Shepherd’s Storybook I–7
The next morning Mr. Wise returns to Learner’s house. Soon after, Mr. Foolish appears at the door holding several bright colored, floppy things with feathers. “Learner, buy a hat for your wife Sara!”
Learner laughs. “We have something more important to talk about than feathers. My family and I are obeying Jesus. I hope you will also, Mr. Foolish.”
“I have thought about it. I follow Him in my own way. Do not get too fanatical about it, Learner. Some people say that all you have to do to go to heaven is believe in Jesus. Nothing more. I shall do that.”
“I said we will also obey Him.”
“You cannot. He said to love even your enemies. That is crazy!”
Mr. Wise disagrees. “No. Belief is only the start. God wants you to confirm your trust with simple obedience. The story of the Ethiopian Government Worker will help you all to understand.”
Please find in Acts 8:26-38:
Who did the Ethiopian read about in the Old Testament scriptures, which were written hundreds of years before Christ was born?
What things did those scriptures from the Old Testament predict about Jesus?
What
did the Ethiopian do to show that he believed in Jesus?
Mr. Wise explains to Learner, Sara and Mr. Foolish, as they sit in Learner’s house: “The Scripture that the Ethiopian read was Isaiah 53. It was written centuries before Jesus was born, but it told what Jesus would do. It said that we are like sheep that have wandered off from God in our sin. We deserve death, but Jesus took all our sin, our illness, our suffering, and our death on His own shoulders. Because He suffered and died, we are freed from sin and death.”
Sara brings coffee and Mr. Wise continues to explain: “The Ethiopian believed in what Jesus had done for him. To show his faith, he immediately asked Philip to baptize him there near the road, where he had seen water. Baptism shows that the Holy Spirit has united us with Christ in His death, as Colossians 2:12 reveals, and also Romans 6. Our life of sin dies with Jesus. By faith, we also join in His resurrection and begin a new life that is eternal and holy. His Spirit comes to live in us.”
Mr. Foolish frowns. “That is ridiculous! We do not need water to make us holy! For that we do lengthy meditation. I will sell you a book by a Hindu holy man on how to meditate. Here, look at it.”
Mr.
Wise tells about Naaman the Leper. He asks questions to help them
understand.
Please find in 2 Kings 5:1-14:
What did Naaman do to show his faith?
The river water itself did not wash away Naaman’s leprosy. God did that. But how did God use the water to bring Naaman to trust Him?
Mr. foolish fails to sell his book and leaves the house. Mr. Wise explains to Learner and Sara: “God tells us to be baptized in water. Like Naaman’s washing and the Ethiopian’s baptism, our baptism in water shows our faith. It is the first thing we do to obey God. Baptism shows that God has washed all our sins away with the blood of Jesus, as Acts 22:16 reveals. 1 John 1:7 also assures us of God’s washing.”
Learner and Mr. Wise walk to the shop, talking about baptism. “Learner, God wants you to take this step of obedience, along with your family. You should explain to Sara and your children How Baptism Unites us with Jesus Christ.”
“I
shall talk to Sara. I do not know if we are ready yet.”
Please memorize Acts 2:38.
Find in Romans 6:1-14 in what way baptism unites us with Christ.
Also in Romans 6:1-14, what should be the result of baptism in the way we live?