1.In Acts 1:8, Jesus gave the apostles a specific plan for evangelizing the world. 2.As Luke showed how this plan was implemented in Acts, he wrote about a number of conversions that occurred. 3.Studying these conversions helps us understand how we become Christians today. 4.Luke also wrote in Acts about a number of important subjects that relate to salvation, including "baptism."
A.We learn from Matthew 28:18-20 that baptism: 1.is a command of Christ who has "all power" [authority] 2.is for "all nations" [everyone] 3.is "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" 4.is to be administered "unto the end of the world." B.We learn from Mark 16:15-16 that baptism: 1.is for those who believe (Acts 8:36-38) 2.results in salvation.
A.the 3,000 in Jerusalem on Pentecost (2:37-38, 41) B.people in Samaria (8:12) C.the eunuch of Ethiopia (8:38) D.Saul (9:18; 22:16) E.Cornelius and his household (10:48) F.Lydia and her household (16:14-15) G.the Philippian jailer (16:33) H.the Corinthians (18:8) I.the 12 men in Ephesus (19:5).
A.(Romans 6:3-7) We are "freed from sin" when we are baptized into the Lord. B.(1 Corinthians 12:13) We are baptized "into one body" [the church -- Ephesians 1:22-23]. C.(Galatians 3:26-27) When we are "baptized into Christ," we become "children of God," we "put on Christ," and we become Abraham's spiritual descendants. D.(Ephesians 4:5) There is only "one baptism." E.(Colossians 2:12) We are "buried with him [Christ] in baptism." F.(1 Peter 3:21) We are saved when we are scripturally baptized.
