Acts 19: Immersed

Finding True Life Change Through Immersion in Christ

When we think about baptism, we often focus on the physical act of immersion in water. But baptism represents something much deeper - a permanent change that happens when we are immersed in Christ.

What Does Baptism Really Mean?

The Greek word "baptizo" gives us important insight into what baptism truly means. A Greek historian's pickle recipe helps us understand this concept. In the recipe, vegetables are first dipped (bapto) in boiling water temporarily, but then baptized (baptizo) in vinegar solution, which produces a permanent change.

This illustrates an important truth: baptism isn't just about getting wet - it's about being transformed. When we baptize someone, we believe a permanent spiritual change occurs. As Romans 6:3-4 tells us:

"Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may have new life."

Is Baptism Just About Salvation?

When we focus solely on the question "At what point was someone saved?" we can miss the deeper message of what God wants to do in our lives. The gospel offers so much more than just guilt remission or a ticket to heaven.

God wants to create such a drastic change in us that:

1. We get a new name

2. We receive a new purpose

3. People can "smell Jesus" on us

When we truly meet Jesus, we can't go back to our old ways. It would be like being cured of cancer and then asking for the cancer back. True immersion in Christ creates in us a desire for freedom and new life that makes our old life unappealing.

What Does Jesus Really Offer Us?

In John 3, Jesus talks about being "born again" and entering the "kingdom of God." He's not just talking about going to heaven someday - He's talking about a new life that begins now.

Jesus offers us the chance to:

1. Shed our old life

2. Be made new

3. Be freed from destructive patterns

4. Experience eternal life beginning now

When Paul baptized the twelve disciples in Acts 19, he wasn't just baptizing them to save them from hell. He was baptizing them because he knew that through the power of the Spirit, they would be made new. Their lives would be so changed that they would go on to share this gift with others, who would then share it with more people.

What Are You Immersing Yourself In?

Here's a simple truth: what we immerse ourselves in will change us. We become like the things we immerse ourselves in.

Ask yourself:

1. What am I immersing my life, time, and energy in?

2. Where do I go when I'm sad or tired?

3. What do I turn to when I have a bad day?

These questions reveal what we're truly immersed in. Jesus offers to be the one who makes the best change in us.

One man shared how he had immersed himself in video game culture as a young husband and father. He had money and few responsibilities, so he poured himself into games. When he felt like he couldn't win in life, he would escape to video games to feel successful.

One day, he realized he didn't like what he saw in his life, despite being a believer who had been baptized and was even in full-time ministry. Jesus spoke to him: "Abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branch. I will give you everything you're looking for."

He sold all his video games and immersed himself in Christ instead. The result? He became a better father, husband, and pastor because he stopped yoking himself to worldly things and immersed himself in Christ.

How Do We Immerse Ourselves in Christ?

Immersing ourselves in Christ requires:

1. Faith - believing in Jesus

2. Repentance - turning away from sin

3. Baptism - dying to self and rising to new life

4. Receiving the Holy Spirit - gaining power for change

5. Daily immersion - continuing to abide in Christ

This isn't about trying harder to be better. It's about relying on Jesus through faith, repentance, and the power of the Holy Spirit. As Titus 3:4-5 reminds us:

"When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing and rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

How Can We Help Each Other Stay Immersed?

We weren't meant to walk this journey alone. We need each other to stay immersed in Christ:

1. Join a small group where you can be honest about your struggles

2. Find accountability partners who will help you repent

3. Immerse yourself in God's Word daily

4. Use reading plans to stay consistent

One person shared how they were struggling with their faith and wondering if God was really there. Before they could meet with a pastor, they talked with their small group, who helped them through their doubts. That's the power of community!

Life Application

The invitation is clear: immerse yourself in Christ daily, not just in a one-time baptism experience. Jesus offers real change, freedom from sin, and a new life - but it requires ongoing immersion.

