Session 2: The Water

Session Overview

Confessional Statement

Disciples of Christ: earnestly receive God’s salvation by repenting from sin and pledging faith in Christ, publicly declare their faith commitment and community participation through baptism, and get established in faith essentials as part of a Christian community.

Key Elements

• Key Passage: Acts 2:37–41
• Scripture Memory: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Romans 6:3–5
• Catechism Question: Q: How does a disciple publicize faith in Christ? A: Baptism.

Introduction

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

It costs something to be a true Christian. safaLet that never be forgotten. To be a mere nominal Christian, and go to church, is cheap and easy work. But to hear Christ’s voice, follow Christ, believe in Christ, and confess Christ, requires much self-denial. It will cost us our sins, our self-righteousness, our ease, and our worldliness. All must be given up. We must fight an enemy who comes against us with thousands of followers. We must build a tower in troubled times. Our Lord Jesus Christ would have us thoroughly understand this. He bids us “count the cost.”

When the gospel is proclaimed, the lines are drawn. We are either for Jesus or against him. The piercing reality of the gospel is that no one can remain neutral about the claims of Christ. That Jesus is fully God and fully human and came to earth to rescue sinful humans by dying on the cross and raising again from the dead corners all human beings to make a decision as to whether they will follow this Jesus or reject him. This was the case in the first century and has no less been the case in every generation and culture since. The gospel message is not a mere informational campaign for life’s betterment; it is an urgent appeal to forsake one’s sinful ways and declare allegiance to God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

If faith is the first step in being a disciple of Jesus, baptism is the second. It is by this important and sacred act of baptism—being immersed in water—that new disciples announce their allegiance to Jesus. As a rite of passage pregnant with meaning, baptism gives new Christians a way to profess their faith in Christ, renounce their sin, practice obedience to Jesus, testify about the forgiveness of sins, identify with Jesus, and join the covenant community of the church. Baptism bears witness to God’s transforming work in lives of his people and, as such, it also provides a solid foundation for ongoing transformation in the life of believers and the believing community.

While Acts 2:22–36 records the core content of the gospel message, Acts 2:37–41 narrates what an appropriate response to the gospel message entails. People listening to Peter’s message came under deep conviction of their sin and asked Peter how they should respond. Peter told them to turn from their sin and get baptized as a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ. Responding to the gospel message in genuine faith brings forgiveness of sin, the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. Through the gospel message, God is calling people to a reconciled relationship with himself and offering them forgiveness from their sin. In response to Peter’s instruction, many people believed, were baptized, and joined the community of faith.

Jesus is calling you to publicly profess your faith in Christ, turn from your sin, and join the community of faith. Coming to trust Jesus is a means of surrendering our lives to his authority. When we believe in Christ, we belong to him. Baptism is the very important Christian practice—a right of passage—that gives new Christians a concrete and visible way to make their newfound faith public. Being a disciple of Jesus is not meant to be private or secret. As much as Jesus is calling you to believe the gospel, he is also inviting you to pledge your allegiance to him before the watching world. Allegiance to Christ also involves a renunciation of one’s past life of sin and rebellion. While each person must make their own decision about Jesus, the Christian life was never intended to be lived alone. The call to be baptized is an invitation to belong to a community of believers as a faith family. As we explore the crowd’s response to Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:37–41, this scene becomes a roadmap to guide our own response to Christ.

Biblical Interpretation: Hearing the Word

Study the Text: Read the biblical passage. Answer the following questions to familiarize yourself with the scriptural narrative. Then in the Storycraft section, retell this story in your own words in a way that is accurate, natural, and reproducible.

Storycraft: In Your Own Words

Theological Dialogue: Discussing the Plot

Explore the Text: Discuss the following questions as a community. For help answering these questions, read the Commentary on the following pages to uncover core principles this passage teaches about the Christian faith.

Commentary

Key Idea:

Jesus is calling people to announce their full allegiance to Christ through the act of baptism.

