Sermons From Acts - "What Hinders Me From Being Baptized?" (8:36)

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                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

            "What Hinders Me From Being Baptized?" (8:36)

INTRODUCTION

1. With the story of the Ethiopian eunuch, we have an example of 
   conversion involving one...
   a. Who was very religious, yet still lost - Ac 8:27-28
   b. Who was willing to learn, open to being taught - Ac 8:29-34
   c. To whom Philip preached Jesus - Ac 8:35
   d. Who then immediately requested and received baptism - Ac 8:36-38

2. His inquiry, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being 
   baptized?" is enlightening...
   a. It reveals that baptism in water was integral to preaching Christ 
      - Ac 8:35-36
   b. Indeed it was commanded by Christ Himself - Mk 16:15-16
   c. His apostles commanded it as well - cf. Ac 2:38; 10:47-48

3. His inquiry also raises questions that we do well to ask...
   a. What does hinder one from being baptized?
   b. What should not hinder one from being baptized?

[In answer to such questions, let's first notice...]

I. WHAT DOES HINDER ONE

   A. LACK OF FAITH...
      1. Belief in Christ as a prerequisite is clearly stated by Philip
         - Ac 8:37
      2. Jesus also stressed the necessity of faith - Mk 16:16; cf. Jn 
         8:24
      -- If one does not believe, or is incapable of belief, then that 
         hinders baptism

   B. LACK OF REPENTANCE...
      1. Repentance as a prerequisite to baptism is implied by Peter - Ac
         2:36-38
      2. It is clearly a prerequisite to having one's sins "blotted out"
         - Ac 3:19
      -- If one does not repent, or is incapable of repentance, then that
         hinders baptism

   C. LACK OF WATER...
      1. We are talking about baptism in water - Ac 8:36; 10:47
      2. A baptism that "washes away sin", because it is a burial with 
         Christ - Ac 22:16; Ro 6:3-4
      -- If there is no water, then that hinders baptism

[Of course, lack of water is rarely the issue.  God has made water 
plentiful.  It is the lack of faith or repentance that is really the only
thing that hinders one from being baptized.  Yet people often allow
things they should not to keep themselves from being baptized.  Let's now
examine...]

II. WHAT SHOULD NOT HINDER ONE

   A. PRIDE...
      1. Some are too proud to admit they need forgiveness for their sins
      2. Some are too proud to acknowledge they are mistaken about their
         need for baptism
      3. Such pride will keep God away - cf. Ps 138:6; Jm 4:6
      -- Pride should never hinder one from being baptized

   B. FAMILY...
      1. Some are concerned what their family will think
      2. Perhaps they are afraid of being disowned by their family
      3. Jesus made clear that family should not prevent us from doing 
         His will - Mt 10:37-38
      -- Family should never hinder one from being baptized

   C. PEER PRESSURE...
      1. Some are afraid of being ridiculed or ostracized by their 
         friends
      2. It was peer pressure that kept some from confessing Jesus - cf.
         Jn 12:42-43
      3. Jesus made it clear that what others think should not sway us 
         - cf. Lk 9:26
      -- Peer pressure should never hinder one from being baptized

   D. IMPROPER MISUNDERSTANDING...
      1. Some believe they do not know enough to be baptized
         a. They presume that one must know everything the Bible teaches
         b. Yet like the eunuch, most conversions in the NT occurred 
            after one sermon
         c. Jesus stated that much teaching follows, not precedes, 
            baptism - Mt 28:19-20
         d. If one is a penitent believer, willing to follow Jesus as 
            Lord, they are ready
      2. Some believe they are not good enough to be baptized
         a. They presume that they must reform themselves first
         b. But baptism is for sinners, not saints
         c. Much spiritual development occurs after salvation, not before
            - cf. Col 3:1-14
         d. If one has repented (changed their mind to serve God), they 
            are ready
      -- Improper misunderstanding should never hinder one from being
         baptized

   E. LOCATION, TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT...
      1. Some may think baptism can occur only at certain times
      2. As in response to the invitation at the end of a sermon, or at a
         special baptismal service
      3. The eunuch's baptism illustrates it can be done anywhere, 
         anytime - Ac 8:38
      4. Likewise the baptisms of the Philippian jailor and his family 
         - Ac 16:25-33
      -- The time or place should never hinder one from being baptized

CONCLUSION

1. After the eunuch was baptized, he went on his way rejoicing - Ac 8:39
   a. He believed that Jesus was the Christ, who died for his sins
   b. He confessed his faith in Jesus as the Christ
   c. Though not mentioned, we can assume that he repented of his sins

2. If you desire the same assurance of salvation the eunuch enjoyed...
   a. Then let nothing hinder you from obeying the gospel in the same 
      manner
   b. Be baptized as soon as possible, upon the confession of your faith
      in Jesus

   "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away
   your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Ac 22:16
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