Pentecost Week 4 - Baptism and the Spirit

Scripture Reading

*Explain the context: “In previous weeks we’ve looked at Peter’s Pentecost message. This week we’ll look at one part of the people’s response: baptism.”

Acts 2:37-41

---

Big Idea (For Parents)

At Pentecost, Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit from heaven, and baptism is one of the pictures God gives to help us understand that gift.

When Peter preached at Pentecost, he said:

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

—Acts 2:38

Earlier in the same sermon, Peter explained that Jesus had fulfilled the prophet Joel’s promise:

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh...”

—Acts 2:17

Peter also said that the risen Jesus had from heaven:

“poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.”

—Acts 2:33

Long before Pentecost, God had already connected the gift of the Spirit with cleansing water:

“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses… And I will give you a new heart… And I will put my Spirit within you.”

—Ezekiel 36:25–27

Taken together, these passages help us see one very important image in baptism: God is washing His people clean by the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out from heaven through Jesus Christ.

---

Family Reflection

(Read aloud or summarize)

After Peter preached the gospel, the people realized they had sinned against God and asked what they should do. Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus.

Peter’s preaching is full of “pouring” language. God promised to “pour out” His Spirit, and Peter said Jesus had now done exactly that at Pentecost.

The Bible had earlier connected water and the Holy Spirit in other places. In Ezekiel, God promised:

“I will sprinkle clean water on you… And I will put my Spirit within you.”

—Ezekiel 36:25–27

Baptism reminds us that Jesus cleans His people from sin and gives them the Holy Spirit. Water washes dirt from our bodies, and Jesus washes sin from His people.

Peter also said this promise was:

“for you and for your children and for all who are far off.”

—Acts 2:39

The gift of Jesus and His Spirit is good news for whole households and future generations.

---

Discussion Questions

(Choose 1-2. Adjust for age)

1- Why do you think the Bible compares sin to being dirty or unclean?

2- How do you usually feel after having been cleaned in a bath or shower—better or worse than before? What can that teach us about how God intends for us to feel about our sin after having repented and been baptized?

3- One important image of baptism is Jesus pouring out water on people from heaven. Based on this image, who is the most important actor in baptism—God or man?

---

Practice—Celebrate Christ Church Baptisms

Christ Church is planning to celebrate several baptisms during our Sunday worship this coming Sunday, June 21, 2026. The church is planning that some be administered by pouring water over the person being baptized. Others will be administered in other biblically-supported ways. Each of these different “modes” or methods of baptism involve water and, therefore, washing imagery. 

Pay attention to what is done and said during the church baptisms and reflect on it afterwards as a family.

Pray together as a family that the Spirit would work to keep those baptized always in Christ and, with repentance, washed from sin.