Introduction

The good news of the gospel is that God has provided a way for forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God, and escape from divine judgment. This is made freely available through Jesus. When the gospel is preached, it calls for people to respond. In fact, no one can remain neutral when confronted with the gospel message. Even a casual dismissal of the gospel amounts to a denial of Christ. The gracious offer of salvation can only God be enjoyed if it is sincerely received, accepted, and embraced. When people way respond to the gospel in genuine faith, they freely receive God’s promised blessings. People can also refuse the good news of the gospel. Rejecting the claims of Christ—by denying, dismissing, or ignoring the gospel—people decline God’s offer of salvation. Bound and burdened by their guilt, sin, and shame, these people face God’s pending judgment.

As the gospel speaks of eternal realities, too much is at stake to ignore one’s relationship with Jesus. As was noted above, everyone has some relationship with Jesus. For those who seek to follow Jesus—to answer his call of Christian discipleship—it is vital that we understand what it means to respond to the gospel in faith. We are not left without help to understand what a faithful response to the gospel entails. The narrative of Acts 2:1–47 not only provides the content of the gospel, but provides details on what it looks like to have an appropriate response to the gospel.

After Peter preached the gospel in Acts 2:22–36, the subsequent narrative of Acts 2:37–41 describes the response of the crowd. People came under deep conviction of their guilt and sin. Peter instructed them to turn from their sin, pledge their allegiance to Jesus, accept God’s offer of salvation, and join the community of believers. Genuine faith in Christ brings forgiveness of sins, the promise of the Holy Spirit, and nearness to God. The rite of baptism is a means for believers to visibly express the commitments and publicly announce the blessings that come with genuine faith in Christ. In this way, the scene recounted in Acts 2:37–41 is instructive for all who want to substantiate their allegiance to Jesus.

This is a fitting moment for you to examine your own heart. While Jesus freely offers salvation to people far from God, people cannot accept this offer without fully surrendering their lives to Jesus. This much becomes clear from the passage we will study together. Therefore, as Peter instructs the crowd in Acts 2:37–41, consider this passage as an instruction to you: relating how you can come to receive the promised blessings of the gospels.

Cut to the Heart: Acknowledging Guilt and Conviction of Sin

Biblical Narrative (Acts 2:37). Peter’s gospel message deeply affected the crowd. Describing the deep impact and piercing conviction felt by the listeners, the narrative records, “when they heard this they were cut to the heart” (2:37). To be “cut to the heart” is to feel the burden and weight of one’s guilt. In Peter’s message, he specifically pointed out that the people were guilty before God. They had witnessed the miraculous deeds of Christ (2:22), but they crucified and killed [Jesus] by the hands of lawless men” (2:23). By rejecting Jesus, people were just as “lawless” and guilty as those who actually put Jesus to death. Participating in this lawlessness, the crowd was guilty of crucifying Jesus (2:36). In fact, Peter would later say that the people were part of “this crooked generation” (2:40) heading towards divine punishment. Having felt the heaviness and weight of Peter’s indictment, the people recognized they were guilty before God. So deep was this reality felt that the crowd asked Peter and the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (2:37)._

Biblical Principles. One of the most important responses to the gospel is to acknowledge one’s sinfulness and personal guilt before God. Those listening to Peter’s message were brought to such an acute awareness of their wrongdoing and need of salvation. This sense of remorse and honest acknowledgment of one’s sinful condition before a Holy God is called conviction. To come under conviction is to take ownership of one’s sin—to admit that one is culpable for their wrongdoing. Genuine faith in Christ begins with conviction. Until we are honest about our own sin—and the pending reality of judgment—the message of the gospel will not seem like good news. It is against the backdrop of our hopeless and helpless condition of sin that Jesus’ work of salvation provides deep and abiding relief.

