Read 1 Peter 3:8-22
- “Do not repay reviling for reviling, but on the contrary bless.”
4 Principles of Trust when Suffering
- God will see us when we suffer
- God will hear us when we suffer
- God will bless us when we suffer
- God will use us when we suffer
An Example from History: Noah
- It was a time of darkness and rebellion
- Few believed, and few were saved
- Jesus is victorious over even the darkest of times
Baptism:
Baptism is an appeal to Jesus who alone can save you from your sin.
- It is an appeal that can also be translated “pledge.”
- It admits, “I need rescuing!”
- Baptism is both a public dedication and a personal prayer.
Baptism is a powerful confession of our faith.
- It looks back to Jesus’ death, burial resurrection.
- It looks forward to our own physical death, burial, resurrection.
Baptism is a physical picture of a spiritual reality.
- We proclaim our repentance and are washed.
- We die to self and are raised to a new life in Christ (Rom 6)
Baptism is not an action, but a passive submission and participation.
- We “are” baptized.
- We cannot do this without Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- We cannot do this without the church.
Read: Acts 2:38-40