January 7: Acts 19:1-7
Key Verse: Acts 19:4
Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’
Devotion:
You may read these verses and think Paul is picking on John for only teaching people about repentance, but without repentance you will not get to know the Holy Spirit! When we try to teach people about God and Jesus we should not get caught up in trying to answer all their questions on the first day. Instead we should be willing to teaching then about repentance and forgiveness.
Once we have laid the ground work – just as John was doing – then we can start to get people to think more about Jesus and what He has done, pointing them in the way of what Jesus taught the disciples. None of that would make much sense to someone if they did not first get to know why this is all necessary to start with!
When Paul met these disciples they had learned the basics from John and were probably teaching others what they had learned. This is our first step as people who believe in God. Share what you know with others so they can get on the first rung of the ladder. As you grow you can share what you know with them and they can grow too.
Once you know Jesus and the Holy Spirit too, then you can share that with people who have at least been in touch with the first step of repentance. Don’t try to get people to run before they have walked! Allow Christ and the Holy Spirit to lead you forward and share what you find out...
Points to Ponder:
How did you first hear about God?
What did you repent in your heart on that first day?