The 11th Commandment
Gentile Pentecost & Baptism
Sunday September 17th, 2017 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui
Acts 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days (Acts 10:44-48).
Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it (Habakkuk 2:2).
Our goals and Vision for 2017/2018
- 1. A church that is great at sharing the gospel
- 2. A church that is great at sharing faith and changing lives (15 conversion)
- 3. A church that is great at welcoming and discipling new believers (15 Baptism)
Our vision is to create a culture of sharing the gospel and sharing our faith.
This sermon series is our "Culture Audit." This is to ensure that we do not lead from our "Habitual Culture."
Do you remember your baptism? Let me paint you three pictures:
Baptism Is An Act of Entering into A Community (God's Community)
CORNELIUS THE CENTURION AND THE GENTILE PENTECOST
- The faith of Cornelius found favor with God
- The generosity of Cornelius reminds God of His covenant with Abraham
- The prayer of Cornelius activated God's blessing to the nations
God remembers the covenant He made with Abraham because of the faith of Cornelius
"Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God (Acts 10:4)
NAMAAN THE COMMANDER BRIDGING NATIONS
- The washing and healing of Namaan-
- Is an act of faith
- Is an act of obedience
- Is an act of entering into God's community
God's compassion is to not bound to a nation and boundaries, His compassion is beyond borders, language and culture
Baptism can bridge nations.
"Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from your servant" (2 Kings 5:15)
- Baptism Is An Act of Faith
- Baptism Is An Act of Obedience
- Baptism Is An Act of Entering the Community
- Immersing in faith and emerging in power
- Immersing to die and emerging to live
- Immersing self and emerging with Christ
FOUR BIBLICAL TRUTHS ON BAPTISM
- 1. BAPTISM BY FIRE AND WATER IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-2) - 2. BAPTISM BY HOLY SPIRIT AND FIRE
John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16). - 3. BAPTISM FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.For he who has died has been freed from sin.Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:4-8 & 27-28) - 4. BAPTISM INTO THE BODY (THE COMMUNITY)
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free -- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13)