This week, ask yourself:

1. What am I currently immersing myself in that might be keeping me from experiencing the change God wants for me?

2. How can I intentionally immerse myself in Christ through His Word, prayer, and community?

3. Is there an area of my life where I need to repent and turn back to God?

4. Who can I invite to walk alongside me in this journey of immersion?

Remember, what we immerse ourselves in will change us. Choose to be immersed in Christ, and watch how He transforms you from the inside out.

Acts 18: False Teachers

How to Handle False Teaching in the Church: Lessons from Acts 18

When someone teaches something incorrectly in the church, how should we respond? This question has challenged believers for centuries, and the Bible provides us with clear guidance on approaching these delicate situations with both truth and grace.

What Does False Teaching Look Like in the Church?

False teaching isn't always obvious. Sometimes it's not completely wrong but simply incomplete. In Acts 18, we meet Apollos, a learned man with thorough knowledge of the Scriptures who "spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only of the baptism of John" (Acts 18:24-25).

Apollos had most of the picture right - he understood Jesus was the Messiah and could prove it from Scripture. However, he was missing key components about baptism in Jesus' name and the gift of the Holy Spirit. His teaching wasn't heretical, just incomplete.

How Should We Respond to Incorrect Teaching?

When Priscilla and Aquila - tentmakers, not theological scholars - heard Apollos teaching, they didn't:

1. Send an angry email

2. Publicly shame him

3. Wait years to confront him

4. Post criticisms on social media

5. Talk about him behind his back

Instead, "they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately" (Acts 18:26). Their approach teaches us several important principles:

1. They created a safe space - inviting him into their home, not confronting him publicly

2. They approached with humility - not as superior critics but as fellow believers

3. They focused on building up, not tearing down - their goal was to equip him better

4. They recognized his value - they saw his potential and wanted to enhance his ministry

What Makes Teaching Spirit-Filled and Accurate?

From Apollos, we learn several characteristics of good teaching:

1. Accuracy

Good teaching is grounded in Scripture and presents truth accurately. Apollos was "a learned man with thorough knowledge of the Scriptures" who taught "accurately" what he knew.

2. Passion

Apollos "spoke with great fervor" - the original language suggests boiling water, indicating energy and excitement. Good teaching isn't dry or monotonous but conveys the excitement of the gospel.

3. Humility

Despite his education and eloquence, Apollos was humble enough to receive correction from tentmakers. Good teachers remain teachable, recognizing that God can speak through anyone.

4. Spirit-Filled Focus

Spirit-filled teaching always points to Jesus. If Jesus isn't central to the message, it's not Spirit-filled teaching. The Holy Spirit's role is to move people toward Jesus and build up the church.

5. Life Change

Good teaching produces fruit - changed lives and strengthened believers. After receiving correction, Apollos "was a great help to those who by grace had believed" (Acts 18:27).

When Should We Confront False Teaching?

The passage shows two different approaches:

1. With opponents of Jesus: Public debate is sometimes necessary (Acts 18:28)

2. With fellow believers: Private, gracious correction is the way (Acts 18:26)

When dealing with fellow believers who love Jesus but have incomplete understanding, we should prioritize unity while gently correcting. As Ephesians 4:2-6 reminds us: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Why Unity Matters in Doctrinal Disagreements

Jesus prayed for unity among believers "so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:21). Our unity is a powerful testimony to the truth of the gospel.

When we quarrel about words, Scripture warns that it "is of no value and only ruins those who listen" (2 Timothy 2:14). Many people have walked away from faith not because of Jesus but because of how His followers treat each other.

Life Application

How can we apply these principles in our own lives?

1. Examine your response to disagreement: When you encounter teaching you disagree with from fellow believers, do you respond more like Priscilla and Aquila or with public criticism?

2. Prioritize unity in essentials: Ask yourself - does this person believe Jesus is the Son of God and the only way to salvation? If so, approach disagreements with grace, recognizing you're talking to family.

3. Create safe spaces for dialogue: Instead of distant criticism, invite people closer for meaningful conversation about Scripture.

