After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit kept adding to the church, and not just one individual at a time. The Holy Spirit added whole families. The Pentecost promise of the Holy Spirit "for you and your children" was confirmed in household baptisms. When the Spirit opened Lydia's heart to believe the gospel, Lydia was not the only one affected. "She and the members of her household were baptized." When the suicidal jailer asked, "What must I do to be saved?" he was told, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." The man believed, his despair turned to joy, and "he and all his family were baptized."

A gospel that speaks only of a personal relationship to God but not a family relationship to God is not the full gospel. The gospel addresses households; it's normal to respond as households. Biblical faith declares, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). In the New Testament, when the head of a household was baptized, the rest of the household was also baptized. Today, too, churches should baptize not only individual converts but also family members under their care.

Baptism seals God's covenant promises to us and our children; baptism also calls for covenant commitments from us and our children. Parents who bring children for baptism commit to guiding the children in the way of the Lord. When the children are old enough to understand, they affirm their baptism by committing themselves personally God in faith, love, and obedience.

PRAYER--Loving Father, thank you for bringing us and our families into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Thank you for the seal of baptism and for life in your Spirit. Amen.