Good morning, and a blessed Thursday to you.

Would you open your Bibles, please, to Acts chapter 2? You may want to limber up your fingers a little today because we’ll be looking at several passages of Scripture together.

Over the past few days, we’ve seen quite a bit of rain here in Texas. Some popup storms, some longer stretches of rain — it’s May in Texas after all. Rain truly is a blessing. It nourishes the earth, refreshes creation, and reminds us of God’s provision.

But rain also gives us another beautiful reminder: the waters of baptism.

Every time we see rain falling from the sky, we can remember the incredible gift God gives us through baptism. Scripture speaks clearly and powerfully about what God does for us in those waters.

We begin in Acts 2:38:

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Notice what is connected to baptism: forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Next, we turn to John 3:5, where Jesus says:

“Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.”

In baptism, we are born anew. God gives us new life and creates faith within us.

Galatians 3:27 tells us:

“As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Through baptism, we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Himself.

In Titus 3:4–7, Paul writes:

“He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Notice the direction of salvation: God is the one acting. He saves us according to His mercy. Through baptism, He gives us rebirth, renewal, forgiveness, and the hope — the confident assurance — of eternal life.

First Peter 3 connects baptism to Noah and the flood:

“And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you… through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Baptism is not merely symbolic. God works through these waters to deliver His saving promises to us through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Romans 6:3–4 says:

“All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death… so we too might walk in newness of life.”

In baptism, we are united with Jesus in His death and resurrection. The old is buried, and we are raised as new creations.

Finally, 1 Corinthians 12:13 reminds us:

“For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”

Through baptism, we are brought into the family of God — the body of Christ.

What incredible gifts God gives us through baptism:

• Forgiveness of sins
• The gift of the Holy Spirit
• New birth and new life
• Faith in Christ
• Christ’s righteousness
• Eternal life
• Membership in the family of God

All of this flows from the victory Jesus won for us through His cross and empty tomb. And in baptism, God personally washes us in that victory.

So the next time it rains, pause for a moment. Give thanks for the blessing of the rain — and let it remind you of the even greater blessing of the waters of baptism.

Gracious God, thank You for coming to us so concretely in the waters of baptism. Thank You for washing us in Your promises, giving us new life, and making us Your own. We praise You and give You all glory and honor; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God bless you today. Encourage someone.

Pastor Eibel