4. Check your motives: Are you more concerned with being right or with building up the body of Christ?

5. Focus outward: Instead of spending energy arguing with fellow believers about minor points, redirect that passion toward reaching those who don't know Jesus at all.

Questions to Consider:

1. Is there a fellow believer or church I've been critical of that I need to approach with more grace?

2. Am I more focused on winning theological arguments or on building unity in the body of Christ?

3. How can I create safe spaces for honest dialogue about Scripture without damaging relationships?

4. In what ways might I need to be more humble and open to correction in my own understanding?

Remember, our unity as believers is not just a nice ideal—it's a powerful testimony to the world about the reality of Jesus Christ.

Acts 18: Understanding God's Will

Finding God's Will: How to Know and Follow His Direction

Have you ever had to make a decision where you weren't 100% sure it was the right one? Perhaps a job change, a relationship commitment, or relocating your family? These pivotal moments leave us wondering: How can we know God's will for our lives? How can we be confident we're following His direction and not just our own desires?

When Even Biblical Heroes Struggled with God's Will

Moses, before becoming God's chosen deliverer, tried to take matters into his own hands. He killed an Egyptian who was abusing an Israelite, thinking this was how God would use him to deliver His people. But when his actions were discovered, Moses fled into the wilderness for 40 years.

Even after God clearly spoke to him through the burning bush, Moses made excuses: "Who am I that I should go? What if the Israelites won't listen? I don't speak well." Despite hearing God's direct call, Moses struggled to accept God's will for his life.

Paul's Journey and Discerning God's Direction

In Acts 18, we find Paul completing his second missionary journey. In Corinth, amazing things were happening—Paul had met Aquila and Priscilla, worked as a tentmaker, and preached in the synagogue. When opposition arose, he moved his ministry elsewhere, and many Corinthians came to Christ.

The text mentions something curious: "Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken." Why would Luke include this detail? Paul had taken a Nazarite vow, which involved refraining from wine, not cutting his hair, and avoiding uncleanness. This vow, rooted in Old Testament tradition, would have opened doors for Paul to reach his Jewish brothers and sisters.

Paul explained his approach in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23: "Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible... I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."

How Did Paul Know What Was God's Will?

When Paul arrived in Ephesus, the people asked him to stay longer, but he declined, saying, "I will come back if it is God's will." How did he know it wasn't God's will to remain in Ephesus when the people were receptive to his message?

The Chess Game Analogy

Think of God's will like a chess game. A beginner might focus on taking as many pieces as possible, but the true point of the game is the king. Similarly, what God orchestrates in our lives is bigger than our individual situations

By the time each player in chess has moved just five pieces, there are 69.3 trillion (TRILLION!) unique move sequences possible. Now imagine what God is orchestrating with billions of people, each with countless possible actions!

When We Miss God's Will

There are times when we wonder if we've missed God's calling, when we question if we recognized His will correctly. There are also times when we leap ahead of God, taking matters into our own hands like Moses did.

But we can find comfort in Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Even when we miss God's will, He can work our missteps into something beautiful that glorifies Him and furthers His kingdom.

How Does God Reveal His Will to Us?

Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us: "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son."

Many of us pray things like, "Lord, stop me if I'm wrong and bless me if I'm right" or "Close the door if it isn't your will." But that's not the biblical example.

If we want to know God's will, we must cultivate a loving relationship with Him. God wants to be known. He wants us to know:

1. Him

2. His purposes

3. His ways

God Reveals Himself

When God speaks to us, He often reveals something about Himself that's exactly what we need in that moment:

1. To Abraham at 99 years old, still childless despite God's promise: "I am God Almighty" (Genesis 17:1)

2. To Jesus' followers facing persecution: "I am the living bread... whoever eats this bread will live forever" (John 6:51)

God Reveals His Purposes

God wants us to know what He plans to do. When God came to Noah, He didn't ask, "What do you want me to do?" He revealed what He was about to do—destroy the world in a flood—and invited Noah to join Him.

As Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

God Reveals His Ways

God's ways are different from our ways (Isaiah 55:8). His ways will always draw people into a loving relationship with Him. They are redemptive.

When Jesus told His disciples to feed 5,000 people, their solution was to send everyone home. Jesus' way was to have the people sit down, bless what little food they had, and perform a miracle.

How God Invites Us to Join Him

God invites us to join Him in four primary ways:

1. Through the Holy Spirit

Many struggle with aligning with God's will because they haven't received the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit. As Peter said in Acts 2:38, "Repent and be baptized... and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

We can't live according to God's will on our own strength. We must first die to ourselves by joining Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection.

2. Through God's Word

The Bible is "God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If we want to know God's will, we should start by studying His Word.

You cannot live consistently according to God's will if you are not consistently in His Word.

3. Through Prayer

When we seek God for wisdom, He opens the floodgates. As Paul wrote in Colossians 1:9, "We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives."

4. Through Circumstances

Rather than choosing a direction and asking God to close doors if it's wrong, God opens doors and invites us through them. Sometimes He gives us just one step at a time, opening one door after another as we follow Him.

5. Through Fellow Believers

Though God's Word prepares our hearts, it's often the call from a brother or sister in Christ that gets us off the bench and into the game.

This is why it's important not just to attend church but to participate actively with fellow believers who know us well enough to speak God's will into our lives.

Jesus: The Embodiment of God's Will

Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's will for us. As John 14:6-7 says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

If you want to know the will of God, come to Jesus. If you want to align yourself with that will, make Him your focus.

Hebrews 12:1-3 encourages us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith," who endured the cross and now sits at God's right hand.

Life Application

This week, consider these questions to help align yourself with God's will:

1. Am I actively cultivating a relationship with God through His Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers?

2. Where might I be trying to figure out God's will on my own terms rather than seeking Him first?

3. Is there an area where I've been asking God to "close the door if it's not Your will" instead of waiting for Him to open a door?

4. How can I better fix my eyes on Jesus this week, making Him my focus rather than my circumstances?

5. Is there a door God has opened that I've been hesitant to walk through?

Remember, God's will isn't complicated—He wants you to know Him, His purposes, and His ways. Like a chess game, it's not about your individual moves but about the King and His ultimate plan. Trust that even when you feel uncertain, God is orchestrating something beautiful through your life as you seek to follow Him.

2nd Thessalonians 2: The Enemies Lie

Standing Firm Against Deception: Recognizing the Enemy's Lies

In a world filled with deception, how can we stand firm in our faith? The enemy is constantly working to pull us away from Christ with the same old lie he's been using since the Garden of Eden. Understanding this deception is crucial for every believer who wants to remain steadfast in their faith.

What is the greatest deception we face as Christians?

Paul warns in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 about "the coming of the lawless one" who "will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie." This isn't just any lie—it's "the lie" that Satan has been telling since the beginning.

The enemy's deception is powerful. Jesus Himself warned in Matthew 24:24 that "false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." This should give us pause. The deception will be so convincing that even devoted followers of Christ could potentially be led astray.

What is "the lie" that Satan tells?

When we examine Scripture, we see a consistent pattern in Satan's deception. From the Garden of Eden to Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, the enemy's core lie remains the same:

You can get what you want without God.

In Genesis, Satan told Eve she could gain wisdom without following God's instructions. To Jesus, he offered kingship without the cross. The lie always suggests there's a shortcut to what we desire—a way to achieve it without submitting to God's way.

This lie manifests in our lives when we think:

1. "I can find happiness my own way"

2. "I don't need to follow God's design for relationships"

3. "I can create my own purpose and meaning"

4. "I can achieve financial security through my own means"

How does God respond to those who believe the lie?

In 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, Paul writes something troubling: "For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness."

This doesn't mean God actively deceives people. Rather, as Romans 1:28 explains, God "gives them over" to their chosen path. Like the father of the prodigal son who allowed his son to leave with his inheritance, God sometimes lets people experience the full consequences of rejecting Him.

