FENTON, MI – We are encouraging Michigan Baptist churches to set aside Sunday, October 7th as Acts 2:41 Sunday. It’s a day to celebrate the work of Christ as churches all over the state baptize new believers on this common Sunday. “Those who accepted His message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them” (Acts 2:41). If first century Jerusalem had a newspaper, the headline about the Day of Pentecost would have declared, “3000 Baptized! It was an incredible move of God!”
Early followers of Jesus were together when they heard a sound like that of a “violent rushing wind” and “saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them.” They’d never experienced anything like it. Jesus promised they would be filled with the Holy Spirit and it happened in a powerful, dramatic fashion! It was a day that changed Christianity forever.
The new church was alive with the Spirit, ready to share the Good News and it didn’t take long. Jerusalem was filled with people from all nations for the Day of Pentecost. The noise of what was happening to the disciples caught their attention. Surprised and confused, they heard in their own language followers of Jesus speaking. Peter, full of the Spirit, stood and addressed the perplexed crowd. He told them Jesus died on the cross for their sins, and rose again for their salvation. The simple, straight-forward message of the Gospel pierced their hearts and they responded by asking what they should do. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each 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).
Thousands responded to the Good News message resulting in this massive baptism service. I imagine that cisterns, pools, and creeks all around the city were used to baptize new believers. It was an incredible moment for the early church as they celebrated the saving work of Christ and welcomed new believers to the family of God. That’s what Acts 2:41 Sunday is all about. It’s a day, October 7th, for Michigan Baptist churches to baptize new believers. Imagine the joy it will bring as we celebrate the work of Christ in the lives of those who follow Him in baptism!
Here are some keys to making Acts 2:41 Sunday a success at your church:
BAPTIZE 5% - Set a yearly goal to baptize 5% of your church’s average worship attendance. It’s SMART - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Set aside some of those who follow Christ to be baptized on Acts 2:41 Sunday, October 7th.
PRAY 4 - Challenge every believer to pray for four people in their lives to come Christ. Give them an Acts 2:41 Prayer sheet to write down the names of those loved ones who need Jesus.
ENGAGE 3 - Engage your community through evangelistic events, mission service, and relational opportunities to experience Biblical community. Take Christ to the streets, the community and neighborhoods that surround your location.
SHARE 2 - Intentionally share the story of how you came to Christ 2 times with people who need Him.
LEARN 1 - Go to BSCM.org for free resources to share your faith. Learn one way to have a Gospel Conversation then go do it.
The early church celebrated as they watched God move in the lives of those who responded to the Gospel on the Day of Pentecost. The cisterns, pools and streams of Jerusalem were filled with people following Jesus in baptism. There were “amens” and tears of joy as these new followers of Christ were enthusiastically welcomed to the family of God.
Acts 2:41 was a time of rejoicing. It was a time of celebrating the work of Christ. It’s what, we as Michigan Baptists want to experience as our family, friends, and neighbors publicly profess their faith in Christ on Acts 2:41 Sunday, October 7th.
Register here to sign your church up for Acts 2:41 Sunday.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Durbin is the State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before joining the state convention staff, Mike served as Church Planting Catalyst and Director of Missions in Metro Detroit since 2007. He also has served as a pastor and bi-vocational pastor in Michigan, as well as International Missionary to Brazil.