Online Sermons
Lesson #17 – Preaching Jesus is Preaching Baptism
Series: Baptism 101 - What The Bible Says About BaptismLesson #17 – Preaching Jesus is Preaching Baptism
THE MINISTRY OF PHILIP
Philip first appears on the scene in the New Testament in Acts 6:1-7.
This Philip is not one of the twelve (apostles), but one of the seven (servants).
He is one of “the seven” appointed by the apostles to help feed the Grecian widows.
Waiting on tables is a means of evangelism - - cf. vs.7
Philip was one of those “scattered” by the persecutions of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 8:1-4).
Acts 8:5a states that “Philip went down to the city of Samaria…”
Acts 8:5b says, “(he) began proclaiming Christ to them”
What is entailed in preaching Christ?
Acts 8:12 notes4 when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom
of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.
What was the content of Philip’s message?
While we do not have a text of Philip’s actual message, it is not difficult to connect the dots.
Philip’s preaching shows clearly that “preaching Jesus/Christ equals preaching baptism.”
To preach/teach Christ is a call for commitment - - to die with Christ in the waters of baptism.
Read Acts 8:5 & 12 together - - he preached Christ and when they believed they were baptized.
Acts 8:26-40 provides the story of the conversion of the Ethiopian treasurer.
What Old Testament text was the treasurer studying?
Read select verses from Isaiah 53.
Acts 8:35 states4 beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him…
As to how long or how detailed this study session was, one cannot say, but notice vs.36:
As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said,
‘Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?’
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION ?
1) In preaching from Isaiah 53, how did they end up on the topic of baptism?
2) What was Philip’s basis for teaching the necessity of baptism?
Such was taught by Jesus (Jn.3:22 & 26 and Mt.28:19-20).
Such was taught by Peter and the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37-38 & 41).
Such is taught throughout the book of Acts (Acts 10:48 and 16:14-15 & 16:30-33).