God doesn't force Himself on anyone. He respects our free will, even when we use it to walk away from Him. But the door to return is always open through Jesus Christ, who is "pleased to give life to all who seek him" (John 5:21).

How can we stand firm against deception?

Paul gives clear instructions in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 on how to stand firm:

1. Remember you are loved by God - You are "loved by the Lord" and "chosen" by Him

2. Believe in the truth - The gospel is the truth that saves us

3. Hold fast to sound teaching - Cling to what you've been taught from God's Word

Those who are truly founded on Christ don't need new revelations or miraculous signs to validate their faith. They've already found everything they need in Jesus. When someone claims to have discovered a new truth or a different path, believers who are firmly rooted in Christ recognize that nothing needs to be added to what they already have in Him.

Why is Jesus the answer to every deception?

Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). When we make Him the center of our lives, everything else comes into focus:

1. Want better relationships? Jesus teaches us how to love unconditionally.

2. Worried about your future? Jesus shows us how to prioritize and trust God.

3. Seeking purpose? Jesus gives our lives eternal significance.

Whatever you're looking for in life, start with Christ, and everything will come into proper perspective. The enemy will always try to convince you that you can find what you want apart from God, but it's the same old lie from the same old liar.

Life Application

The storms of life will come to everyone. We're either currently in a storm or preparing for the next one. How we live between storms determines how we'll stand when they arrive.

This week, examine your life for areas where you might be believing "the lie" that you can get what you want without following God's way:

1. What do you want most in life right now? Is it happiness, good relationships, financial stability, or purpose?

2. How are you trying to achieve it? Are you following God's instructions or looking for shortcuts?

3. Where do you turn for answers? When facing difficult questions, do you look to God's Word first, or do you seek worldly wisdom?

4. Are you delighting in things that don't honor God? Even "small" compromises can open the door to deception.

Make Jesus your firm foundation by spending time in His Word daily, surrounding yourself with believers who will speak truth into your life, and bringing your sin into the light through confession and accountability.

Remember: Everything you could possibly want, dream for, or imagine has already been given to you if you're in Christ Jesus. Stand firm on this truth, and no deception will be able to shake you.

What is a Christian - Week 4 - Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus? Understanding His True Identity and Impact

Jesus is more than just a historical figure or religious teacher - He is the only way to truly see God, understand our world, and know ourselves. This profound truth has implications for every aspect of our lives.

How Does Jesus Help Us See God?

The Bible describes Jesus as "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). While many claim to know God, Scripture teaches that we can only truly know and see God through Jesus Christ. When Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, Jesus responded that anyone who has seen Him has seen the Father.

What Makes Jesus Different from Other Religious Figures?

Unlike other prophets or teachers, Jesus claimed to be God Himself. He stated "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). This bold claim sets Jesus apart - He didn't just point to God, He claimed to be God in human form.

How Does Jesus Help Us Understand the World?

According to John 1:1-3, Jesus (referred to as "the Word") was present at creation and all things were made through Him. This means that to truly understand our world - including relationships, purpose, ethics, and morality - we must view it through the lens of Christ. Without this perspective, we're like someone trying to navigate life without glasses when they need them.

What Does Jesus Reveal About Our Identity?

We cannot fully understand ourselves outside of Christ. Colossians 2:9-10 teaches that "in Christ all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form" and through Him we are "brought to fullness." Our true identity and purpose can only be found through relationship with Jesus.

Life Application

This week, consider how you view God, the world, and yourself. Are you trying to navigate life without the clear vision that comes through knowing Jesus? Here are some questions to reflect on:

1. Do you truly know who Jesus is, or are you relying on others' opinions?

2. Are you viewing your relationships, purpose, and challenges through the lens of Christ?

3. Have you allowed Jesus to reveal your true identity, or are you still trying to define yourself?

Take time this week to get to know Jesus better through reading the Gospels, joining a Bible study group, or simply talking to Him in prayer. Remember - blessed are those who believe without seeing.