Listen to this devotion
New Life in Christ
In the Word
… and went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39b).
Of the Word
When an adult is baptized in church, it draws the attention of the entire congregation. A mature person is receiving the Sacrament that many individuals received as babies and remember only through photos or videos.
Luke records for us an inspiring account of an adult baptism in Acts chapter eight. The disciple Philip encounters an Ethiopian official returning from worship in Jerusalem. Philip overhears the man reading from Isaiah and offers to discuss it with him. That discussion leads to the Good News of Jesus, which in turn leads to the Ethiopian’s Baptism. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the man … went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39b).
To anyone caught in the pain and hopelessness of sin, the Good News of salvation through the death and resurrection of our Savior is life changing. The gift of Baptism, washing away of the “old self” and receiving the new life in Christ, is a true transformation by water and the Word. The adult recipient as well as those who witness it can go on their way rejoicing!
Walking with my Lord
Jesus, I rejoice daily in my Baptism and the new life it gives to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Everyday Celebrations. Authors: Elaine Bickel and Jan Struck. 23/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40195
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
