Go Jump In a Lake
First Things First (part 1)


when they believed the good news ...
they were baptized... 	Acts 8:12 Amp



Part of Our Job Description


* Help People Get Baptized

So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end. 	Matthew 28:19-20 NIrV

Peter said, “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. 	Acts 10:47-48 NLT


* Think of It as Fun

Philip ...told him the good news about Jesus... As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 			Acts 8:35-38 NIV
As they traveled along the road, they came to some water “Stop the chariot!” Acts 8:35-38 NIV


He brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household.” Then they shared the word of the Lord with him and all who lived in his household. That same hour the jailer washed their wounds, and he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 	Acts 16:30-33 NLT

They went on to spell out in detail the story of the Master—the entire family got in on this part. They never did get to bed that night. The jailer made them feel at home, dressed their wounds, and then—he couldn’t wait till morning!—was baptized, he and everyone in his family. There in his home, he had food set out for a festive meal. It was a night to remember: He and his entire family had put their trust in God; everyone in the house was in on the celebration. 	Acts 16:32-34 Msg



* See It Like a Picture
 
a picture is NOT the real thing. But it reminds you of the real thing.

When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. It was a spiritual procedure—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. 	Colossians 2:11-12 NLT


* Keep a Clear Mind

God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift. It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it. 	Ephesians 2:8-9 NIrV


To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, 
he gave the right to become children of God 
John 1:12 NIV






































God has put us together as Ridgewood to:

Get Out the Good News
Gladly Glorify God
Grow More and More Godly
Give Our Gifts Generously
Gain Genuine Grace-Filled Friendships