In the Name of Jesus Christ: Finding New Life and New Identity in Christ

Biblical Narrative (Acts 2:38, 40). In response to crowd’s request, Peter told the people to “repent and be baptized” (2:38). By instructing them to repent, Peter was telling them to forsake their sin and renounce their old way of life. At this point, the crowd was not living a life of dependence and faith in Christ. Instead, they rejected Christ and lived in lawless rebellion against God. In the act of repentance, the crowd would reorient their lives toward God. In a real sense, this repentance was a “rejection of their rejection” of Jesus, submitting themselves to Jesus’ authority. Related to repentance is the response of faith. If repentance involves turning away from sinful ways, faith involves turning toward God. We know that many from the crowd expressed faith in Christ because they “received his word” (2:41). In the act of faith, believers align themselves to God by pledging their allegiance and loyalty to Christ._

Peter was not dispassionate or condemning to his listeners. He cared deeply that they come to a saving relationship with Jesus. Although the story only records a short excerpt from Peter’s speech (cf. 2:38–39), we know that “with many other words [Peter] bore witness and continued to exhort them” (2:40). He made a direct appeal for them to “save yourselves from this crooked generation” (2:40). Peter’s concern for the crowd is seen by warning them about the pending reality of divine judgment. Jesus had accomplished salvation for humanity, but Peter explained that this salvation is only experienced by being in right relationship with Jesus through faith and repentance.

Along with repentance, Peter enjoined the crowd to “be baptized” (2:38). The act of being immersed in water is a visible sign that one has renounced the life of sin and placed faith in Christ. Peter clearly expresses that “every one of you” (2:38) must respond in this way. No one can respond in faith and repentance for another person. Each person bears the responsibility—and will be judged accordingly—for their response to the gospel. Giving evidence of genuine faith and sincere repentance, baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ” (2:38) is a means for new disciples to pledge their allegiance to Christ. The gospel promises a new identity, a new way of being in the world. In Peter’s command, he is calling the crowd to identify themselves with Christ.

Biblical Principles. When the gospel message brings real conviction, faith and repentance are appropriate responses. In faith, we orient ourselves in allegiance to Christ. In repentance, we renounce our old ways of sin, lawlessness, and crooked living. While Jesus made salvation possible, people are only actually rescued from divine punishment when they receive the gospel in faith, turn from their sin in repentance, and identify themselves with Christ. As we learn from Peter’s own appeal, the matter is urgent. There are eternal consequences for our response to this gospel message. Each person will answer to God for how they responded to—or instead rejected, dismissed, or ignored—the gospel.

Baptism is a way for Christians to give public testimony of our response to the gospel. Baptism itself—being ritually submerged in water—has no magical power to save people. Without faith and repentance, baptism does not have spiritual value. Just experiencing a religious ritual of baptism is not Peter’s injunction in this passage. Rather, Peter is saying that people need to first repent of their sin and place their faith in Christ, and only subsequently get baptized as a means to signify their faith in Christ and repentance of sin. Along with other blessings, this act is a means to testify that believers have found new life and new identity in Christ.

The Promise Is for You: Bearing Witness to God’s Transforming Grace

Biblical Narrative (Acts 2:38–40). After instructing the crowd to pledge their full allegiance to Jesus, Peter explained the blessings and benefits that come with being a follower of Christ. In addition to having a new identity in Christ, Peter explained that those who rightly align themselves to Christ can receive “the forgiveness of [their] sins” (2:38). More than securing impersonal benefits in a mighty work of salvation, God gifts us with himself. For those who come to faith in Christ, they “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (2:38). The Holy Spirit is promised to people in all generations and cultures who will respond to Jesus in faith and repentance. God is calling people “to himself” (2:39). In this way, “all who are far off” (2:39) are brought near to God through the gift of the Holy Spirit._

Biblical Principles. By faith and repentance, disciples gain forgiveness of sins. Our blotted record of sin, lawlessness, and rebellion is wiped clean when we respond to Christ in genuine faith. No longer does God direct his wrathful judgment upon us sinners because he has satisfied this judgment by his Son, Jesus, dying on the cross. No longer estranged from God, disciples receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. God himself dwells within the believing Christian, bringing cleansing, renewal, empowerment, and nearness to God. Lost in an endless tide of temptations and sin, humanity is incapable of charting their course to God on their own. Instead, God paves the way of salvation through Jesus, and he takes the initiative to call his people to himself.

God’s grace brings a dynamic and enduring transformation in the lives of all who pledge their allegiance to Christ. Baptism is a means of giving public testimony to the ways in which God has changed our lives. Each person has a story. People who become disciples of Christ bear witness to the ways in which God has drastically altered the story of their lives. The moment of baptism is an ideal moment to make this life transformation known: how life is different when surrendered to Jesus. Only in Jesus can one have sins forgiven, reconciliation with God, and escape from divine wrath.

