What Are You Waiting For? #2 - Family Matters Awake Us Now podcast

What Are You Waiting For? #2 - Family Matters

4d ago 25:02

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Scripture: Mark 16:15, Acts 16:11-34.

Individuals matter to God, and so do families. In today’s study of God’s Word, we see entire households being baptized into the family of God.

God calls us to proclaim the Truth of the Message of Jesus, The Gospel of God. For today’s teaching let’s consider this frequently asked question:

Is baptism necessary for salvation? Answer: NO

BUT!

Is baptism necessary? Answer: YES

Baptism IS necessary but the Bible makes it clear it’s not necessary for salvation. Yet, it’s incredibly important.

Today’s story is of Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke in Philippi. In this city of retired Roman soldiers, there was evidently no synagogue in town, so on the Sabbath Day Paul and his group went to where people would be gathered. That was at the river outside of town and it was women that were gathered there. Paul’s team shared the gospel with the women and Lydia - a business woman - was there. God opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

After accepting Jesus as her Savior, she and her household (family, servants, employees) were baptized.

As the story progresses, Paul and Silas end up being thrown into jail after being flogged. They were held in irons around their ankles and how are they responding to this? It’s midnight and they are trusting God in this time of difficulty, praying and singing while the other prisoners and the jailer were listening.

Suddenly there was a violent earthquake causing the prison doors to fly open and the chains to fall off. The jailer woke and when he saw the prison doors were all open he drew his sword and was going to kill himself because he thought all the prisoners had escaped.

But instead this jailer’s life was spared in every way imaginable: Paul shouts for him not to hurt himself. The jailer calls for light to be brought in and he sees they are still in their cells and he says “what must I do to be saved?” The jailer sees something in Paul and Silas that he himself is lacking and he wants what they have: JESUS!

In Acts 16:31 we read, “And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then the jailer invites them to his house. Paul and Silas share the Gospel Message with him and his family and then the Bible text tells us that “immediately” he and his household were baptized. The jailer now has what Paul and Silas have - JESUS - and the jailer was filled with joy because he and his household came to believe in God.

Biblical Basics RE: Baptism

⁃ Baptism is not magic ⁃ Baptism is miraculous ⁃ Baptism is the beginning nt the end ⁃ Baptism is never delayed ⁃ Baptism is never restricted.

Baptism changes lives!

God wants His Gospel Message to reach households, the people nearest and dearest to us all. God desires all to be saved to come to a knowledge of the truth. He wants all to become followers of Jesus and be baptized into Him.

We are important to God, our families are important to God and He wants all to be part of His family, the Family of God because Family Matters!

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