THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 16:11-15
“When she and the members of her household were baptized…” (Acts 16:15)
Lydia is a worshiper of God, a non-Jewish believer in only one God.
She was not trained in the synagogue, and so her current beliefs were mixed.
What is striking to me is how quickly she and her household are baptized.
No classes, no probation period to check her life and reputation.
What is more, they went to her house and everyone there was baptized.
Not only her children and grand-children, but their servants and families.
They respected and loved her, and everyone decided to be baptized too.
Assuming the Lord opened all their hearts too, what were their beliefs?
This experience of baptism suggests it is the first step, not the conclusion.
It does not follow teaching and church approval, it begins the faith journey.
Like this, I think we need to be much quicker in baptizing people.
After baptism is when the growing and learning together begins.
We walk with them, support them, gently challenge and encourage them.
Baptism is not the graduation, it is enrollment in the school of Jesus!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, may we be more quick and ready to baptize adults and children as Your students, and may we do a better job of supporting and encouraging them in their new relationship with You.