I Can Be Baptized
Lesson text: Acts 2:22-24, 36-41; Acts 8:35-39; I Peter 3:21
Memory Verse: I Peter 3:21
We have been talking about things we can do. These things are sometimes referred to as the “Steps to Salvation.” We learned that we can hear the Word of God (like the eunuch). We can believe the Word of God (like the Philippian jailer) We can repent of our sins (like Saul, who later became Paul), and we can confess Jesus to others (like the man who was healed of his blindness). Those are all good things, but there is more we must do!
After Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead by God on the third day, he taught his apostles what they were supposed to do. Some of the last words he spoke to them before he went up into Heaven were “teach people from all countries and baptize them in the name of the Father (God), the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19-20). Another book tells us that He also said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). These were among His final instructions to his disciples. Jesus thought it was very important.
What is baptism? Baptism is where we reenact the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The Bible speaks of people being baptized by entering and coming out of the water. It is called a burial because when we are baptized, we go completely under the water. Then we are raised up out of the water just like God the Father raised Christ from the dead. When we are baptized, we are forgiven of our sins (if we have repented of them), and when we are raised up from the water, we are ready to live a new life for Jesus. Baptism saves us!
Shortly after Jesus went into Heaven, the Holy Spirit came upon the 12 apostles, and they began to preach to the crowd of Jews in Jerusalem. This day was called the “Day of Pentecost.” It was a special religious day for the Jews. Jews from various locations came to Jerusalem on that day to worship God. They spoke many different languages, but when these 12 apostles (who were uneducated) men began to speak, each person in the crowd heard in his/her own language! They preached to the crowd about Jesus. The people realized that the apostles were telling them the truth and asked, “What do we need to do?”
First, we need to notice something. The people heard God’s Word (just like the eunuch). They believed God‘s Word (like the jailer). Peter then told them to repent (change for the better by following Jesus, as Saul did), and then he told them to be baptized so that they could have their sins forgiven. Peter and the apostles did what Jesus had told them to do. They were teaching others to be baptized to have their sins forgiven. The Bible says that day, about 3,000 people were baptized!
When Phillip taught the eunuch about Jesus, he also taught him about baptism. The eunuch stopped Phillip and asked to be baptized. Phillip must have told him that baptism was important. The jailer knew that Paul and Silas were from God, and he rejoiced when he and his whole family was baptized. Saul (who later became Paul) was told by Ananias (who was sent by Jesus) to be baptized. The people on the day of Pentecost also were told to be baptized! All of the preachers in the Bible thought it was very important, and so should we!
True or False
________ 1. The apostles preached about Jesus on the Day of the Passover.
________ 2. The Jews from other countries spoke different languages.
________ 3. Jesus wanted the apostles to sprinkle water on people.
________ 4. Peter told the Jews to repent and to be baptized.
________ 5. About 3,000 people were baptized the first day.
Fill in the Blanks
1. Jesus instructed the apostles to __________ and ___________ people.
2. The apostles preached on the Day of _______________.
3. Baptism involves going into and coming out of ____________.
4. ___________ taught the eunuch about Jesus and baptism..
5. When we are baptized, our sins are _______________.
What do the Words Mean?
1. Baptize _____________________________________________________
2. Forgiven____________________________________________________
3. Resurrection_________________________________________________
Discussion Questions
1. It was one of the last instructions Jesus gave to the apostles, and it was one of the first things that the apostles taught. Our memory verse also says that baptism “saves us.” Why do some people think baptism is not important?
2. On the Day of Pentecost, the eunuch, the jailer, and all the Jews only heard one sermon before they wanted to be baptized. How much do you have to know about Jesus and the Bible before you can be baptized?
Solve the Riddles
1. I died and was raised by God three days later. I taught my disciples to teach others and to baptize them. Who am I? _____________________
2. We followed Jesus. We preached on the Day of Pentecost, and everyone in the crowd heard our sermons in their own languages! Who are we? ___________________
3. We came to Jerusalem once a year to worship God. We lived in many different countries and spoke many different languages. We believed what the apostles preached, and 3,000 of us were baptized that day. Who are we? _______________
4. I stopped Phillip and asked him to baptize me because I wanted to follow Jesus. Who am I? __________________
5. I was the one who told the people on the Day of Pentecost to repent and to be baptized, just like Jesus taught me to do. I am one of the 12 apostles. Who am I? _________________
Remember Your Verse
Fill in the blanks with the words in the box below
“… ______________ doth also now _______ us (not the ________ away of the _______ of
the ________, but the _________ of a good __________ towards ________) by the
_____________ of Jesus ________.” (I Peter 3:21) (KJV)
putting filth baptism Christ God resurrection save flesh conscience answer
