The Foundational Commands of Jesus
Chịu phép Báp-tem
Purpose
Understanding the True Meaning of Baptism
The Bible
The Story: The Ethiopian Eunuch
26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”
34The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35Phi-líp bèn mở miệng, bắt đầu từ chỗ Kinh-thánh đó mà rao-giảng Đức Chúa Jesus cho người. 36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
Acts 8:26-40
Key Verse:
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. - Romans 6:4
Sword Method
Step 1: The Guard
Who is in this story?
There are two types of characters: real characters & fictional characters (in the parable).
- Philip: A deacon of the Church in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5), from Antioch.
- The Ethiopian eunuch: A Gentile who loved God's Word.
- Holy Spirit
Where does this story take place?
Consider the geographical location where the story takes place.
- On the road from Jerusalem to Gaza
When does this story take place?
Consider the timeframe of the story, whether a specific time or a general period.
- After the eunuch returned from Jerusalem
- After the persecution and scattering of the Jerusalem Church.
- Philip had also gone down to Samaria to proclaim the name of the Lord.
What happens in this story?
Summarize the story, condensing key events to provide an overview.
- The story recounts how Philip was sent by God to go from Jerusalem to Gaza. On the way, he met an Ethiopian eunuch who had gone to Jerusalem to worship and was on his way back home.
- Vị quan thái giám này đang ngồi trên xe ngựa đọc sách Ê-sai, Phi-líp thấy thế bèn giải thích cho quan về phân đoạn mà ông đang đọc, thì vị quan tin vào Phúc Âm của Chúa Jesus.
- Along the way, they came across a place with water, and Philip baptized the eunuch.
- Afterward, Philip was taken away by the Holy Spirit to Azotus, while the eunuch joyfully returned home.
Step 2: The Blade
What does this passage teach about God?
Focus on what helps us understand God. Who is He? What is He like?
- Đức Chúa Trời toàn tri: Ngài sai Phi-líp tới gặp vị quan – người chỉ vừa thờ phượng từ Giê-ru-sa-lem và đọc sách Ê-sai ngay phân đoạn tiên tri về Chúa Jesus,và ông đang có nhu cầu được biết.
- God communicates with people in various ways: through an angel (v. 26) and through the Holy Spirit (v. 29). He is always at work.
- The Word of God is powerful; it transformed the eunuch’s understanding (v. 35).
- Sự thành tín của Chúa được thể hiện qua Đức Thánh Linh, vì trước khi Chúa Jesus đi Ngài hứa sẽ có Đức Thánh Linh ở cùng các môn đồ, và tại đây Đức Thánh Linh đã hành động, cho thấy Đức Chúa Trời vẫn luôn hành động.
- Chúa Jesus ứng nghiệm rất nhiều lời tiên tri được chép trong Cựu Ước.
- The Holy Spirit is powerful (v. 29, 39).
Step 3: The Handle
What does this passage teach about people?
There are two types of lessons: positive lessons—to follow & negative lessons—to avoid.
- Humans are finite, unable to fully understand on their own, and need guidance in learning God's Word (v. 31).
- “Còn ai sẽ kể về đời của Người?”(35) Phi-líp đã kể cho hoạn quan về Phúc Âm của Chúa Jesus, thì chúng ta cũng cần trở nên một Phi-líp để có thể nói cho người khác về Chúa Jesus.
- Philip obeyed God, was ready and willing, preached about Jesus, and baptized others in accordance with the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20).
- The eunuch was proactive in seeking God; he was not forced.
- After being baptized, the eunuch went on his way rejoicing—this is the true joy of genuine faith.
- Everything in God’s Word can be used for witnessing, just as Philip used the book of Isaiah to explain the Gospel to the eunuch.
Step 4: Using the Sword
What lessons can be learned from this story?
Distinguish between lessons and applications. Lessons must come first; applications should be based on the lessons.
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What is Baptism?
- The term "baptism" is derived from the French word "baptême" (English: "baptism"). These words originate from the Greek term "baptisma," which is found in the New Testament Scriptures. The word "baptisma" comes from the verbs "baptizò" and "baptò," meaning "to immerse in water (completely submerged, over the head)."
- It is an affirmation, confession of faith, and testimony of belief.
- Symbolic meaning of baptism (Romans 6:4): The old self dies, and one is reborn as a new creation.
- The essence of baptism is obedience to the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20).
- Baptism involves two active participants:
- The baptizer (Philip): A believer who had already been baptized.
- The one being baptized (the Ethiopian eunuch): A person who transitioned from unbelief → seeking God → believing → receiving baptism.
Conclusion
Examination
- Bạn nói Chúa Jesus là ai?
- Tại sao bạn tin rằng Chúa Jesus có khả năng tha thứ cho tội lỗi của bạn?
- Tại sao bạn phải theo Ngài?
- Do you want to be baptized?
Application
Phép Báp-têm là một Thánh Lễ biểu tượng cho sự thay đổi tâm linh đã xảy ra trong tấm lòng chúng ta khi chúng ta phó thác cuộc đời mình cho Chúa Jesus Christ qua đức tin và sự ăn năn.
- When we are immersed in the water, it symbolizes death to sin.
- When we are under the water, it symbolizes being buried.
- Khi chúng ta trở lên khỏi mặt nước nó biểu trưng việc chúng ta sống lại một cuộc sống mới trong Chúa Jesus như cách Chúa Jesus sống lại từ cỏi chết.
Prayer
Prayer & Let us pray that:
- Cho hết thảy những ai chưa làm lễ báp-têm thì chính họ sẽ có mong muốn chịu lấy phép báp-têm trong sự vâng lời Chúa Jesus.