Accept the Initiation: Baptism – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  Acts 2:37-40

Key Verse: Acts 2:41

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Our printed key verse for today is the conclusion of a pinnacle event in the kingdom of God.  For the Jews this day was a celebration of the giving of the Law, called Pentecost.  God called Moses to the mountain and gave him the Ten Commandments.  The event was huge—we still talk about and make movies to depict it.  God wanted the Jewish people to celebrate the giving of the Law every year.  It was to be a reminder to them that God cares for and loves His people.  They were to celebrate the fact that God gave His wisdom to His children so they could live wholesome lives in a wicked world!

Pentecost was to be celebrated fifty days after the Passover, which was the annual celebration of God’s deliverance from Egypt.  God tied these celebrations together to continually remind His children that He has been and wants to continue to be involved in their lives.  His power can deliver His followers from the chains of slavery and His wisdom can guide them on their life’s journey.

We can have these experiences in our lives.  We can receive Jesus as our Savior and break free from the chains of sin.  After we have our own personal “passover,” we can celebrate our own “Pentecost” by allowing God’s Spirit to totally rule and guide our lives with divine wisdom.  (More tomorrow.)

Father, I praise you for my experience of salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit in my life.  I will live in victory today!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.