Personal foundations (B)
Focus on Faith and Baptism
In Acts 2:38-39 we read about the day of Pentacost in Jerusalem. Peter, speaking to the Jews, replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
REVEAL ANSWER for the REVEAL ANSWER . And you will receive the gift of the REVEAL ANSWER . The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”In Acts 10:44-48 we read about what happened in Caesarea in the home of Cornelius, a Gentile. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Question 1
Do you think that new Christians should be baptized even if they don’t feel like it?
Question 2
Was the promise of the Spirit only meant for New Testament believers in Jesus’ time on earth or does it apply to you too?
Question 3
If you haven’t been baptized as a believer, ask people in your group about their baptism experience. What did they tell?
Acts 8:14-20 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
Question 4
Simon thought the Holy Spirit can be bought for money, while we have learned that to receive the Holy Spirit requires a step-by-step spiritual preparation. Review all the steps and examine yourself. What do you write down about this?
Question 5
Based on the Scriptures and/or your own experience, is baptism in the Spirit a definite experience? And how would you know?
Question 6
Is there any field in your life that you are longing for the Holy Spirit to enter? Share and pray with your group members. What would you write about this?
To have a firm foundation for your Christian life, review and understand the four important elements.
What do you think about the statements below?Question 7a
*Repentance* is a foundation that shapes the rest of my Christian life. If/when I sin, I need to return to repentance again.
Question 7b
*Faith* is making a choice to believe what God says in His Word.
Question 7c
*Baptism in water* is a declaration of repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ.
Question 7d
*Baptism in the Holy Spirit* (or being filled with the Holy Spirit) is an essential foundation to living a victorious Christian life.
Save this discussion sheet by emailing it to your own e-mail address; press the EMAIL button.
Close in prayer.
Focus on Faith and Baptism
In Acts 2:38-39 we read about the day of Pentacost in Jerusalem. Peter, speaking to the Jews, replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
REVEAL ANSWER for the REVEAL ANSWER . And you will receive the gift of the REVEAL ANSWER . The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”In Acts 10:44-48 we read about what happened in Caesarea in the home of Cornelius, a Gentile. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Question 1
Do you think that new Christians should be baptized even if they don’t feel like it?
Question 2
Was the promise of the Spirit only meant for New Testament believers in Jesus’ time on earth or does it apply to you too?
Question 3
If you haven’t been baptized as a believer, ask people in your group about their baptism experience. What did they tell?
Acts 8:14-20 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
Question 4
Simon thought the Holy Spirit can be bought for money, while we have learned that to receive the Holy Spirit requires a step-by-step spiritual preparation. Review all the steps and examine yourself. What do you write down about this?
Question 5
Based on the Scriptures and/or your own experience, is baptism in the Spirit a definite experience? And how would you know?
Question 6
Is there any field in your life that you are longing for the Holy Spirit to enter? Share and pray with your group members. What would you write about this?
To have a firm foundation for your Christian life, review and understand the four important elements.
What do you think about the statements below?Question 7a
*Repentance* is a foundation that shapes the rest of my Christian life. If/when I sin, I need to return to repentance again.
Question 7b
*Faith* is making a choice to believe what God says in His Word.
Question 7c
*Baptism in water* is a declaration of repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ.
Question 7d
*Baptism in the Holy Spirit* (or being filled with the Holy Spirit) is an essential foundation to living a victorious Christian life.
Save this discussion sheet by emailing it to your own e-mail address; press the EMAIL button.
Close in prayer.