Those Who Received His Word: Making Public Profession of Faith

Biblical Narrative (Acts 2:41). The people baptized were “those who received [Peter’s] word” (2:41). This “word” encompasses the content of the gospel message (cf. 2:22–36) and the appeal to respond to the gospel (cf. 2:38–40). The word being an urgent appeal to receive the gospel, the members of the crowd who believed the good news about Jesus were baptized in water. The act of baptism was a visible way to make it public that they “received his word” and aligned themselves to Christ in faith._

Biblical Principles. Water baptism is a sign that one has placed faith in Christ. Faith is a necessary precursor to baptism. People do not get baptized to be saved; they get baptized because they have already been saved by faith in Christ. That is, they have already heeded Peter’s injunction to repent of sin and have already responded favorably to the gospel by receiving the good news in faith. Faith in God’s saving work is also the subject of baptism. It is a time for believers to publicly declare their allegiance to Christ and to attest to their salvation in Christ.

There Were Added: Joining the Community of Faith

Biblical Narrative (Acts 2:41). Thousands of people responded to Peter’s gospel appeal. The result of this mass conversion was that “there were added that day about three thousand souls” (2:41). Those who placed their faith in Christ not only identified themselves with Jesus (cf. 2:38), but they also entered into a deep relationship with other believers. The fact that they were “added” to the number of disciples shows that faith in Christ and baptism was a means of forming the group of believers into a community of faith. In fact, as the early church lives out this community life in devotion to Jesus (cf. 2:42–47), we learn that “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (2:47). In as much as responding to the gospel is an individual responsibility—each and “every one of you” must respond—it is also a communal reality—faith in Christ joins believers into a common faith community. Consequently, baptism was for the early church (and is for us today) an initiation rite through which believers become members of a body of believers._

Biblical Principles. The Christian life is not an individual venture. This will become very clear as we see the final scene of this story unfold (cf. 2:42–47). At this point, it is important to recognize that faith in Christ and baptism allow one to enter into a community of faith. Though this group came from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds (cf. 2:5–13), their common faith in Christ united them as one. It is no less true today. Through baptism, Christians from various ethnicities, generations, and social classes are united by faith in Christ. When Christians get baptized, they are confessing their belonging to this community of faith across time and culture. So powerful is Jesus’ work and so uniting is the presence of the Spirit that common faith in Christ brings us together into an otherwise inexplicable union with one another.

In Short: Public Commitment Through Christian Baptism

Sinful humans become Christian disciples when they repent from sin and place their faith in Christ. This commitment to Christ is expressed in baptism. For many reasons, the act of baptism is an important event in the formation of Christ’s followers. First, baptism is a public profession of faith in Christ (2:41). Baptism is a moment in the life of a disciple when new believers announce their allegiance to Christ in a noticeable and visible way. In itself, immersion in water cannot save a sinful human. On the contrary, baptism is for those who have already placed their faith in Christ. It is a recognition—to the person, their family, the church, and the world—that this person belongs to Jesus.

On a second important note, baptism establishes new disciples in the life of obedience (2:38). Peter (and Jesus!) command people to be baptized. Those who get baptized follow Christ’s instructions as an act of obedience. While no one is saved by following a set of religious rules, those who have placed their faith in Christ obey Christ’s teachings because they serve him as Lord and Savior. A primary test of genuine faith in Christ is whether a disciple is willing to do the things that Jesus commands. In this way, baptism is a means of believers rightly ordering the life of obedience—it comes subsequent to faith in Christ—and committing to live a lifestyle that is submissive to Jesus’ commands.

