Anchor Devotional
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Celebrate Baptism
“Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” Matthew 3:6
Jesus’ cousin John was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth when they were long past childbearing years. But the God of miracles gave them a son with a special call upon his life. He’d become John the Baptist, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah (see Luke 3:4). John’s message was a call to repentance, publicly declaring the turning from the old way of living and starting anew.
All these centuries later, baptism is still practiced around the world. In some instances, it requires great sacrifice to renounce the religious practice of generations and then be separated from family to follow Jesus, the true Messiah.
Celebrate those vows that were made when you were a baby, when you were a young child, or when you were an adult. Remember Peter’s words: “Repent and be baptized … in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off” (Acts 2:38-39). It’s never too late to enter the waters of baptism and celebrate new life in Jesus.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Matthew 3:1-12
INSIGHT
Jesus, though sinless, was baptized by John and entered fully into our world where He would take our sin upon Himself.
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Ecclesiastes 7-8
Psalm 66
John 6
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