1. Hope and a NEW LIFE: BAPTISM Hope and a NEW LIFE: BAPTISMhope for today Please click to watch the intro video for this section located at: http://vimeo.com/62691985

2. hope for today KEY TEXT: Acts 2:37-38 “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” SECTION 1 Repentance Hope and a NEW LIFE: BAPTISM FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 3:13-15

3. hope for today CONSIDER: Did Jesus need to repent, turn to God, and enter into baptism? No, not at all. He is the sinless One, the Savior. But Jesus went to John for baptism “to fulfill all righteousness.” This means He wanted to set an example for us. Since Jesus went through the experience of baptism, shouldn’t we joyfully follow in His footsteps and also be baptized? DISCUSS: What does it imply to say that repentance means turning away from our old life and turning toward the new life God offers us? SECTION 1 Repentance Hope and a NEW LIFE: BAPTISM

4. SECTION 2 Believing in Jesus hope for today KEY TEXT: Acts 16:31 “So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” FURTHER STUDY: John 3:36; John 6:47 Hope and a NEW LIFE: BAPTISM

5. hope for today CONSIDER: No name other than that of Jesus enables our salvation. Hence Paul and Silas could tell the jailer in Philippi: “Believe in Jesus and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31 DISCUSS: How important is it to believe Jesus is our Savior? Hope and a NEW LIFE: BAPTISM SECTION 2 Believing in Jesus

6. SECTION 3 Baptism hope for today KEY TEXT: Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Hope and a NEW LIFE: BAPTISM FURTHER STUDY: Romans 6:1-4; Matthew 3:16-17

7. hope for today CONSIDER: As we follow the footsteps of Jesus into baptism, God is present to bless just as He was at Jesus’ baptism. He says, “My son, my daughter, with you I am well pleased.” And the Holy Spirit comes upon us as He came upon Jesus. We then follow Christ’s command to go, teach, and baptize. The prerequisite of belief requires, of course, that we be mature enough to understand and accept Jesus. Obviously infant baptism wouldn’t be viable. SECTION 3 Baptism Hope and a NEW LIFE: BAPTISM

8. hope for today DISCUSS: If the word “baptize” means to immerse, what does this imply? Is baptism like a death and resurrection? Is it a public confession of our belief? Is it the badge that confers our identity? SECTION 3 Baptism Hope and a NEW LIFE: BAPTISM

9. INVITATION hope for today Through the portal of baptism we enter publicly upon a new life in Jesus. What a God! What a Savior! What provision for our salvation! How can we refuse such love? Hope and a NEW LIFE: BAPTISM