1. Acts 8 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil [a] spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.a

2. Acts 8 12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.

3. Acts 8 14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

4. Baptism and the Holy Spirit Rick Wright 1 st Sunday after Epiphany (Baptism) Church of the Nations

5. Different Theologies of Baptism Baptism savesBaptism as symbol Baptize adults (believers) (1) Church of Christ (3) Baptists / Pentecostals Baptize babies (children of believers) (2) Catholic / Orthodox / Anglican? / Lutheran? / Presbyterian? / Methodist? (4) Anglican? / Presbyterian? / Methodist?

6. Baptism according to Baptist Christians A symbol An outward/physical sign(?) of something that is inward/spiritual Person is already a Christian Baptism proclaims publicly what has already happened

7. A third understanding??? James McClendon: baptism is an “effectual sign” It does not save – but it does something Our story joins with and becomes part of(?) the story of Jesus

8. Acts 8 (and Luke 3) Philip visits Samaria and proclaims Jesus to Samaritan people Samaritans are different (culture and religion) They believe and are baptized! They do not have the Holy Spirit??? Baptism of Jesus… Holy Spirit… the Father Several stories about baptism in book of Acts Some are strange and different

9. What is Acts 8 trying to say??? Jesus Christ the son of God is not only for one group of people – First Christians are Jewish – All peoples are welcome! People who believe in Jesus… Are baptized Receive the Holy Spirit Become part of one Christian church Belong to God