prompts
Day 1: Jesus is speaking in our focal verse this week. What is the baptism that He is speaking about? Does it involve water?
Day 2: How is the baptism referenced in Luke 12:50 related to the directive for us to believe and be baptized?
Day 3: How is believers’ baptism related to suffering?
Day 4: What do you think Jesus meant by being distressed until the baptism that He spoke of was completed?
Day 5: Baptism denotes immersion. It is likely used here as a comparison to water baptism to illustrate the depth of Jesus’ suffering to come. Does the use of the word help you see the depths of His suffering or does the use of that word confuse you? Why or why not?
Challenge: Write out a comparison of water baptism, baptism of the Holy Spirit, and baptism of pain and suffering in your journal or in a notebook.
Prayer Prompts and Bible Readings are provided by Michele Bowden and Lisa Brass, Coaches and Digital Missioners with Visual Faith™ Ministry. Find them on our Creative Devotion page, on Instagram @victoryinart and @aworthylif, and on the web at victoryinart.com.