Baptism Challenge - Day 3
What does baptism mean?
Welcome to Day 3 of the Baptism Challenge!
​
Baptism scripture in today's video: Acts 2:41 and Hebrews 11:35-38
Each day, I'll be including the Scripture of the day in 3 different versions: ESV, NIV, and KJV. If you have a preferred translations at your church, great. Hopefully it's one of these. It can be helpful to compare various translations to get a feel of the full texture of what the Scripture is saying.
​
Acts 2:41 (ESV) So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Hebrews 11:35-38 (ESV) Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated —of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth (English Standard Version)
​
Acts 2:41 (NIV) Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Hebrews 11:35-38 (NIV) ...There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
​
Acts 2:41 (KJV) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Hebrews 11:35-38 (KJV) ...others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
​
​
The Meaning of Baptism
In yesterday's video, we learned that baptism is an outward sign of an inward work.
​
Today we're discussing another part of what baptism means, and why it is important to be baptized. Baptism is a public testimony to the world that you are a follower of Jesus. In the days of Jesus Christ, baptism was already well known as a ceremony to the Jewish people. John the Baptist had baptized & Read Acts 2:41 to see what happened when Jesus’ disciples followed His instructions that we read on Day 1.
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
​
Baptism is public identification with Jesus as Savior and King
The early church grew by leaps and bounds as literally thousands of new believers testified publicly about their new life in Christ through baptism. For the early church, it was illegal to be a Christian, so it came at quite a risk to publicly testify that they were a follower of Jesus. In fact, early Christians were imprisoned, tortured, and persecuted.
Hebrews 11:35-38 tells us, “Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated —of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”
Your life may or may not look exactly like it did for the early Christians, but there might be challenges for you too. Are you willing to join this band of brothers and sisters “of whom the world was not worthy” and boldly proclaim to the world that you are a follower of Jesus?
​
Today's Preparing for Baptism Challenge: Make a list of friends and acquaintances to pray for and invite to your baptism.