Third, baptism symbolizes the cleansing involved in the forgiveness of sins (2:38). As previously mentioned, the waters of baptism have no magical power to save a person. Instead, baptism is a symbolic act of washing that bears witness to the fact that a disciples’ sins have been forgiven and they no longer bear the shame or guilt of their sin. By going under water—a natural element used for cleansing—disciples symbolize (like bathing) purification of evil, wrongdoing, and rebellion. The sinful actions (and sinful condition) of fallen humanity are removed when people place their faith in Christ. No longer do Christians face the judgment and wrath of God. Instead, they are accepted as righteous before God. The use of a tangible medium such as water gives the symbolic act of baptism an ability to powerfully communicate the transformation that occurs when sinful humans become followers of Christ.

Considering a fourth meaning, baptism testifies one’s identification with Christ (2:38). Believers are baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ” (2:38) to show their allegiance and participation with Christ. Moreover, being baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) to show their belief and submission to the One God who eternally exists as being three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The very act of immersed in water in water symbolizes a dying and rising and again. Just as Jesus died and rose again, so too are believers given new life when they place faith in Christ. When people place their faith in Christ, their old sinful person has died and a new person has been given new life. Baptism is a means of representing the reality of new life that happens when a person places faith in Christ.

Last, baptism is a means of initiating new disciples into the community of faith (2:41). Commitment to Christ involves a commitment to other believers. The life of a disciple is to be lived in meaningful community with other Christ-followers. This faith community is a place of mutual care, timely support, ongoing encouragement, loving accountability, and shepherding care. While faith in Christ is what makes someone a disciple, baptism is a means of incorporating members into the body of Christ by confirming the faith of new disciples. In all, baptism gives disciples and churches a concrete and visible way to represent intangible and invisible spiritual realities.

Conclusion

In response to Peter’s gospel message, the crowd of listeners responded in massive numbers and in an appropriate manner. Experiencing deep conviction of sin, the crowd asked Peter how they should respond. Peter told them to repent, get baptized, align themselves with Christ, and receive the salvation offered in the gospel. He told them the blessings available for all who respond in genuine faith: forgiveness of sins, a new identity in Christ, the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, reconciliation with God, and escape from divine punishment. The crowd heeded Peter’s urgent appeal. They received the gospel in faith, renounced their former life of sin, were baptized, and joined the community of believers.

Peter’s instruction and the response of the crowd become instructive for us today. Not responding to the gospel amounts to a rejection of Jesus. Every person bears responsibility for how they will respond to the good news of the gospel. Dismissing the gospel will result in God’s righteous judgment; acceptance brings blessing, joy, and life only available from God’s gracious hand. God is calling people to be reconciled to himself through Christ. For those who reject Jesus, they face God’s wrath. For those who turn from sin and place their faith in the gospel, they enjoy God’s divine favor. A free gift that can only be received by surrendering one’s life to Christ, the promise of the gospel is available to any and all who will respond. For those who do respond, baptism is a visible way to acknowledge one’s guilt before God, renounce the life of sin, bear witness to God’s transforming grace, publicize one’s faith to the watching world, and join the family of believers. In the gospel, God is calling you to himself. How will you respond?

Session 2 Synopsis

Personal Reflection: Entering the Story

Apply the Text: Use the reflection questions to examine your life in light of this biblical passage. Then, follow the instructions for the Spiritual Practice as a way to apply the truth of this passage to your life.

Spiritual Practice: Bearing Witness

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.

The hand of faith when it opens to lay hold of Christ, drops the sin it had grasped before. You must part with your sin or Christ.

Jesus is calling us to follow him by fully surrendering our lives to his leading. When we surrender our lives to Christ in genuine faith, we come to enjoy spiritual blessings that God alone can provide: forgiveness of sins, identification with Christ, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, reconciled relationship with God, and salvation from divine judgment. These promises are available to those who have genuine faith in Christ. A sincere faith in Christ involves deep conviction of sin, sincere belief in the gospel, repentance and renunciation of evil, and belonging to the community of faith. These elements are integral to experiencing the new life that God offers. More than a casual offer for life improvement, God is calling people to return to himself and be saved from condemnation. The act of baptism is a means to express the multilayered implications of faith in Christ: returning to God and receiving his offer of salvation. Use the following exercise as a means to consider what it means to personally respond to Jesus in genuine faith.

Personal Testimony

Ministry Practice: Rehearsing the Script

Missional Outreach: Publicizing the Truth