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January 8, 2020

Jesus’ Baptism and Ours

E. Glenn Hinson   |   Read Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43

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Lectionary Week
January 6–12, 2020
Scripture Overview

__URCMS_SCRIPTUREOVERVIEW__

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Isaiah 42:1-9. What does it mean for Jesus to be a Servant Messiah? In what ways does God suffer with or for you?
Read Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14. As children of God, we are called to reflect God’s righteousness. How do you defend the poor and deliver the needy?
Read Acts 10:34-43. Consider the author’s proposal that those who fear God and do what is right may include people of other faiths. What would this mean for your faith and your relationships with those of other faiths?
Read Matthew 3:13-17. Remember your baptism. Did you make the decision to be baptized or did someone else make the decision for you? How does remembering your baptism guide you to do what God wants?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43

34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. 35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all! 37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism John preached. 38 You know about Jesus of Nazareth, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and endowed with power. Jesus traveled around doing good and healing everyone oppressed by the devil because God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of everything he did, both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him up on the third day and allowed him to be seen, 41 not by everyone but by us. We are witnesses whom God chose beforehand, who ate and drank with him after God raised him from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Devout Jewish Christians find it hard to believe that God accepts people into the Christian fold without the Jewish requirements for admission—baptism for all and circumcision for males. One of Jesus’ most dedicated followers, Simon Peter, is among the skeptical. It takes a dramatic dream to change his mind.

When...

O God, liberate us from conceptions and ideas that make you smaller than you are, and open our minds to praise you for mercy wide enough to include all people as your children. Amen.


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